How to write a short professional bio (examples included)
A short bio is an important tool for personal branding and professional networking. Whether you’re applying for jobs, updating your online profiles, or working on an elevator pitch, a concise and compelling bio can make a great first impression. It’s your personal spiel, giving others a snapshot of who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.
This article covers the process of writing a short bio, with practical tips and a biography template to help you present yourself professionally across various platforms. We also cover the elements to include, how to tailor your bio for different contexts, and strategies to make your bio stand out.
What is a short bio?
A short bio (or biography) is a concise summary of your professional background. It’s an introduction to you and your career in a few sentences that capture your main abilities and offerings. It's the short ‘About Me’ section you often see on social media profiles, personal websites, conference speaker pages, and professional networking sites.
While a resumé provides a bullet-pointed summary of your background information – your work history, skills and education – a short bio condenses all the main parts into a paragraph ‘story’ of who you are. It highlights the most important aspects of your career and personality, and is a quick and engaging way to introduce yourself.
When to use a short bio
A short bio can help you connect with people in your industry and establish your personal brand. Here are some contexts in which a short bio is particularly useful.
Company website
Having a short bio on your company’s website introduces you to colleagues, clients and potential business partners. It provides a brief overview of your role, expertise and contributions to the organisation, helping build credibility and trust.
Industry events
When taking part in industry events such as conferences, seminars or workshops, a short bio is often required for speaker introductions or program booklets. This bio should highlight your relevant experience and achievements related to the talk. Even if you’re not participating in the event, a short bio can be the basis of your self-introduction to people.
Social media profiles
A well-written bio on a professional social media page can catch the eye of recruiters, potential employers, and industry connections. It should be relatively short, showing only your current title and some professional achievements.
Website
If you have a personal website or portfolio, a short bio introduces visitors to who you are, what you do and how you can work with them. This is particularly important for freelancers, creatives and entrepreneurs looking to attract clients or collaborators.
Guest posts and author bylines
When contributing guest posts or articles to blogs, magazines, or other publications, an author byline (the credit: 'by ....') is usually required. A short bio provides readers with context about your expertise and background, helping to promote your personal brand.
What to include in a biography
Writing a short bio involves providing a well-rounded snapshot of who you are, focusing on your professional identity and offerings. Here’s what you should consider including.
Name and current position/role: this establishes your identity and sets the context for the rest of your bio. For example, "Hana Park, Senior Accountant at XYZ Corporation.”
Relevant professional experience and achievements: focus on those most relevant to your current role or the audience you are addressing. This might include projects, awards, or milestones in your career. For example, "With over a decade of experience in accounting, Hana has led and completed major financial audits for a range of organisations, ensuring compliance with regulations and local legislation.”
Educational background: including your educational background can add credibility. Mention your degrees, the institutions you attended, and any relevant certifications. For example, "Hana is CPA accredited and has a masters in big data auditing.”
Skills and areas of expertise: be specific about your skills and strengths. For example, "Her expertise includes financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and audit management."
Personal interests and hobbies (if relevant): including personal interests or hobbies can make your bio more relatable and well-rounded, especially when it comes to social media or personal websites. For example, "In her spare time, Hana enjoys hiking and volunteer bookkeeping at her local animal shelter."
How to write a short bio
Follow these steps to ensure your bio is concise, compelling and tailored to your audience.
1. Identify your target audience and purpose
Before you start writing, think about who’ll be reading your bio and why. Your target audience and the purpose of your bio will influence the tone, content and length. For example, a bio for a professional networking site will differ from one for a personal blog.
2. Gather relevant information about yourself
Collect all information about your professional background, achievements, skills and any personal details you want to include. Having all this information on hand will make the writing process much smoother.
3. Organise the information in a logical structure
Start with your name and current role, followed by your professional experience, education, skills and personal interests. This structure helps readers quickly understand who you are and what you do.
4. Write a compelling opening sentence
Your opening sentence sets the tone for the rest of the bio. For example, "Hana Park is a seasoned senior accountant with over 10 years of experience in commercial auditing for a range of multinational clients."
