how to write company biography

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

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How To Write a Business Bio

Table of Contents

If you could use three words to explain your personality to someone, which words would you use? Maybe all that popped into your head was “I’m a person” or “Need a job.” If so, you’re in the right place. Writing a bio isn’t easy; it’s always a challenge to define yourself in only a few words. But don’t worry–you can do it! Not only is thinking about who you are a great writing exercise, but it’s also a powerful form of personal development. Here are some tips on how to write a business bio.

How to Write a Short Bio

Think about online bios; what comes to mind? Most people think of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Each of these platforms has a place for a short description of yourself, who you are, and what you do. It’s important to make the most of the few lines you’re afforded! You should keep your social media bios short and sweet, and remember to only include things that you’d want a stranger to know about you. This usually consists of your name, your current role, your ultimate goal, and your biggest achievement.

How to Write a Professional Bio

There are many professional sites out there, including AngelList, LinkedIn, and event sites. Each of these has space for a bio or summary section. What’s important to include in a professional bio is a mid-length description of your current role, professional goals, and noteworthy achievements. On LinkedIn especially, professional bios allow for more detail than social media bios. Here’s what you should include:

• First and last name
• Professional tagline or current role
• Personal brand or company
• Professional goals and aspirations
• A few of your most noteworthy achievements
• One fun fact about you (depending on the website)

What to Include in a Bio for Work

If you’re writing a bio for your company’s website, Slack interface, or HR system, you’ll want to share both your personality and your professional expertise. Allow your coworkers to get a glimpse of who you really are!

Anything you would put into a professional bio is also appropriate in a bio for your company. The difference is that in a bio for your company, you don’t need to shy away from personalization with personal details. You can mention a favorite hobby, the last book you read, or a person you look up to. This way, your coworkers can get a sense of who you are even if they haven’t yet worked with you.

What to Include in a Bio for Your Personal Website

If you’ve ever tried to write the “About” section for your personal website, then you know it can be a hassle. After creating a whole website about yourself, it’s time yet again to write a description of who you are.

But don’t worry; your website bio doesn’t need to be too complex. All it requires is context regarding who you are and what you’ve done. A personal website bio is a larger, open space where you can list several accomplishments and explain exactly why they’re important. It’s also nice to add a brief paragraph mentioning who you are outside of work. With this type of bio, it’s wise to add a contact form or email information so that any prospective collaborators, clients, or employers can easily get in touch. If you do include this, remember to add a clear call to action that will convince readers to contact you.

A Bio Template to Use and Customize

Even now, after reading about various types of bios, it can still be challenging to write a business bio. The words might not be flowing just yet, you might not be sure about where and how your professional bio will be used and displayed, or you may feel completely stuck. In any case, this bio template should be helpful, and variations of it can be used on any site.

• Brand or company
• Current position or function
• Overall goals or values
• Top accomplishments/milestones of your career
• Personality/hobbies outside of work
• Contact information

Bio Example

The informative short bio: heather heying’s twitter.

Heather’s Twitter bio describes her career and hobbies while also promoting her book. It also includes links to her professional websites in case any followers wish to contact her or find additional information.

Four Tips for a Great Bio

We’ve given you lots of info on how to write a bio, but that doesn’t make it easy to write about yourself. Remember, even the most confident people can struggle with self-promotion! Luckily, there are a few tips to keep in mind that should be helpful for your “about me” writing.

1. Don’t think too much.

Most bios follow a formula, and that’s totally fine. In the case of most LinkedIn summaries, professional bios, and speaker bios for events, it’s not really necessary to stray from the norm. Simply including an adjective that gives readers a clue about your personality or mentioning a fascinating achievement can make your bio fun and different. 

2. Know your worth.

Writing a bio on a huge social media platform can be understandably daunting–there is a crazy amount of people and bios out there already! But don’t fall into the comparison trap. Remember this: You’re the only one who gets to tell your story in this way, and you have inherent value. As long as you remain authentic and sincere, there’s no need to be concerned about anyone else!

3. Feel free to borrow.

We’ll admit it: Bios are often tedious and repetitive. If you discover a structure you like that stands out, then feel free to borrow it! Avoid copying someone’s bio–that’s their story, not yours–but you can absolutely mimic its structure. 

4. Get help.

You’re not the only one who is trying to create a bio that stands out from the crowd. Asking friends for feedback or using online grammar software can help you write the perfect business bio and make it one of a kind!

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How To Write A Company Bio (with examples)

You've probably heard the saying, "You only have one chance to make a first impression." Well, the same holds true for your company. When someone Googles you, the first thing they'll see is your company bio. Therefore, it's essential to make sure that it's well written and contains all the most important information about your business.

But crafting the perfect company bio can be tricky. You want to make sure it's interesting and engaging, while at the same time providing all the necessary details. It can be a tough balancing act. But don't worry, we're here to help. In this post, we'll walk you through the steps to writing a great company bio that will make a positive impression on potential customers and partners.

Why You Need a Good Company Bio

You might be thinking, "Do I really need a company bio?" The answer is yes, you do. Here's why:

Your company bio is your chance to introduce yourself to the world. It's a way to let people know what you do, who you are, and what makes you unique. A good company bio can help you stand out from the competition and make a great first impression.

People are always looking for new companies to do business with , and your company bio is a great way to get their attention. A well-written company bio can help you attract new customers and partners, and even land new jobs for your company. It's a chance to show off your personality and give people a taste of what it would be like to work with you.

Your company bio is also a valuable tool for SEO (search engine optimization). By including keywords and phrases that people are searching for, you can help your website rank higher in search results. This can result in more traffic and leads for your business.

If you're not sure where to start, don't worry. We've got you covered. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to write a great company bio.

What to Include in Your Company Bio

When it comes to writing your company bio, think of it as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the world. This is your chance to show off what you and your business are all about.

That being said, there are certain elements that should be included in every company bio. This includes your company name, logo, contact information, and a brief description of what you do. You should also include any relevant industry awards or recognition.

Next, talk about what you do and what makes you different from the competition. Also known as your company's unique selling proposition in marketing speak, differentiating yourself from competition is a great way to catch the eye of your intended audience. Finally, share your company's mission and values.

Keep in mind that your bio should be professional yet personable — companies are founded by people, not robots.

In the end, make sure that whatever you decide to include is accurate and up-to-date. Nothing is worse than reading a company bio that is full of outdated information.

Writing a Compelling Company Bio

Writing a good company bio can be tricky. You want to capture your company's essence, but you don't want to come across as boastful or self-promoting — or worse, all fluff and no substance.There is no general rule of thumb for crafting a good company bio. That being said, there are certain elements that should be included in every company bio. They are:

• Company name
• Brief description of what your company does
• Mission and values
• Industry awards and recognition
• Unique selling proposition

While there aren't any fixed recipes to writing a compelling company bio, we have a few tips that will make people sit up and take notice:

1. Introduce yourself with a bang!

"What does your company do?"

This is always the first question that gets asked when you're introducing your company to somebody. It's a boring question for sure, but an important one that can help your company stand out if crafted properly.

The hook is arguably the most important part of an article. Likewise, a strong start to your bio can make a huge difference. In a company bio, the founding story plays the role of a hook — no two companies share the same story.

To grab your reader's attention from the get-go, try weaving your answers to the questions below into a compelling story:

• Who started the company?
• When was it founded?
• What led to its founding?
• What drives you and your company?
• [optional] How did your company get its name and logo?

Not sure how to go about doing so? Here are some examples to give you a better idea.

One founding story that stands out to me is the one Mailchimp has on their website.

This evocative founding story — albeit a little long — captures the essence of the company, offering readers a glimpse into the humble beginnings of a company built by two friends who share the same goal. The writing has a personal touch to it that brings the company closer to the readers.

Another good example is from HubSpot, professionally written in third person.

In just three paragraphs, this write-up answered all the important questions listed above. Succinct, informative, and definitely powerful.

2. Tell people how and why you’re different

Let’s face it — it’s a rough world out there. To break away from the competition, you need to convince people that you have what it takes to provide the best value to them.

To start, think about the businesses or community you serve: What appeals to them? How does your product or service address their pain point? How are you better than your competitors at doing so?

Highlight the practical value that your company provides in a straightforward manner. It would be wise to not insult or put your competitors down just to sell yourself. Remember, this is a company bio, not a Reddit forum — keep the focus on your company.

Here are some pointers you can keep in mind while crafting this section:

• Who are your customers? What are their pain points?
• How does your product or service alleviate the problem?
• What have past customers said about your product or service? Why do they engage you?
• What gives you an edge over your competitors?

Here are some great examples you can emulate:

Wix knows their audience. This write-up cleverly captures keywords and useful tools that would appeal to both first-time users and long-term business clients.

Another example comes from 500px, a photo-sharing platform for photography folks.

By breaking down their USP into smaller sections, 500px highlights the value customers can get from using their platform. The copywriting is simple and to the point — no unnecessary frills.

3. Your company’s mission, vision, and values

Nothing is more important than having a clear company mission and vision that sets you apart from your competitors. Communicating this purpose to your audience is just as important. Why else should anyone choose you over the next alternative?

Your company bio should therefore tell customers the values that your company upholds and believes in. Below are some questions to guide you:

• What is one thing your company stands for?
• What is the main goal that your company is working towards?
• What is your company committed to achieving?

As above, here are some company bios that can inspire you.

We first look at everyone’s favourite fashion retailer from Japan, Uniqlo.

Terrible readability aside (please don’t use this narrow white font on grey background), what Uniqlo does well here is its clear mission statement that relates nicely with their commitment towards customers. As an added bonus, Uniqlo lists key initiatives addressing issues that they are focusing on in the year — updated annually.

Taking it a step further, Adidas has a separate webpage dedicated to their purpose and mission:

Summarised into 9 words, their main mission statement is easy to understand and remember. Using buzz words like “credible”, “inclusive”, and “sustainable” also cleverly primes readers into associating such terms with the Adidas brand as a whole.

Useful Tips for Creating an SEO-friendly Company Bio

You want to make sure your company bio is keyword rich so that it shows up in search results. But you don't want to keyword stuff it, because that will make it read like spam.

So how do you find the right balance?

Well, first of all, you need to do your research and figure out which keywords are most relevant to your business. Then, you need to incorporate those keywords into your bio in a way that sounds natural and makes sense.

You can use keyword modifiers like "best," “top,” "award-winning," "leading," and "innovative" to help you rank higher. Lastly, make sure you write in simple sentences and check for grammar and spelling — you won’t want a typo to ruin your company brand!

