A corporate bio, popularized by professional networking site, LinkedIn, is a snapshot of your professional achievements, career trajectory and values. It is useful for marketing yourself to potential employers, finding sales prospects and even attracting employees of your own.

Writing your first professional bio can be daunting. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 4 things to leave in and a few things you should definitely leave out!

1) Professional History and Background

An effective corporate bio starts by painting a picture of the subject’s professional history. That might include a brief description of your current role and an overview of past roles that have been significant in shaping your career competencies. Touch on any relevant education but keep it short and sweet – no one needs to read three paragraphs from your college transcript.

2)  Mission Statement

If someone is reading your corporate bio, they’re probably looking to work with you. Whether that’s as an employer, employee or other stakeholder, they want to know whether your values align. Ensure that you’re networking with like-minded individuals by clearly displaying your mission statement in your corporate bio. Your mission statement must outline what you as a professional or company aim to achieve and the values that underpin that. 

A good mission statement is clear and concise. A statement like “I am here to make professional connections” is vague and uninspiring.  A stronger example might read, “My goal is to build strong relationships with other thought-leaders in the tech field through meaningful discussion and collaboration.” This describes the writer’s goal and how it can be achieved. 

3) A Personal Story or Anecdote

A corporate bio is an opportunity to showcase your personality – stakeholders want to know who they will be working with. A clever way to both deliver information and humanize yourself is to include a personal story or anecdote. One option is to paint a written picture of one of your greatest achievements so far. Use evocative language to make the reader feel like they were there to experience the moment too. 

You can also use your story or anecdote to highlight your positive traits. For example, instead of stating “I am a passionate individual”, detail how you run 5 miles every morning before work, in wind, rain or snow. Good writing should show, not tell. Research has shown that humor goes a long way in building both credibility and positive brand sentiment. So, include a few humorous quips in your storytelling if appropriate.

Above all, remind yourself that your story should be personal but not too personal. Here is not the place to disclose your family struggles or financial problems. 

4) Contact Details

Your corporate bio should leave the reader wanting to reach out immediately. Encourage interaction by listing all the social media platforms you’re active on and your preferred contact methods. Audit these contact details regularly to ensure that there are no broken or outdated links. 

Your corporate bio is your chance to make a strong first impression on employers and prospective customers alike. By following the tips above, you can easily broadcast a credible and professional corporate image that will enhance stakeholder confidence.