5. Elaborate on your professional experience and achievements
Next, share roles, projects and accomplishments that show your expertise and value. For example, "Throughout her career as a senior accountant, Hana has identified cost-saving efficiencies, resulting in a 10% reduction in operating expenses over two years.”
6. Include personal details to add depth and relatability
Incorporate a few personal details to make your bio more relatable. These could include hobbies, volunteer work, or personal interests if relevant.
7. Conclude with a strong statement or call to action
End your bio with a strong closing statement and call to action. This could be an invitation to connect, a call to collaborate on current projects, or a personal motto.
8. Edit and proofread your bio
Finally, before you hit publish, proofread your bio to ensure it is free of errors. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation and overall clarity. A polished bio reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
Short bio templates and examples
Below are templates and examples that you can use to create your own professional, social media and personal website bios.
Professional bio template
Here’s how to write a simple short bio example about yourself:
Template:
[Your name] is a [your job title] at [your company]. With over [x years] of experience in [your field/industry], [your name] has [brief description of key achievements]. [He/She/They] holds/hold a [diploma/degree] from [college/university] and is skilled in [list of core skills]. Outside of work, [your name] enjoys [personal interests/hobbies].
Example:
Gus Stephens is a senior software engineer at Tech Innovations Inc. With over 15 years of experience in the technology industry, Gus has led the development of several high-profile applications and successfully implemented complex software solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Melbourne and is skilled in software development, systems architecture, and project management. Outside of work, Gus enjoys cycling, playing the guitar and seeing live bands.
Social media bio template
Template:
[Your name] | [your job title] at [your company] | [brief description of expertise] | [personal interests/hobbies] | [call-to-action/contact information]
Example:
Sheree Hamilton | Senior Graphic Designer at ABC Corp | Expert in branding, visual storytelling & UX design | Passionate about photography and yoga | Contact me at [email protected]
Personal website bio template
Template:
Hi, I'm [your name], a [your job title] based in [your location]. I specialise in [your areas of expertise] and have worked with [brief description of notable clients/projects]. I hold a [type of qualification] from [institution name]. When I'm not working, you can find me [personal interests/hobbies]. [Call-to-action/Invitation to connect].
Example:
Hi, I'm Rodrigo Norris, a landscape architect based in Adelaide. I specialise in sustainable lawn design and urban gardens and have worked on notable projects such as the Riverfront Park redevelopment and the Green City initiative. I hold a master's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Sydney. When I'm not working, you can find me in my greenhouse or playing basketball. Feel free to connect with me for collaboration opportunities.
Tips for writing an effective short bio
Wondering how to write a blurb about yourself? Writing a short bio involves striking the right balance between providing essential information and keeping it engaging and concise.
A short bio means a single paragraph of a few sentences. Focus on the most important aspects of your professional life and avoid unnecessary details.
A conversational tone can make your bio more relatable. To achieve this tone, write as if you are speaking to someone verbally, using straightforward language and a friendly tone. This approach helps to connect with your audience on a personal level, though it is not appropriate for all professions.
Highlight your unique skills, experiences, or achievements that are relevant to your audience.
If your bio will be published online, so by using search terms in it you can make it more easily searchable. Some good search terms to include are your position title, your main skills and offerings, and your location. Don't include anything private, like your home address or details people could use to steal your identity.
Ending your bio with a call-to-action or a link to your work inspires action. This could be an invitation to connect on social media, visit your website, or check out your latest project.
Common mistakes to avoid
When writing a short bio, there are some common mistakes to avoid. These mistakes can detract from your message and can leave a negative impression. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
Using jargon or technical language
While it’s important to show your expertise, using too much jargon or technical language is less engaging than using everyday language. Keep your bio accessible and easy to read.
Being too modest or too boastful
Aim for a down-to-earth tone that shares your achievements and skills without either exaggerating or downplaying them. You don’t want to come across as arrogant, or lacking confidence.