If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of templates and examples online that can help get you started. Better yet, you can employ the help of an AI bio writer to do it for you!

Simply give the AI a short text prompt and watch it craft a short company bio for you! You can even generate personal bios for your “Our Team” page to spice up your website.

How Often Should You Update Your Company Bio?

You may be wondering how often you should update your company bio. The answer: it depends.

If you're just starting out, then you'll probably want to update it more often, as you'll be introducing new readers to your company and its story. But if you've been around for a while, then you can probably update it less frequently.

Just make sure that you're always keeping your bio up-to-date with the latest news and events. That way, readers can get a sense of how your company is evolving and growing. And who knows, they may even be inspired to work with you!

When it comes to writing your company's bio, it's important to remember that this is your chance to make a good impression on potential customers and partners.

Your bio should be well-written, concise, and interesting — and it should tell your company's story in a way that captures the reader's attention.

Think about the key points you want to hit, and make sure your bio is tailored to your target audience. If you put in the time and effort, you can create a bio that will make people want to learn more about your company.

Happy bio crafting!

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Small Business Trends

21 business bio examples.

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Every small business owner wants their professional bio to make a statement, but the task is sometimes easier said than done. How do you summarize your entire professional career in a few sentences?

How do you highlight your professional skills and accomplishments in a way that quickly captures readers’ attention? One way to compose an outstanding professional bio is by referencing business bio examples from fellow professionals.

Professional Bio Examples

Professional bios come in all shapes and forms. Some are brief and to the point, while others tell lengthy stories. What do you want to tell profile visitors or a potential employer, nd what platform do you want to use? From an entrepreneur Instagram bio to a Twitter bio , you have more options than ever. The following professional bio examples will help you write a business bio that engages readers.

1. Chima Mmeje

Bio Platform: LinkedIn Profile

In her LinkedIn bio, freelance writer and content strategist Chima Mmeje impresses readers with a lengthy list of accomplishments. While many users’ LinkedIn Page looks more like traditional resume with lists of positions held, Mmeje’s LinkedIn summary focuses more on what she can do for clients and less on her every career move.

2. Van Jones

Bio Platform: Twitter Profile

Because of its character limit, Twitter can be a difficult profile on which to build an effective business bio. When writing a Twitter bio, professionals should focus on the keywords they want other users to know about them. A catchy tagline can be used to grab ahold of readers’ attention. In his Twitter profile bio, CNN’s Van Jones clearly and succinctly tells users who he is, and what he’s done.

3. Lena Axelsson

Bio Platform: Industry Website

Many industry professionals know their professional bios are how many clients are introduced to them and their services. In her business bio at Psychology Today, marriage and family therapist Lena Axelsson introduced her practice with a core belief rather than a personal statement. She then explains how that belief impacts her passion for healing sufferers of trauma.

4. Rebecca Bollwitt

Bio Platform: Instagram

Like on Twitter, Instagram bios can be a challenge to write because the platform limits the number of characters that can be used. How do you write a short business bio that adequately interests readers? Author Rebecca Bollwitt expanded the ideas she could communicate in her brief Instagram bio by infusing emojis into her statements, each expressing ideas in a single character.

5. Chris Burkard

Bio Platform: LinkedIn

People are naturally drawn to stories, and storytelling is an effective tool for engaging readers with a business bio. In his LinkedIn bio, photographer Chris Burkard tells the story of his career and accomplishments rather than listing them in just another a monotonous wall of text.

6. Tim Cook

Bio Platform: Company Website

Apple CEO Tim Cook ‘s professional bio on his company’s website is a great example of a traditional yet still effective business profile. Audiences can put a name to the face thanks to a large profile photo, and the brief bio clearly illustrates the history of Cook’s career.

7. Lisa Quine

Bio Platform: Personal Website

A business bio is an important component of any online portfolio. Whether it’s showcasing visual arts, written work or another craft, website visitors want to know the creator. Artist and creative consultant Lisa Quine ‘s personal website features a portfolio of her work and an effective business bio that introduces her to audiences.

Professional Bio Template

You don’t need to be a skilled writer to create an effective professional bio. Most business bios, even most of the best examples, follow a certain formula. The following can serve as a template for writing your own professional bio:

(NAME) is a (JOB TITLE) at (COMPANY NAME), where (NAME) (VERB – include an action verb that describes what you do) (NOUN – include a noun that describes what you produce) for the past (NUMBER) years, including (TASK1), (TASK2) and (TASK3).

(NAME) has (ACCOMPLISHMENT1) and (ACCOMPLISHMENT2), among other industry distinctions. (NAME) can help you meet your target goals in the (INDUSTRY TYPE) industry. (NAME) currently resides in (PLACE), where (s)he enjoys (HOBBY) and (INTEREST).

Short Bio Examples

Many platforms require professionals to list short bios, falling below a set number of characters. Other professionals opt for a shorter bio in order to most efficiently describe themselves to readers. The following short bio examples will help when writing your own brief professional synopsis.

8. Audra Simpson

Bio Platform: Company website

Professional bios are an important component of a company website. Who represents your organization? In her business bio for Columbia University, anthropology professor Audra Simpson clearly communicates her professional biography and research interests.

9. Corey Wainwright

It’s possible to capture readers’ attention and describe a professional career in just a couple of sentences. In her short business bio for Hubspot, blogger Corey Wainwright tells audiences the two most important things to know about her, covering personal interests and career accomplishments in just a few words.

10. Megan Gilmore

When you only have a few characters to compose your professional bio, it’s important to make every word count. Cookbook author Megan Gilmore effectively describes her career in just a few short words on her Instagram profile. She helps communicate ideas using emojis and strategically directs readers to her website, where they can learn more details.

11. Ann Handley

Author and professional content marketer Ann Handley knows how to make a statement. Her professional bio, listed on her professional website, uses bold and colorful text to capture readers’ attention. Website visitors quickly can grasp her accomplishments and her personal interests.

12. Sarah Haskins

Bio Platform: Twitter

Sarah Haskins ‘ Twitter profile boasts one of the shortest and sweetest business bios found on any platform. In just five words the writer lets users know who she is and what she does. You can’t get much clearer than that.

Longer Bio Examples

There are plenty of reasons to write short bios, but some situations call for greater detail. If a platform provides enough space, a longer business bio can include information about professional philosophy, personal life and professional accomplishments.

The following longer bio examples demonstrate how a busienss profile can tell a greater story than simply writing resumes.

13. Mark Levy

Consultant Mark Levy lists his own bio twice on his company website, each version highlighting different aspects of his own business and his person. In the first entry, Levy lists his credentials in just a few short paragraphs. The second business bio on Levy’s website tells a more detailed and engaging story of the small business owner’s career, and it even employs elements of humor.

14. Wonbo Woo

You might expect a unique personal brand and professional bio from a content producer, and WIRED’s Wonbo Woo doesn’t disappoint. He includes a longer bio on his personal website. In it, he tells the story of his impressive career, and he doesn’t fail to drop plenty of names of the celebrities with whom he’s worked.

Creative Business Bio Examples

An effective business bio doesn’t have to come from a template. In fact, if you’re a skilled at creative writing, you can grab a reader’s attention and impress potential clients with a creative business bio on your company page or various social media platforms. The following creative business bio examples can serve as a guide.

15. DJ Nexus

An effective bio can come in a variety of forms. On his website, DJ Nexus dedicates an entire page to the story of his career. The New England-based DJ doesn’t just list professional details, however, he also provides enough personal information to tell readers who he is.

16. Pei Jung Ho

You might expect a unique and creative professional bio from an artist, and Pei Jung Ho definitely meets that expectation. The professional designer doesn’t simply boast a website with some accomplishments and job description. Ho’s personal website opens with an animated statement in colorful and bold lettering, before transitioning to a more traditional short bio and an engaging photo of the artist.

17. Nancy Twine

Briogeo Hair Care founder Nancy Twine’s professional bio immediately grabs hold readers’ attention with her signature and photo, before telling Twine’s story. The entrepreneur’s business bio doesn’t end there. It also highlights a quote from Twine, which illustrates her professional philosophy, and it even features video content.

18. Trinity Mouzon

Entrepreneur Trinity Mouzon ‘s professional bio tells far more about her than her job title and primary responsibilities. Mouzon makes a strong personal statement in the first sentence of her bio, which she presents in first person, telling her own story. In just a couple of paragraphs, Mouzon captures her professional essence and offers unique insight into her success.

19. Alex Bishop

In his professional bio, guitar maker Alex Bishop exudes the passion he has for his craft. Beneath an artistic and engaging video, Bishop includes a business bio that speaks to his intended audience and provides more than mere professional experience. Bishop’s story make’s potential clients trust his passion for guitars, as well as his brand name and small business.

Author Bio Examples

Authors have been impressing their readers with professional bios centuries before anyone heard of the World Wide Web. Today, it’s not uncommon for authors to have websites and social media profiles promoting their works, complete with creative business bios that might or might not mirror the bios printed in their books.

20. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ‘s personal website speaks to her target audience with a traditional business bio. In it, Adichie tells the story of her background, including her childhood in Nigeria and her educational journey. Her bio then goes on to describe her work and specific accomplishments.

21. Michael Siemsen

Bio Platform: Amazon

A common place to find online author’s bios is on Amazon, where a writer’s business bio can be found on pages featuring their books for sale from the eCommerce giant. In his professional author’s bio on Amazon, Michael Siemsen details his interests, accomplishments and popular works in a few brief sentences.

What are the essential components of professional bios?

While an effective professional bio is often more creative than a traditional resume, you can write a short bio using much of the same information, including work history, new skills and professional accomplishments.

The following are six essential elements of an effective business bio:

• Name and job title
• Educational background
• Work history
• Professional accomplishments
• Interests and hobbies
• Location or contact information

How do you make your bio interesting?

How do you make your professional bio more interesting? After all, no one is going to be impressed by yet another series of monotonous bullet points. You can add some extra pizzazz to your bio by including a more personal side, as well.

Want to make your bio interesting by including information not found on your resume? Be sure to include features such as your professional philosophy or a personal statement about your professional passions. Make your bio unique by highlighting who you are outside of the workplace, and don’t forget to tell potential clients and potential employers what you can offer their companies.

Should I write a bio in the third person?

A professional bio can be written in first person or in third person. Professional and more formal bios are often written in third person, while personal and more casual bios typically use first person.

