Typically, the brand communications plan my c-level executive clients and I collaborate on includes developing their executive resume, biography and Linkedin profile.
It goes without saying that they must have a standout resume and most understand that they need a strong LinkedIn profile, too – even if only for passive job search, even if they don’t leverage all the networking features LinkedIn has to offer.
But a question they frequently ask is “Why do I need a biography. Won’t my resume be enough?”
My answer includes explaining what we can do in writing a biography that we can’t do with a resume — mainly telling a deeper brand story that injects much more of their personality than a resume allows.
But also, I tell them that they can use the digital or paper document in different ways than a resume. Two of the 8 Ways to Use Your Executive Biography, which I outlined in a post at Executive Career Brand, are:
1. Your bio, instead of resume, may be the better first document to present to people when introducing yourself. A resume is an obvious job search tool. A bio is a more general career management tool. Because a bio allows you to better tell your brand story, it conveys personality and good-fit qualities better than a resume. It may work better at informational interviews and when you’re making new contacts, other than recruiters and employers’ hiring decision makers.
2. Bios are essential introductions for speaking engagements. When making a presentation or giving a speech, give your bio to the introducer ahead of time.
Hop over to the original post for the other six ways.
Related posts:
How to Write a C-level Executive Career Brand Biography
10 Steps to an Authentic, Magnetic Personal Brand
How to Write An Irresistible C-level Executive Brand Resume in 10 Steps