Including irrelevant or outdated information
Avoid including information that is outdated or irrelevant. Focus on the most recent achievements, work experience and areas of your career. Your personal life should also add value to your bio.
Neglecting to proofread and edit
Always take the time to proofread and edit your bio to ensure it is free of grammatical errors, typos and awkward phrasing.
Using a generic or impersonal tone
You should personalise your bio to reflect your unique personality and professional style. Using a conversational tone and sharing personal interests can make your bio warmer and more relatable.
Tailoring your bio for different platforms
Whether it’s for social media, a website or portfolio, writing a bio involves adapting it to fit the specific platform and audience you’re addressing.
Social media platforms
Each social media platform has its own audience demographic, which means your bio should be customised to suit. For more professional platforms, your summary can be more detailed, highlighting your achievements, skills and professional experience.
Example:
Carlos Herrara is a senior project manager at BuildPro Solutions with over five years of experience in construction management. He specialises in project planning, risk management, and team leadership. Carlos has successfully managed large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Riverside Bridge renovation and the Metro City Highrise development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UoA. Connect with Carlos to discuss innovative construction solutions and collaboration opportunities.
Some platforms have character limits. Focus on your primary role and a few interests or achievements. Use hashtags or handles to make your profile more discoverable.
Example:
Carlos Herrara | Sr. Project Manager @BuildPro Solutions | Expert in #BuildingRiskAssesment #ProjectPlanning | Outdoors enthusiast, avid gardener.
When it comes to platforms like Instagram, you can incorporate a mix of professional and personal elements. Use line breaks and emojis to make it more visually appealing.
Example:
Carlos Herrara 🛠️
🏗️ Senior Project Manager @BuildPro Solutions
🌲 Outdoor Enthusiast | 🌿 Gardener
📨Connect with me over email
Personal websites and portfolios
On personal websites and in portfolios, you have more space to share your professional journey, achievements and personal interests, though you should still make your bio short so it’s engaging and easy to read. If you have significant professional experience, it may not be necessary to mention your education.
Example:
Hi, I’m Carlos Herrara, a Senior Project Manager based in Auckland. With over five years of experience in project managing large-scale construction projects, I’ve led successful projects including the Riverside Bridge renovation and the Metro City Highrise.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me enjoying the outdoors, camping and fishing. Feel free to explore my site and connect with me for any projects.
Updating and refining your bio
You should update your professional bio as your career progresses and you accrue new skills and work experience. Review your bio every six months or after big career changes, as regular updates keep it fresh.
As you accomplish new milestones and gain experience, add these into your bio, such as recent projects, awards and certifications. You can also ask a friend or mentor to review your bio and suggest improvements. They might highlight strengths you’ve overlooked or offer suggestions.
A short bio is a must when it comes to online networking. It’s an essential element of personal brand and an invaluable asset in professional networking. It provides a snapshot of your career, highlighting your achievements, skills and unique attributes. Whether for resumés, social media profiles, personal websites, or industry events, a tailored bio lets people know how they can work with you, potentially opening doors to new opportunities.
FAQs
What is the ideal length for a short bio?
The ideal length for a short bio is between 50 to 150 words. This allows you to share essential information about your professional background and achievements without overwhelming the reader.
Should I write my bio in first or third person?
It depends on the context. For professional settings such as company websites or industry events, writing in the third person adds a formal tone and can make your bio appear more authoritative. For personal blogs or informal contexts, first person can create a more personable and relatable tone.
How often should I update my short bio?
You should update your short bio at least once a year or whenever there are changes in your professional life. This includes new job roles, major projects, awards or additional skills.
Can I use the same bio for all platforms?
While you can use the same information across different platforms, it's best to tailor your bio for each. For example, your bio on a company website might be more detailed and formal, while your Twitter bio would be shorter and more casual.
What if I don’t have much professional experience to include in my bio?
If you lack professional experience, focus on your education, relevant skills and any volunteer work or internships. Highlight personal achievements and interests that demonstrate your abilities and character. Everyone starts somewhere, and a well-written bio can still make a strong impression even if your career is just beginning.