It’s vital, however, that the chosen tense is consistent throughout the bio. For example, if the bio starts off in third person, referencing the subject by name and using pronouns such as “he,” “she” and “they,” then it’s important to continue using third person throughout the entire entry.

If, however, you start your bio by referencing yourself as, “I,” or using first person, then that should remain consistent, as well.

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

• Rebecca Strehlow
• 11 min read

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain →

Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question, and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.

Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.

In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website , is much easier than you might think.

What is a bio?

Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.

In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, people place bios on the About Us page of their professional website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.

What to include in a bio

Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include:

Job title or workplace

University degree and other qualifications

Hometown or city of residence

Personal or professional goals

Mission statement and values

Skills and expertise

Interests and hobbies

The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews.

How to write a short bio

The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand:

Introduce yourself

State your company or brand name

Explain your professional role

Include professional achievements

Discuss your passions and values

Mention your personal interests

01. Introduce yourself

Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact.

02. State your company or brand name

Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

03. Explain your professional role

Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be.

04. Include professional achievements

In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table.

05. Discuss your passions and values

Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio.

Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do?

You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it.

06. Mention your personal interests

The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning:

Your family

Your hometown

Your hobbies

Side projects you’re working on

Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience.

Professional bio template

As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started:

Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description].

E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School.

Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do].

E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond.

Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements].

E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students.

Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors].

E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years.

Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university].

E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan.

Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs.

Professional bio examples

Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography.

Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms.

01. Bristol Guitar Making School

Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making:

“​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.”

He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients.

02. Alexandra Zsigmond

As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains:

"She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics."

03. Amanda Shields Interiors

Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur:

"After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design."

By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way.

Tips for writing a bio

As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep it concise: Your bio should be sufficiently explanatory, but it should also be short and to the point. A good rule of thumb is to keep each element of your bio - from your job description to your mission statement and hobbies - to about 1-2 sentences. That way, you’ll end up with a brief paragraph that holds your readers’ attention without rambling on.

Consider your audience: The voice and tone you choose for your biography largely depends on your audience and personal goals. If you’re looking for a job and are writing primarily for recruiters, you’ll want to use a serious, professional tone. On the other hand, if you’re creating an Instagram bio , consider using more casual, conversational language that reflects your personality.

Add humor: Relatedly, consider adding humor when appropriate. This is especially valuable if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website , as it can give you a distinct brand identity while helping your audience build a stronger sense of connection with your brand.

Link to your website: When writing a bio for a platform other than your own website - a social media page, another company page, or a guest blog or publication - remember to include a link to your website. This will help you promote your website while highlighting your professionalism and authority.

Adapt for different platforms: You’ll most likely need to adapt the length and writing style of your biography to suit different platforms. For example, you may place a longer bio on your website’s About page and a shorter one on your LinkedIn page. In these cases, use the same main principles for writing a bio while scaling down the most important elements.

By following these tips, you can create a powerful bio that helps you stand out in your field and allows your audience to get to know you better.

How to write a bio in four sentences or less

Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact.

But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them.

Creating a bio for your website

As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth . Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience.

Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started.

Creating a bio for social media

Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.

You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.

Writing a bio with AI

If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor .

Why good bios are important for a professional

In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression.

A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field.

Writing a bio without experience

Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations.

Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally.

If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you.

How to write a bio FAQ

What is a short bio.

A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise.

How do I write a bio about myself?

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An entrepreneur shares the exact template she used to craft an attention-grabbing professional bio

• Jen Glantz is an entrepreneur and founder of the company  Bridesmaid for Hire.
• When it comes to writing a professional bio, Glantz says there are four important topics to cover.
• Include mentions of your unique expertise and add a few personal details to help your bio shine.

After I started my first professional bridesmaid business over six years ago and officially became an entrepreneur, I found it quite challenging to talk about myself. When people asked questions about who I was and what I was working on, I often found myself stumbling over my words and answering with incomplete sentences. 

In addition to the questions, so many people — from business professionals to journalists — asked me for a bio, and I didn't have one. All I had was an outdated cover letter and resume from applying to jobs years before but I didn't have anything current that showcased a brief, but comprehensive summary, of my journey, passions, and overall professional mission. 

That's when I realized I needed to craft a bio that could be ready for inquiries from press, investors, brands who wanted to partner with me, and a long list of other people curious for an inside look at my background. Since then, I've perfected multiple versions of my bio for every situation over the years.

It takes a certain level of preparation, skill, and strategy to summarize your personal story and share it with an audience. For an entrepreneur, the art of showcasing your background, your current work, and your overall purpose can feel extremely hard to do, especially when you're trying to condense it all into a few short and concise paragraphs.  

Whether you're writing your story for the about page on your website, a press release, a speaker's packet for a conference, or to pitch future investors, creating the perfect bio should be high up on your to-do list. Here's where to start, what you should include, and what you can leave out.

1. Start with a summary

The first paragraph of your personal bio should capture people's attention, pull them into your story, and give them an overview of who you are. Think of it this way: If they only read the first paragraph, would they be able to understand a glimpse of who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique?

Consider this first paragraph as your tagline or personal brand statement. It should be short and clear — you'll dive deeper into what you're currently working on and your professional background later on.

Here's an example you can use to get started by filling in the blanks. You can change around the information based on your experience and background, but stick to the brevity of length and the summarized format of your personal details.   

[Your name] is the founder of [name of company], which provides [services or offerings], to [who is your audience or industry]. [Your name] has [experience, background, skills, etc.] and a passion for [describe your purpose]. 

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Read more: 5 costly and time-consuming mistakes to avoid when starting a side hustle or small business  

2. Explain what you're working on

Whether you're running your own company, expanding a side hustle, or brainstorming your next project or business, spend a paragraph sharing a handful of details on what you're currently working on.

Begin with what you are spending your time doing, who you want to impact or influence, what problems you want to solve with your business or project, and what makes what you are doing unique, timely, or unusual.

The template below can be easily adapted to fit your personal experience. Make this paragraph as detailed as you'd like and change what you write here based on who will receive this bio.

For example, you might want to add more details and metrics for investors and remove some of those details for a panel or guest appearance.  

[Your name] is currently working on [describe the business, project, idea, life transition, etc.], with the goal of [what's the reason you're working on this, who do you want to impact]. [Your name] noticed [describe the problem you want to solve or how you want to disrupt or change the industry you are in] and decided to [explain what you created, built, or did to help solve this problem and touch on what makes it different or unique from what is out there].

3. Share your background and expertise 

When people are reading your story, they want to understand a bit about your past experience and work history. Here, you should spotlight your background and any specific professional skills, strengths, or expertise. 

Highlight past jobs, careers, courses, degrees, curiosities, volunteer work, and anything else that relates to your purpose and story. Below is a template you can add, edit, and make work for you and your background.

[Your name] has spent [share years of experience, past careers] and has mastered [share skills or strengths]. [Your name] has also [share any additional information on your background, experience, work history, skills, courses, degrees, and more].

4. Provide additional details 

When we're writing our bio, we might shy away from adding in details that don't directly correlate to what we are working on. However, it's perfectly OK to add in a few lines about hobbies and passions that might not relate to your business — these details are often extremely memorable and help your bio stand out and sound more like you.

Feel free to add in details about what you enjoy doing in your free time, what past hobbies you've done, and what other things you enjoy on a personal level.

[Your name] can be found spending time [talk about hobbies, passions, weekend to-do's, etc.] and is also known to enjoy [add in any additional details here]. 

Watch: Designer Alexander Wang explains how he balances the business and creative sides of his global fashion empire

• Main content

How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Examples and Templates)

3 key takeaways

• What a short professional bio is and where to use one
• How to write your professional bio (plus short professional bio examples and templates)
• How to use the Teal  AI Resume Builder  to write a short, professional bio

Your professional bio is one of the most important things you'll write about yourself.

In a world where just about everyone is represented online in some capacity, your professional bio will often serve as your first introduction to your intended audience. It can help influence whether someone invites you to connect, interview you, or simply move on.

But how does your professional bio work in tandem with your resume to tell your unique story? And what are some short professional bio examples you can reference to craft your own—helping you strike the perfect balance between informative and engaging?

What is a short professional bio? 

A short professional bio is exactly what it sounds like — a short professional biography that introduces yourself and gives a brief overview of your career and accomplishment examples . A short professional bio gives future employees, colleagues, and anyone else you're networking with a more well-rounded picture of who you are.  

We recognize that “short” is a vague term and can mean many different things. But the good news is, unless you're dealing with a certain character or space limit, there is no magic length that your bio has to be. Most short bios tend to run anywhere from one to four paragraphs, but feel free to make yours whatever length you think would work best for you. 

Your short professional bio can be displayed many different places, including but not limited to: your website, LinkedIn profile, Twitter profile, in press features, and your resume. 

What should I include in a short professional bio? 

Before you sit down to write your bio, it might be helpful for you to think of it as not only a bio, but also an elevator pitch for your target audience. You want to produce a compelling professional bio. Your bio should answer the question: what would you want someone who doesn't know you at all to know about your career so far? 

Below are some thought-starters to set you up for success. 

As a working professional

Whether you've been working for six months or 15 years, consider including these in your bio: 

• Where you're based
• Where you're from
• What university, trade school, or bootcamp you attended (if any)
• Your current or former career titles
• Your career goals
• Relevant awards, accolades, or press features you've garnered
• Your professional experience, skills, and area(s) of expertise
• What you like to do in your spare time (personal interests, hobbies, side hustles, etc.) 

To make sure you're providing the most relevant skills to a potential employer, use Teal's Skills Database in the free  Skills Workbook  to identify your current skills and potential skills that you want to acquire. Once you've identified those, enter them into Teal's Skills Identifier.

As a student

Even if you're still in school, there's plenty of information you can include in your bio, like: 

• What university, trade school, or bootcamp you're attending
• Your area of study or intended major
• Any clubs, teams, volunteering, or other extracurriculars you're a part of 
• Any internships you've completed
• Your career goals 
• Your availability

How to write a short professional bio

If you're ready to begin writing your professional bio, we commend you. We've listed a few things here that you might find helpful to consider, but again, there is no steadfast formula. You can feel free to follow or ignore these suggestions however you see fit. 

‍ Choose your voice

You have the option to write your bio using either first or third person. When using first person, you will be utilizing the pronouns "I, me, and my". When using third person, you would refer to yourself using your name and preferred pronouns.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. However, as a general rule, using third person is typically considered more formal, while using first person is more casual.

First person example: "I am a bestselling author. My work has been published in XYZ publication."

Third person example: "Zane Smith is a bestselling author. His work has been published in XYZ publication."

If you want to have multiple versions of the same bio on hand, like a first person version and a third person version, our tools are designed to make this easy for you. Write as many versions of your bio as you need and rotate which one you use in which situation as your career evolves. 

Generate your professional bio with AI

You can also use our AI Resume Builder to generate multiple versions of your short professional bio. Your bio will be tailored based on the details and achievements you've included about your recent work experiences.

Try it yourself for free.

Choose your tone

Written words, like spoken speech, can embody many different moods and tones. Depending on the context and your  personal brand , you might decide your bio should sound more buttoned-up, or more relaxed, or even a little bit silly. 

These two sentences describe the same person but showcase very different tones and writing style: 

“A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Sally is currently a consultant at XYZ Consulting based out of their New York office.” 

“A recent UPenn grad, Sally swore off econ after years of hard classes only to end up as a consultant at a major firm — but don't worry, she loves it.” 

Start with your name and your current or most recent role

This is not a hard and fast rule, but to get your bio started, it's usually easiest to start with your name and current professional title or role. 

Example:  “Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company.” 

If you're transitioning between roles or switching industries , you can list your most recent role and use your first sentence to say what you're looking to become.

Example 1:  “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is actively pursuing new opportunities in marketing management.” 

Example 2 : “Previously the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company, Zane Smith is now an aspiring 2nd grade teacher.” 

Add any former titles and list relevant achievements

Once you've introduced yourself and your current title or aspirations, you can flow into your professional background, former job titles, and what you did previously. Together, the first two sentences of your bio could read something like this: 

“Zane Smith is currently the Demand Generation Manager at ABC Tech Company. Previously, he was a Marketing Specialist at FGH Tech Company where he grew paid traffic to their website by 500% year over year.” 

How can you ensure your bullet point achievements reflect your qualifications? In addition to using Teal's free Achievement Assistant tool within the AI Resume Builder , try leveraging ChatGPT for this part of the process. Just remember to copy and paste ChatGPT-generated resume achievements back into your AI Resume Builder.

Remember to personalize your bullet point achievements by proofreading and editing them, tweaking as needed using the Achievement Assistant tool.

Consider adding the “why” behind your story

Self-promotion can feel incredibly uncomfortable, but it's important to really make sure you don't undermine your own value. Your “why,” the  reason that you do what you do everyday , can be powerful and meaningful. Adding what gives you the spark to start each workday can set your own professional bio apart from others. 

Example:  “Claire was inspired to pursue a career in elder law after volunteering in a nursing home throughout high school and college.” 

Close with some personal details, if appropriate

Even though your bio will be used in a professional capacity, it's okay to list a few personal details. We're more than just our jobs, and adding a few personal facts can help illustrate who you are outside of the office. 

Example:  “When he's not working, Martin can be found tending to his spice garden and going on nature walks with his golden retriever.” 

Short professional bio do's and don'ts 

Even though there are no official rules for writing a bio, there are still some things you should try to strive for as well as steer clear of if you want to make the best possible impression. 

Be real:  Your bio is not the place to fudge the truth about who you are. Be honest about what you've done and where you're heading. Not telling the truth could bar you from achieving your goals and land you in hot water. 

Be concise:  We really hate to be the one to tell you this, but unfortunately, most people do not have the time or patience to read a five-paragraph essay about your life story. Sorry to break it to you! 

Try to keep things brief and avoid run-on sentences. We recommend running your bio through a  free clarity reader grammar-checking tool  to make sure your bio isn't too wordy or hard to understand. 

Be relatable:  No matter how lofty your accomplishments are, staying grounded may help you establish stronger connections with others. This is where adding personal details and highlighting your personal brand can serve you well. Whether that's with a  hobby, interest , or other role outside of work, being relatable can let others understand and get to know you better and determine if you would be a good fit for a company.  

Don't: 

Be arrogant:  It's both appropriate and expected for you to talk about your professional skills and accomplishments in your short bio. That being said, there's a fine line between talking about your achievements and sounding too braggy. These two examples talk about the same accomplishment but come across very differently: 

“An accomplished pianist, Ryan was selected out of nearly 7,000 applicants to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring.” 

“An accomplished pianist, Ryan was the obvious choice to perform at the annual New York State School Music Association festival last spring (because he's the best).” 

Be spiteful:  This is especially relevant if you're revising your bio  after a lay-off  or termination. As tempting as it might be, avoid making any negative statements or accusations in your bio. Positivity and a good attitude will get you much further.

Short professional bio examples

Seeing real professional bios in the wild might help you craft your bio more so than a set of guidelines will. For that reason, we rounded up four real-life short bio examples on different platforms that you can draw further inspiration from. 

Personal website bio: Audree Kate Lopez

"AUDREE KATE LOPEZ IS A FASHION STYLIST, EDITOR, INDUSTRY EXPERT AND INFLUENCER BASED IN NEW YORK. Audree began her professional career in the fashion departments at Glamour, O, the Oprah Magazine, Editorialist and Redbook magazines. She launched Audree Kate Studios in 2017 and worked on freelance projects at Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia, J.Crew and Club Monaco, joined the styling team at Alice + Olivia and became a contributing fashion editor for StyleCaster.com. Over the past few years Audree has styled for various publications, celebrities and retail brands. In 2016, Audree founded a digital course and community for fashion students called Fashion Fundamentals and has hosted workshops and classes around the country, and wrote an ebook titled Fashion Fundamentals."

Why we picked it:  Audree's professional bio does a great job at telling and humbling her story. Taking her career from her dorm room all the way to major magazines is impressive and gives readers the right impression that she's ambitious and driven. It also gives a strong overview of all of the different yet relevant accomplishments she's checked off, ranging from styling, to editing, to creating her own course. 

LinkedIn bio: Christen Nino De Guzman 

"Latina creator. Speaker. Tech Mentor. Christen is the Founder of the newly launched app Clara, a community that empowers creators through transparency, brand reviews, and discoverability. An industry vet, Christen has almost a decade of experience working with top content creators at social networking companies such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. She is a motivational speaker and mentor in the tech space who is passionate about helping people break into the industry through career advice and actionable content."

Why we picked it:  Christen's professional bio is punchy, concise, and gives her credibility. The short few sentences at the very beginning are a creative and clever way to describe who she is right off the bat. She also mentions how many years of experience she has, which at this stage in her career, is a wise move and shows that she brings a high level of expertise to her pursuits. The decision to put her social media profiles makes sense and feels true to her, given her engaged following. 

Twitter bio: Dulma 

"Founder of Makelane, a private community for female DTC founders. 70K followers on TikTok where I analyze consumer brands"

Why we picked it:  Twitter only gives you 160 characters for your bio, truly keeping it a short bio, but Dulma does an excellent job maximizing what little space is given. Dulma's professional bio clearly and succinctly states her two main pursuits: being a founder of an online community and creating content for a large audience on TikTok. 

Company website bios: Teachable

"Meet our wonderful team We're a tight-knit group of curious creatures, always learning, and constantly seeking out new perspectives and ideas. Get to know our team—they're what makes Teachable, well, Teachable."

Why we picked it : Having a short professional bio on a company website can be beneficial for many reasons. Each of the four bios featured on Teachable's company site show individuality and make the company more relatable to customers or clients. It provides an opportunity for the individual to showcase their experience, skills, and achievements, which can help build trust and confidence in potential clients or customers. These bios, with full names and pictures, allow the reader to learn more about the individual's expertise and background and can encourage networking opportunities.

Short professional bio templates

If you prefer to plug and play or need a professional bio in a pinch, don't worry, we've still got you. Here are three short bio templates to get you started:

Short professional bio template for working professionals

[First name last name]  is  [currently/formerly]  a  [insert most recent job title]  at  [most recent company name] . A proud graduate of  [school or university] , they were inspired to pursue a career in  [field]  after  [explain what led to your decision to work in your industry] . Prior to working at [most recent job title], they were the  [previous title]  at  [previous company]  where they were responsible for  [insert professional accomplishments here] . In their free time, they can be found  [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional bio template for students

[First name last name]  is a current  [year]  at  [institution]  majoring in  [area(s) of study] . On campus,  [First name]  is actively involved in  [activity name] , for which they  [insert details about what you do for the activity you're involved in] . They most recently  [interned/worked]  at  [organization name] , where they had the opportunity to  [insert details about what you did on the job] . They intend to work in the  [insert field name or industry]  after graduation to follow their passion of  [insert what you are passionate about] . In their spare time, they can be found  [insert your favorite hobbies] . 

Short professional bio template for someone with a gap in employment

[First name last name] is a [position/job title] with [number] years of experience in [specific skills or industry] . Following [briefly mention the reason for the employment gap] , [he/she/they] took some time off to focus on [briefly mention what they did during the gap, e.g., personal development, family obligations, health reasons] . During this time, [he/she/they] also [briefly mention any relevant skills or achievements acquired during the gap] . [Name] is now eager to return to the workforce and is excited to bring [specific skills/accomplishments] to [his/her/their] next role. With a proven track record of [list specific achievements or skills] , [Name] is confident in [his/her/their] ability to contribute to [specific industry/profession] and make an impact in [his/her/their] next position.

If you decide to use any of these templates, we strongly recommend you tweak it ever-so-slightly. We don't mean diving into creative writing and rewriting it entirely; just add a little bit of personal flair once you've finished plugging your details in. Add some adjectives, remove anything that doesn't quite fit with your vibe or experiences, or append some more personal details as you see fit. Feel free to work off of any one of the bios from our resume examples to get feel for how different styles can be used across roles.

Remember, as cheesy as it sounds, there's only one you. Even if you use a template, your bio should still have a small sprinkle of personal flair, if possible. 

Create your professional bio with Teal

Crafting a professional bio that effectively showcases your unique skills and accomplishments can be a challenging task. It's important to keep in mind that your bio should be concise and focused on the most relevant details of your career. If you're struggling with what to include, consider starting with the basics and keeping it simple and factual.

Remember, your bio can evolve over time along with your career, so don't be afraid to make updates as you gain more experience and achieve new accomplishments. By taking these steps, you can create a friendly and professional bio that effectively represents your personal brand.

Ready to create a full set of professional bios to get to your next career goal faster? Sign up to start using the AI Resume Builder to generate professional your professional bios directly within the platform.

Once you have your professional bio, don't forget to use Teal's free AI Resume Builder  to update your resume with your skills, latest experience, and work achievements! The job of your resume is to get you in the door. Optimizing it will help you land interviews for the next opportunities that excite you.

Use the AI integration feature within Teal's AI Resume Builder to generate achievements. To get quality, metric-driven achievements, make sure to attach a job description to incorporate relevant keywords.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a short professional bio.

An example of a short professional bio is: "Katie is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in digital advertising strategies. She has helped numerous brands achieve their online marketing goals, leading to increased visibility and 3x revenue YoY."

How do you write an impressive short bio?

To write an impressive short bio, focus on your most significant achievements, relevant skills, and experiences that set you apart. Keep it concise and tailored to your audience to engage and leave a memorable impression. You can also use the Teal  AI Resume Builder  Generative AI to craft a bio that highlights your unique professional journey and skills in an engaging way.

What is a short biography about yourself?

A short biography about yourself should concisely summarize your professional background, major accomplishments, and skills. For example, "I'm an innovative software developer with 5 years of experience in creating scalable applications, known for my ability to troubleshoot complex issues and my commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions."

Emily Polner

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A Simple Guide to Professional Short Bios (With Examples)

A short bio is practical whether you are a job seeker, a freelancer, or simply want to have a presence online. This will be the first impression a potential employer, client , or contact will have of you, so you need one that packs a punch and leaves a positive impression on your audience .

Your bio needs to be captivating for your profile to be worthwhile to recruiters. It's way easier than you might think. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips and tricks to write a useful professional bio.

What is a short bio?

A short bio provides a quick overview of your identity and career goals to the outside world. It's all about showing your audience who you are, what you've done, and what you want to do. You can see them on social media, on resumes, on personal websites, and in company team directories. Think of a professional bio as the author's biography found on the back flap of a book. Simple, right?

What to include

Most social media platforms only allow one or two sentences, so the key is to be concise. Moreover, your bio should fit your resume’s header, and you know that a resume can’t exceed a single page. The basis for any short bio is

• Your current job or education (if you’ve never had a job)
• Your personal and professional goals
• Your biggest achievement

Nevertheless, if you are planning on a resume, a personal website, or a job-seeking platform, you would also want to add the following information:

• Where you’re based right now
• Your skills and areas of expertise
• Your passions and hobbies
• Your availability

If you have no experience , just say it. Everyone has to start their career somewhere, and there is nothing wrong with that. In turn, include a sentence about yourself that might be intriguing and show determination. If you can outwit the “I’m passionate and stubborn” tribe and write something a bit more intriguing instead, you’ll catch the interest of an HR professional. It’s a given.

What you should consider for your short bio

If your bio draft is already short, to the point, and includes the bullets we outlined below, you’re on a good track. You should still pay attention to the following style suggestions:

Before you get into writing your bio, you need to find the voice that fits your needs the best. And by that, we mean first or third person . Are you going to talk as yourself, using “I” and “me”, or as someone else, using your name and pronouns? Your decision should be based completely on the purpose of your bio.

The best match for a somewhat informal bio is the first person. Talking as yourself is a great way to connect with your audience and makes you seem more approachable. It works wonders when you are trying to build a personal brand. Still, don’t overdo it. Don't start every sentence with “I”, It’ll make your writing look untidy. Using the third person is more effective in formal settings because it creates a distance between you and the reader. It’s more assertive and professional. This way, you are letting the facts speak for themselves.  

If you’re overly formal, you write a résumé instead of a resume and want to address your potential employer with very specific etiquette, you can always talk about yourself without using pronouns. This is aligned with very ceremonious settings such as academia. If you’re writing to a Computer Science department in a European university, you could describe yourself as: “Programmer with six years of experience in embedded systems, large-language models and AI research. Doctor Honoris Causa at Oxford University,” and such. If you’re consistent, it won’t read weird. And it proves that you took the time to investigate their tone, which is very positive.

2. Writing style

The words you choose to use in your bio will also affect its professionalism. You can play with the style to your liking to make it more formal, friendly, or witty. Remember to use accessible language throughout, especially when talking about your achievements. If all types of readers get the message, you’ve got yourself a winner.

The bottom line is that you should adapt. For very high-traffic websites, you can use a succinct and broad message, leaving wits aside. Now, if you’re sending applications to startups with a reputation for being laid back, you can put together a resume that has a humorous bio instead. Since having plenty of resumes for different audiences takes time, you can always lean on AI to get it done faster.

3. Be concise

The rule of thumb for short bios is to keep them short and sweet. You only have about six sentences to work with, so be sharp. To determine what information will be useful, you must consider two important factors:

• Your target audience, and
• Your goal (we’ll get onto this later)

Are you looking for a programmer position? Then include what programming languages you are fluent in and your experiences in the field. In this example, your past life as an Account Manager seems almost superfluous; however, they might be intrigued by it if you’re seeking employment that involves dealing with clients.

Your goal is getting hired, right? Most times, yes. Now, at a certain stage of your career, you might not be looking for a new job. You might want to be invited to conferences instead and build a name as a speaker, to give an example. Well, this case demands a different bio where you can flex your experience.

4. Use figures

AI resume builders got this one right. When you participate in a company, you’re part of a wider team. So if the company grew by 20% in revenue and landed an IPO while you actively worked there, you can very confidently say: “Helped a YC company grow 20% in revenue YoY thanks to our team’s scalable SaaS deployment.” You’re keeping it slightly veiled deliberately in case there’s an NDA in between. Don’t assign yourself merit if you didn’t do that, though. HR professionals are experts at spotting overinflated claims.

5. Add keywords

On social media networks and job boards, recruiters will search through keywords. Add words that are relevant to the job/role you are looking for, like “software developer”, “software engineer,” or the names of the programming languages you are fluent in. If you have a keyword-rich bio, you are one step closer to a new interview call.

6. Be authentic and don’t overthink it

To properly connect with your reader, your bio should humanize you. Mentioning some of your passions or hobbies will make your bio more relatable, and it will shine a light on your personality. In other words, be authentic, don't oversell yourself, and have fun with it. Don’t worry about trying to sound fancy or overqualified.

Real-life examples of successful bios

Our first example comes from one of the top software engineering startups in 2023 , Panorama Education ’s chief technology officer, Daniel Johnson .

“Danny Johnson loves to build organizations that deliver great software. He’s developed and led large product management and engineering teams at PeopleSoft, Oracle, Workday, and Ridgeline. In addition, he’s built organizations from the ground up across multiple functions and geographies.

He has 25+ years of experience delivering enterprise-class solutions to help customers achieve their business objectives with technology-forward solutions. Proven expertise from a disruptive startup to a global industry leader. Hands-on passion for building a lasting culture through hard work, leadership, and a focus on people.”

Notice how, even though he benefits from the professionalism of the third person, he uses the nickname, making the bio more welcoming. He accentuates his passion for software engineering and his accomplishments throughout his career. Saying he has worked on a “disruptive startup” emphasizes he’s always on the edge. In only six sentences, he shows us both his skills and his personality.

If you’re super successful, you can be very frank and go for something minimalist that still tells a story. Like Greg Brockman here, President and Co-Founder at OpenAI :

“I love to build.”

However, I wouldn't recommend doing that if you're still a rookie.

Awais Kamran’s example is great for a LinkedIn summary; unfortunately, it's too long. This will make it difficult to adapt it to other mediums, like resumes or social media. We are trying to build a professional short bio you can use and reuse in multiple settings.

Examples of short bios

“ Jennifer Hartman has a decade of expertise using the Java programming language and database development with SQL. Hartman is fluent in English, Spanish, and French and is enthusiastic about working with teams from abroad. She is detail-oriented and wants to strengthen her skills through on-the-job learning and coaching. Currently, she is searching for a remote job in software development.”

“Hi! My name is Paul, and I'm a professional software engineer with fifteen years of experience in the information technology and services industries. I've spent my career refining my talents in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, IoT, real-time analytics, and AI solution design. My favorite project was the smart solar panel farm we developed in CO to power 20,000 homes in the U.S. — I’d be delighted to chat about it."

Both examples are keyword-rich and highlight achievements and experiences rather than roles. They show glimpses of their personalities by mentioning what they are passionate about and what they are looking for in the future. See the difference between writing in the first and third person? The first example is much more aloof and businesslike, while the second is more friendly and approachable, and includes a “call to action”: let’s chat.

Understanding company culture to write a specific bio

Now you know how easy it is to make a positive first impression . Now just remember to update it as you grow and learn. And if you make it to the interview , you should practice for typical questions like “ Why do you want to work here? ” and “ What are your greatest weaknesses? ” We’re offering company reviews that allow you to glimpse into company culture. And by understanding company culture, you might predict what kind of bio will have them intrigued. So check testimonials before you send your application their way. Good luck!

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The Best Short Professional Bios (Examples + Templates)

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Summary. To write a short bio you should first make an initial introduction introducing yourself in the first or first person. Your short bio should include your brand, your accomplishments, and your values and goals. Your short bio should be one to three short paragraphs or four to eight sentences long.

Knowing how to write a concise, informative, and interesting biography about yourself can help throughout various parts of the professional process. You can use your bio to capture the attention of potential employers or clients and convince them to choose to employ or work with you.

In this article, you’ll learn more about what goes into a short bio and how to write one, and you’ll also get to see some short bio templates and examples to help you get an idea of what yours should look like.

Key Takeaways

A short bio serves to introduce you, your achievements, and what you offer professionally to potential employers or clients.

It’s important to keep your bio brief so that readers stay engaged and will remember your main points.

You may need to adjust your bio for different audiences, as your clients may want to know different information than a recruiter would.

Talk about your skills and accomplishments in your bio, but don’t exaggerate them.

What Is a Short Bio?

How to write a short bio, what to include in a short professional bio, short bio examples, short bio templates, tips for writing a short bio, writing a short bio faq.

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A short bio serves as your introduction to the professional world. In terms of finding or expanding on your job, a bio will cover your:

Work history

Achievements

Any other relevant professional information

Think of it as a professional memoir that a hiring manager or consumer can read and understand quickly. It’s usually about one to three paragraphs depending on experience.

There’s an emphasis on being succinct when it comes to writing a professional bio. This is because a bio is supposed to be a preface to attract recruiter attention and incline them to reach out for more information. Many readers will get lost or bored with a lengthy bio.

Using a short bio can be helpful across very different industries, from marketing to accounting, from psychiatry to sales.

You’re probably familiar with providing short bios on social media websites and applications. While the information and skills you include in a professional bio may differ, the general formatting is similar.

There’s a lot of considerations to take into account when writing a short bio, and it can quickly become intimidating. Deciding what information is relevant and how to keep it near 140 characters is no small task.

If you’re having difficulty writing a short bio, follow the outline below to craft an introduction that engages your reader.

Make an initial introduction. You can’t jump right into everything you’ve done and what you want to do in the future before introducing yourself.

Your bio’s first sentence should begin with your full name in the third person or introduce yourself in the first person and continue to briefly outline your most notable skills and accomplishments. It’s a good place to state your current job and employer.

Go deeper with what motivates you. Once you’ve catchily illustrated who you are in your short bio, you can use the second sentence to describe your motivations for your work.

Stating what drives you to do the work you do is essential to employers and customers alike. Whether you work as a physician or fitness consultant , there’s a reason why this is your profession, and you should explain that in your short professional bio.

Describe your accomplishments. Your short bio is for detailing why you’re the ideal candidate to be trusted with handling an employer or consumer’s business. By describing your prior accomplishments, you let them know what you could offer as an employee and how you’ve succeeded in the past.

While you should avoid sounding braggy, the reader is looking for information about what your qualifications are , and your accomplishments generally measure these qualities.

Even though you could probably go on for ages about the details of your accomplishments, save that for an interview . In a short bio, only include the most impressive of your achievements to outline.

Accomplishments relevant to a short bio could include:

Impressive results on a project

Former promotions

Awards received in your field

Certifications received

Include contact information. The purpose of a short bio as either a business or a job seeker is to inspire the reader to reach out. Without contact information, this pursuit becomes futile. Make sure your short bio has some way to contact you at the end.

Relevant contact information may include:

Phone number

Professional networking profile

A short professional bio includes:

Your full name. You can choose to write your bio in the first person (I, me, my) or third person (he, she, they), but either way, you need to include your full name at some point. Branding doesn’t work so well without a brand name (i.e., you!)

Your brand. Of course, if you have an actual brand that you’re trying to market, you should include the brand name as well.

What you do. Summarize what you want the reader to know about what you do in one sentence — tricky, we know.

Your accomplishments. For a short bio, you can stick with just one major accomplishment from your professional life. Or, if you have a string of impressive achievements, try condensing all of them down to one sentence.

Your goals and values. Let the reader know what makes you tick — why do you do what you do and what do you hope to achieve with your work? People are compelled by a story more than anything else, so it’s important to get this part right.

Something personal (optional). If you have a quirky tidbit about yourself you’d like to include, go for it. Just make sure it doesn’t throw off te the tone of the rest of your bio.

Contact info (optional). If your bio is serving as a call-to-action to drum up business or get leads on job opportunities, it makes sense to include your contact information at the end of your bio. It’s not necessary if that information is available elsewhere on the page , though.

Entry-Level Job-Seeker Bio Example

Mitchell Morrison is an upcoming video producer and editor who believes in the art of visual organization. He is a recent graduate from the University of Washington and focused on post-production during his time studying there. He was introduced to the magical world of visual art production by watching his father work on editing commercials growing up and has been working towards his dream of becoming a video editor ever since. During his last year of college, Mitchell participated in a competitive internship with Digital Space Films. He was chosen out of 2,000 applicants based on his academic portfolio and personal statement essay. This internship was an incredible learning experience and resulted in three professional accreditations for music video editing. Mitchell currently lives in Seattle, Washington pursuing freelance opportunities and spending time with his Dog, Pikachu. To get into contact with Mitchell: MitchellMorrisonVideo.com/contact

Working Professional Website Bio Example

Lisa Kennedy is an experienced real estate professional. She knows how important a home is for long-term happiness and has invested her career in putting people in the house they’ve always dreamed of. Lisa was driven to pursue real estate from her passion for helping people during life-altering times, and a keen interest in high-end, luxury homes. She’s been working in the real estate industry for ten years and in that time has assisted over 3,500 people in finding homes. She was educated at the University of Los Angeles with a bachelor’s in business management. She’s worked for some of the most respectable Real Estate companies in Los Angeles and individually under her agency “Kennedy Homes.” Lisa has also been published in Real Estate Quarterly Magazine as the 2017 winner of the “Top Luxury Home Seller” award. Lisa loves the culture of Los Angeles and has been living there with her family of five since she graduated from college. She enjoys spending her free time exploring towns along the West Coast and swimming. If you’d like to get in touch with Lisa: Email: [email protected]

Professional Networking Profile Bio Example

Bianca Jones Marketing Manager Miami, FL The first step towards customer satisfaction is being reached by stellar product marketing, and that’s what I aim to provide. My professional experience as a product marketing manager has allowed me to assist many organizations in improving their sales margins and audience response to emerging products. I’ve brought dedication and positive results to the companies I’ve worked for because I am passionate about product perception, marketing, and business statistics. What drives a product to success interests and inspires me. I specialize in long-term growth strategies and audience outreach. In addition to eight years of experience in professional product marketing, I have also published two books on creating a career as a marketer called “What to Do After Your Bachelor’s” and “A Marketer’s How-To.” If you’re interested in learning more about how to market your business better, or just discuss more, feel free to contact me by email at [email protected].

Your first choice is whether you want your bio to be written in the third person or first person. These short bio templates show both options, and also include different ideas for what to include, and how. Feel free to pick and choose your favorite parts of each of the two.

[Full Name] is a [job title] who [believes/knows] in the power of [what you do]. [He/She/They] began their journey in [field] by [how you got started in the field], and now dreams of [what you hope to accomplish]. [His/Her/Their] biggest accomplishment to date has been [your biggest accomplishment]. [Full Name] lives in [where you live] and participates in [a hobby/interest]. To get in touch with [Full Name], call/email/message me on [how you’d like to be contacted].

I am a [job title] who helps [who you help] [what you help them do]. It’s my belief that [your unique perspective on the field]. In the past [# of years] years, I’ve [major accomplishment #1] through [how you accomplished it]. I have a passion for [your professional passion], but on the side, I also enjoy [personal passion]. Get in touch with me today at [contact info] — I look forward to talking with you about [what you want to talk to your readers about].

You have a firm grasp of the structure of a short bio and what to include. Now, you may need some tips for how to polish your short professional bio and make it stand out from the competition.

Be mindful of length. While you’re probably getting sick of hearing that your bio should be short, it’s good to keep in mind throughout the writing process. It’s easy to go off on a tangent while trying to include everything relevant or rationalize, making your bio too long.

Avoid this impulse. The point of a bio is that it’s limited. You want to intrigue the reader enough to inspire them to seek more information about you or your services.

Tailor your bio to your intended audience. Whether you’re using a short bio to attract a particular customer base or potential employer, tailoring it to fit their wants and needs is crucial. Consider your intended audience base and what they’re looking for in a candidate or service.

Be genuine. Your short bio should be an authentic representation of your traits, experience, and personality. People are repelled by what they interpret as stretching the truth. If you’re being received as disingenuous by the reader, they’ll probably move on.

Proofread. The only way to steer clear of errors in your short bio is by proofreading it. Imagine a hiring manager being completely interested in your bio.

They love what you have to say about yourself and find your prior experience enticing. That is, until they come across a mistake that clearly shows you didn’t do proofread or edit.

Include links to your portfolio, website, or networking profile. One way to circumvent the confining factor of keeping your bio short is by including links to more detailed sources.

This can be in the form of linking your portfolio or website to allow the reader to go deeper into your discussed skills if they please, without taking up more space in your bio.

Implement these links seamlessly into your bio by attaching them to anchor words that describe what clicking will lead them to.

Add some personality. You aren’t the only person who has an impressive list of accomplishments to put on a bio, so you’re going to need to find some additional ways to make an impression.

What should a short bio include?

A short bio should include your name, what you do, and your achievements. You should also include your company or product’s brand, if you have one, and your goals and motivations for doing what you do. This humanizes you and helps you stand out from the rest of the pack.

How long is a short bio?

A short bio is typically one to three paragraphs long. These should be short paragraphs though, as other experts say that between four and eight sentences is the ideal length for a short bio.

What makes a good bio?

A good bio is succinct and memorable. Readers don’t want to spend long reading about your professional and personal life, so go back and cut it down to the important parts multiple times after you draft it. You might be surprised at how little you actually need to include.

What should you avoid putting in a short bio?

You should avoid including anything negative or arrogate. It’s never a good idea to write anything negative about previous jobs or employers. Only include positive things in your professional short bio.

It’s important to include your achievements in a short bio, but there is a fine line between mentioning your achievements and bragging about them. Stick to the facts when talking about your accomplishments.

Fremont University – Building Your Professional Bio

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

Careers Leadership Apr 15, 2024

The path to the boardroom can be opaque. here’s a roadmap., an expert offers 6 tips for becoming board-ready..

Victoria Medvec

An organization’s board of directors provides critical oversight and a strategic vision. But what does it take to become a part of this influential group?

Ambitious professionals often have a good sense of how to prepare themselves for the next step in their careers. But if that next step is the boardroom, the path can seem intimidatingly opaque. After all, you don’t exactly encounter board-membership opportunities on LinkedIn or via your local job board.

But in a recent The Insightful Leader Live webinar, Victoria Medvec , a professor of management and organizations at Kellogg, helped to illuminate the process. Medvec leads the Kellogg Women’s Director Development Program , which has prepared over 800 women for board opportunities; she has also sat on several boards herself. Drawing on this experience, she offered concrete advice for navigating the journey to the boardroom.

Here are some highlights from her presentation.

1. Draft your board bio

Before you can begin a board search, you will need a board bio. This one-page document should tell a story about who you are and the skills you’ve acquired that would make you a valuable board member.

“A board bio is not a resume. It is not listing and describing everything you have ever done. Instead, it is a description of what you would bring to the board,” says Medvec.

She cautions that the skills that will make you an attractive board member are different from those that make for a strong executive.

“Your ability to interact well and listen and give advice are much more critical than your ability to lead a team of 3,000,” she says. “So you really want to think about: What are your unique competencies around strategy, CEO succession and planning, fiduciary responsibility? What would you bring into that boardroom, and what proof points do you have that you can really operate at that director level?”

It’s fine to start with a general template, but you will also want to tailor the bio to a given opportunity. For instance, one pharmaceutical board Medvec was considering already had several members who were scientists. But the firm had just conducted an IPO, so she tailored her bio to highlight her commercial experience.

But whatever you do, don’t go hunting for board opportunities without at least your template in hand.

“The most common thing people say in any conversation is, ‘Send me your bio, send me your information,’ and you don’t want it to take 6 weeks for you to follow up on that request,” she says.

2. Find a realistic fit

Something Medvec asks everyone she mentors is what sort of board they want to join. Often, they will mention a company like Apple or Google, which is understandable—but might also be a bit unrealistic.

“Unless you’re a sitting CEO of a very large public company with a lot of knowledge in an area that would be interesting to that board, it’s unlikely that you’re getting that big-, high-name board,” she says.

But worry not, because those big-name boards are actually just a small sliver of the opportunities out there. There are private-equity boards, startup boards, family-business boards, and even nonprofit boards. And you never know where interesting opportunities will arise. Medvec likes to share the story of a former CEO in the energy sector. The first board opportunity she was offered was at a gravel company. “She’s like, ‘Gravel? Who could get excited about gravel?’”

But she also knew that, given her background, she had a lot to offer the board. She also noted that the other board members were an impressive group, who could potentially connect her to other opportunities if she performed well on this one. So she accepted, and it worked out well for her. “That first board led to many, many, many other boards,” says Medvec.

3. Get your company’s blessing

Once you’ve readied your bio and considered where you might fit, you’re getting close to being ready to search for that first opportunity. But unless you are self-employed or retired, you will want to get your CEO’s blessing before you do anything else.

“Do not make the mistake of not having a conversation before you pursue opportunities,” says Medvec.

One useful way to approach that conversation is to explain how board membership will develop your skills, which in turn will benefit the organization. Moreover, talking to your CEO doesn’t have to be an obstacle; they might even be willing to connect you to a potential opportunity. “Think about it. Your CEO may serve on boards, your company’s sitting directors may serve on other boards. There’s a huge opportunity in that,” she says.

4. Lean on your network

Now it is time to reach out to your contacts for advice, express your interest in a board seat, and network, network, network. “You don’t apply for a board. It’s not like you’re sending in your application. So normally someone is recommending you,” says Medvec.

She points out that even when a search firm contacts you, it is often because someone in your network mentioned your name. So it’s time to rekindle old connections and forge new ones.

5. Sell yourself

Let’s say you’ve landed an interview. Congrats! But as you prepare to meet with company leadership and the other board members, remember this: much like your board bio is not your resume, your board interview is not your standard job interview.

“Your job in the interview is not to focus on highlighting your qualifications. The key in the interview is to highlight your fit with the other board members and how you might complement the existing board, how you might bring something unique to that situation,” says Medvec.

The fact you’re being interviewed at all shows that you’re qualified for the role. So instead, focus on how you’ll be able to collaborate with and complement current board members.

6. Evaluate the position before you accept it

Medvec says that as difficult as it is to get on a board, it’s even harder to get off. After all, if a director leaves a board soon after joining, that can have serious consequences, including impacting the share price of a public company.

So before accepting that spot on the board, do your due diligence. Ask to see meeting minutes and, of course, look out for blatant problems, like fraud. Try to suss out as much as you can about how the board operates and whether it is able to steer the organization. What are you signing up for?

“Some people might just want a rubber-stamp director who’s just going to approve, approve, approve, approve. I personally would never want to be on a board where I was a rubber stamp,” says Medvec. “I want to be active in the discussion.”

Another tip? “I always like to ask the question, ‘Give me an example of a time where the board and the CEO disagreed and what happened.’ And my worst answer that I could get would be it never happens. Because if it never happens, it’s a sign that CEO is probably not encouraging board debate.”

For more advice on joining a board, watch the entire webinar here .

Adeline Barry Davee Professor of Management & Organizations; Executive Director of the Center for Executive Women

Kellogg Insight Editorial Team

How to Write a Project Manager Job Description: Important Skills and Role Responsibilities

Project managers can be considered the parents of professional projects. They coordinate with internal and external teams to ensure deliverables are transported on time and under budget. They’re flexible but hold high expectations and aren’t afraid to put their foot down if someone is slacking or falling behind on their assignments.

Project managers are exceptional communicators and multitaskers, constantly assessing risks, establishing budgets and meeting deadlines — all while maintaining the utmost professionalism no matter the inevitable and unexpected hurdles that arise throughout the project lifecycle.

If you’re looking for a parent for your next project — and you wouldn’t be reading this article if you weren’t — let’s cover the basics of what makes for an exceptional project manager job description .

Access our entire library of templates for your open roles.

Table of Contents

• What Does a Project Manager Do?

Project Manager Skills and Responsibilities

Project manager salary information, project manager job description template.

• Five Project Job Description Examples

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Project managers are responsible for coordinating and executing professional projects. This role generally requires a few years of experience alongside a bachelor’s degree in business, customer success, marketing, English, communications, journalism or technology or the equivalent in professional experience.

Project managers can be found across industries and markets and may be employed for the duration of a project or full-time for ongoing projects. As they advance in their role, project managers may be responsible for onboarding, training and mentoring new hires. The career path of a project manager may lead them into a role as a program director, a senior manager or even the C-suite.

What Is a Project Manager?

As an ambassador for your company and team, project managers must maintain the utmost professionalism and transparency throughout the entire project lifecycle to build client relationships and maintain trust.

Project managers typically utilize dedicated technology to stay organized, and while there is an endless supply of project management tools available, there are a few common offerings to be aware of when talking with candidates.

• Google Apps

Read Next Talent Hunting? To Get the Best, Pay for the Best, No Matter Where They Live.

As with any role, project managers must possess certain abilities to succeed, and it starts with exceptional communication skills . Because they work with a variety of people both internally and externally, they need to know how to keep everyone informed of deadlines and adjustments. This includes regular check-ins, documenting scope change, sharing updates and tracking progress.

Project managers must also be able to adequately gauge project requirements in order to provide their team with the necessary time and resources. Setting a project’s budget is not easy, so many companies look for experienced candidates to fill project manager positions.

Finally, project managers must be masters of risk assessment. This role is incredibly dynamic, and when issues arise — as they inevitably do with any project — they need the confidence and decisiveness to make adjustments on the fly.

Top Project Manager Skills

• Effective and efficient communication.
• Able to work with a variety of people.
• Can gauge project requirements to budget time and resources.
• Risk assessment.
• Decisiveness and confidence in their decision-making.

There’s an essential and often debated topic that needs to be covered — including the salary information on your job description . In the end, it comes down to two options. 

• Option 1: Remain transparent from the get-go and provide salary before you and the candidate invest time and resources into the hiring process.
• Option 2: Wait several weeks or even months until you’ve narrowed down the ideal candidate and offered them the position only to find out that your salary does not align with their expectations.

In the event that you chose option one — the wise and clear choice — we’ve included the average salary information for project managers in six of the top employment markets nationwide. Feel free to further your research by clicking on the links below.

• Boston : $95,633
• Chicago : $95,732
• Colorado : $93,884
• Los Angeles : $102,585
• New York : $97,405
• Seattle : $104,061

Average salary in the United States for a project manager: $93,245.

Further Reading 5 Pay Transparency Myths Debunked

There are a range of responsibilities and requirements common among project managers. Here’s a template we’ve created that you can alter as much as you’d like to reflect your specific role and company. Be sure to include a splash of your unique culture and personality to make it stand out from other project manager job descriptions.

Company Bio

Use this section to provide a high-level overview of your company, culture, perks and benefits, career development opportunities and anything else that will get candidates excited about your company.

Responsibilities

• Define project timeline, draft proposals, establish budgets and maintain project documentation throughout project lifecycle.
• Coordinate between internal teams and external resources, communicating guidelines and deadlines clearly, effectively and consistently.
• Assess risk throughout project lifecycle and anticipate internal, external and client needs and readily implement issue resolution with project stakeholders.
• Coordinate among internal teams to delegate and prioritize tasks and conduct status updates and check-ins with individual team members to ensure completion of tasks.
• Provide regular project status check-ins, progress tracking and updates on deliverables with internal teams, external resources, clients and stakeholders.
• Manage client relationship throughout project lifecycle and uphold high standards for individual contributors, holding everyone accountable for their deadlines.
• Partner with internal teams, including Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Customer Success and Consulting teams.
• Support new team members with onboarding, mentoring, planning, budgeting, implementation and consistency with messaging, tone and overall quality control.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Technology, English, Communications or Journalism or the equivalent in experience.
• X years of project management experience in the [insert industry].
• Experience managing scheduling platform, like [insert platform].
• Strong written, verbal, presentation and overall communication skills.
• Excellent multitasker able to work both independently and on a team.
• Prior experience managing a team.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster®(CSM®) certified a plus.

Read More 7 Tips for Building an Inclusive Team

Five Project Manager Job Description Examples

Now we’re going to dive a bit deeper with a few real examples of project manager job descriptions that we’ve sourced from our online communities .

You’ll notice that we’ve redacted some information to maintain the privacy of the companies that originally posted them.

1. Project Manager With Software Experience

Are you an experienced Project Manager ready to make a real impact at a fast-moving organization? The role of the Project Manager is to coordinate and execute all aspects of all concurrent projects, from the concept stage to its successful completion. This includes generating project documentation, creating/tracking tasks and workflows, managing priorities and requests, managing risks and impact, providing project support/direction and maintaining a master schedule of all projects and activities.

The Project Manager will also be required to create and maintain clear channels of communication with both internal and external stakeholders. The goal of the Project Manager is to ensure that the project is delivered on time and within budget while maintaining a high level of quality.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner, support and collaborate with management in designing, implementing, evaluating and managing assigned projects.
• Proactively supervise and implement project plan to ensure project is on-schedule and on-budget.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to meet project requirements, as defined by the project scope.
• Define and mitigate overall project risk through conflict and issue resolution with the project team and stakeholders.
• Keep stakeholders informed of project status and deliverables, as well as risk and mitigation strategies.
• Be accountable for project results of staying on-budget, on-schedule, and meet or exceed expectations.
• Convert requirements into tasks and determine task priorities for individual team members and the project as a whole.
• Ability to create and edit project documents, materials, and presentations.

Who You Are:

• BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience
• 3 - 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in [redacted] or project management
• Experience managing Kanban, Scrum, and other project types
• Experience working with Atlassian’s JIRA, Confluence, and Google Apps
• Ideal candidate is enthusiastic, willing to identify disorganization and bring the right partners together to drive clarity of purpose
• Experience working in business systems such as Salesforce and NetSuite is a plus. [redacted] experience a plus
• You enjoy providing mentorship, learning, and being collaborative in cross-functional teams. You seek perpetual growth

2. Client Relationship Project Manager

[redacted] is seeking an experienced Project Manager familiar with [redacted] to join our growing [redacted] team as a Project Manager in one of our corporate offices. The Project Manager (YOU!) takes the lead in ensuring project success from the point the project starts through to completion.

The Project Manager proactively and professionally manages the client relationship and helps guide the client through their [redacted] projects with the [redacted] team. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to join an exceptional group of professionals dedicated to exceeding customer expectations in the management of complex projects and delivery of effective sales and use tax compliance projects.

Job Duties:

• Responsible for the overall planning, direction, coordination, execution, control and completion of assigned projects.
• Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring that clients’ expectations are in-line with project service scope.
• Develop and deliver to customers a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress.
• Actively monitor client projects and solve problems to keep projects moving forward. Report and escalate issues as needed.
• Leverage strong analytical expertise to fulfill jurisdictional requirements.
• Successfully manage the relationship with the client, [redacted] team, internal and external [redacted] partners, and all stakeholders.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
• Work strategically and independently with internal and external groups on multiple simultaneous projects.
• Assist internal team members with developing and enhancing process procedures.
• Support the sales and account management teams in selling [redacted].
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications (absolute must haves walking in the door):

• Strong ability to understand and conceptualize [redacted].
• Experience working with clients at all organizational levels with a high degree of professionalism and business acumen.
• Strong ability to articulate process logic and technical concepts including building and delivery of technical presentations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required with a demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Teamwork-oriented with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and business development.
• Ability to think strategically, solve problems effectively and tenaciously follow-through to ensure client success.
• Results-oriented with strong people and time management skills, highly organized, motivated and driven to succeed.

3. Digital Marketing Project Manager

[redacted] is seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage the fulfillment and delivery of holistic digital marketing solutions for [redacted]. This individual should be comfortable managing multiple projects in parallel and ensuring product scope aligns with client objectives. An ideal candidate will be familiar with the various components of [redacted] and understand how each component contributes to [redacted].

Responsibilities:

• Work with a wide range of clients/industries to manage campaigns with project components across multiple teams (Sales, Solution Architects, Digital Marketing Services)
• Collaborate with sales, marketing and strategy teams to define deliverables and effectively manage client expectations
• Guide appropriate team members through onboarding, planning, implementation, quality control and launch phases for each client/project; working with stakeholders to define functional and technical requirements
• Manage client calendars, project budgets, product scope and various work assignments
• Deliver regular status reports to management and clients
• Effectively communicate and manage expectations of internal and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle; overseeing all client communication as it applies to the project
• Manage [redacted] Social Media programs
• Fosters a positive working relationship with advertisers, agencies, sales and operations teams
• Develop expertise in CRM, Adit, AX, SharePoint, SAVO, Basecamp and other software or other tools [redacted]

Qualifications:

• BA/BS with a focus in business, marketing, or technology; MBA preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience with a minimum of 1 year managing [redacted]
• PMP and/or CSM certification preferred
• Understanding of native business and content space
• Experience managing medium to large projects [redacted]
• Knowledge of paid social media; experience running paid campaigns is preferred
• Candidate must be highly motivated, proactive, organized and have the ability to manage concurrent projects and interface with external clients in a fast-paced environment with a high level of accuracy
• Candidate must possess excellent leadership, organization, communication and time management skills

4. Technical Project Manager

Our ideal candidate is a [redacted] with a sense of humor, who can quickly learn new technology and ensure smooth implementation of customizable frameworks. If you’re a hyper organized go-getter with an uncanny ability to ‘talk tech’ with non-technical folks, we’re looking for you!

• Work closely with our Engineering team to launch projects on time while exceeding client expectations
• Clearly communicate complex technical concepts with non-technical client contacts
• Stay one step ahead by anticipating clients’ needs, as well as the needs of internal teams
• Manage a multitude of projects at once, ensuring that all details are gathered and clearly communicated
• Review PSD files and ensure details and specs are in place for handoff to internal developers
• QA initial development builds and effectively communicate required changes to engineering team
• Manage timeline for development and communicate any changes proactively to clients to ensure successful project launches
• You have 2+ years Technical Project Management or related experience
• You have a high-level understanding of how the web works (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.)
• You’re a master at meeting deadlines and thrive when handling multiple projects at once
• You’re upbeat, friendly, and superb at managing clients, particularly in high pressure situations
• You’re incredibly organized, detail-oriented, process driven, and resilient
• You’re self-motivated, enthusiastic, and independent with exceptional problem solving skills
• You’re scrappy, think on your feet, get tech, and communicate effectively

5. Strategic and creative Project Manager

[redacted] team is looking for a [redacted] PM to join us as we expand our role from proposal writers to content creators and Project Managers. You will be responsible for evaluating inbound RFPs to determine whether to bid, helping ensure we are focused on providing exceptional partnership for strategic opportunities. The [redacted] PM will create draft proposals and provide project oversight including establishing timelines, coordinating and delegating assignments, and conducting status updates/check-ins with the response team.

The [redacted] PM is also responsible for contributing to the maintenance and expansion of [redacted], identifying areas for growth and creating new [redacted].

This position offers the opportunity to work in an exciting and dynamic environment, collaborate with a variety of departments, and combine technical knowledge developed on the job with creativity to produce professional materials for internal and external customers.

• Perform intake and evaluation of submitted RFPs and Information Security questionnaires; work with cross-functional response teams to make go/no-go bid determination
• Provide end-to-end project management for the response process; maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders to clarify expectations, communicate roles and responsibilities, and ensure timely delivery of response
• Generate draft proposals in response to customer requirements; work closely with cross-functional subject matter experts to complete all required proposal sections; edit to ensure grammatical and technical accuracy, as well as to ensure consistency of messaging, tone, voice, and brand throughout the proposal
• Create Statements of Work and accompanying quotes for sales of [redacted]
• Contribute to evolution of proposal strategy, including competitive analysis and win theme development
• Develop and maintain a broad understanding of [redacted] complete portfolio of products and services

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience and 2 years of professional experience required; degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills
• Ability to partner well with stakeholders across multiple internal functions, primarily Sales, Sales Engineering, and Consulting teams
• Strong knowledge of MS Office required; experience with Salesforce is preferred
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines
• Eagerness and ability to learn

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Blogs / For Writers / How to Write an Author Bio (with Examples)

How to Write an Author Bio (with Examples)

You’ve done the hard part. You’ve written your novel, self-edited it, and sent it off to a professional editor (hopefully, a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor —wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Now it’s time to write your author bio.

My what now?

That’s right! You’re going to have to talk about… *gulps* yourself.

But Shane, you cry in a fit of writerly existential angst, what exactly is an author bio, and what do I put in it? Honestly, I’m pretty boring, and people don’t really want to know about me, do they?

Au contraire, my author chum!

But fear not. By the time you’ve finished reading this, you’ll be able to write your author bio with confidence and ease.

What Is an Author Biography?

An author biography is a short summary of you and your life, your credentials, and your writing. It is the first thing agents and readers will learn about you, so it’s essential that it reflects you well.

Is an Author Biography Important?

In a word, yes.

Unless you’re a mega-famous author like Stephen King or Nora Roberts, nobody is going to know who you are and (more crucially) what you write unless you tell them.

Your author bio is a great tool for sharing the key facts (and personal tidbits) readers need to know about you before deciding whether they know, like, and trust you enough to buy you books.

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of all things author bio.

What to Include in an Author Bio

Your author bio should include:

• The Essentials: Readers need to know who you are and what you write, because if you write fantasy and they read romance, you’re not the right fit, and you want to attract all the fantasy readers
• Successes, Qualifications and Accolades: This is not a spot to humble-brag, because no-one likes that, but you should mention one or two key achievements to help build credibility with readers
• Personality: Share something personal with the reader, and give them a taste of what makes you, well… you

Now you know the what, let’s check out the how, and put your author bio together.

How Long Should an Author Bio Be?

Think of your author biography as an elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is roughly 30 seconds in which you need to get across who you are and your key points.

So, how much can you say in 30 seconds? Roughly 60-100 words. But really, the shorter the better. Your author bio short be simple and concise.

5 Tips for How to Write an Author Biography

Book bio tip #1: less is more.

The trick to crafting a great author bio is to keep it brief. Remember, your author bio gives the reader a snapshot of your author-self and should get them interested in reading your books.

Readers attention spans are short.

Want a challenge?

See if you can condense your author bio down to 100 words.

You can stop glaring daggers at me now.

You should be able to tell readers everything they need to know in 100 words. Remember, this is not war and peace. If you want to sell yourself make it short and snappy.

Save the mammoth word counts for your novels.

Book Bio Tip #2: Write in Third Person

While you would think writing your author bio in the first person draws readers in by giving it that intimate touch, using first person here just looks strange.

Go look up all the best-selling traditional and indie-published authors in your genre and you’ll see they write their author bios in third person. Readers are used to seeing third person author bios. In other words, they trust a third person author bio.

And readers buy books from authors they know, like and trust.

Book Bio Tip #3: Start with the Essentials

Here’s an example from mystery and thriller author Tom Fowler:

“Tom Fowler was born and raised in Baltimore and still resides in Maryland. He is the author of the C.T. Ferguson mysteries and the John Tyler thrillers, both of which are set in his home city.”

In two simple sentences, Fowler tells us who he is and what he writes.

Book Bio Tip #4: Highlight Successes Without Bragging

Here’s an example from thriller and non-fiction author Joanna Penn:

“Joanna has a Masters in Theology from the University of Oxford, Mansfield College, and a post-graduate diploma in Psychology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.”

Penn’s fiction is packed with religion and psychology, so these qualifications are relevant to her work.

Book Bio Tip #5: Show Some Personality

This one is key.

To close your author bio, tell the reader a little something about you, and show off your personality. This will help you connect with like-minded readers.

Here’s an example from YA fantasy and non-fiction author Sacha Black:

“When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.”

Black’s brand is all about being a rebel author, so this line works perfectly.

Writer Bio Conclusion

Can you see how, by following a simple structure, you can write a compelling author bio guaranteed to attract the right readers?

In summary:

• Tell readers who you are and what you write
• Share a couple of awards, qualifications or accolades to build credibility, but don’t humble-brag
• Add in some personality to make your author bio fun and engaging.

What are you waiting for?

Go forth and write your compelling author bio!