Executive bios can be a great way to reinforce your executive brand, provide executive search consultants and potential employers with further information about yourself, and reflect on what you have accomplished in your career to date.

They are also a useful opportunity to go beyond the facts that are quoted in your resume/CV and inject some personality into your career story, enabling recruiters and future employers to connect with you on a human level and envision you within a potential new role.

Typically around 100-150 words, an executive bio should be succinct, with captivating and compelling information in an easy-to-read format. Most executive bios tend to include the following six sections: current responsibilities, previous experience, industry honors, community and industry involvement, education, and family/hobbies.

1. Current Responsibilities

In your opening paragraph, you need to outline your current roles and responsibilities in a way that will capture the attention and interest of your audience. Start with a clear branding statement which encapsulates what makes you unique. Be sure to highlight your value proposition, key accomplishments and expertise throughout this section.

2. Previous Experience

Aside from what you do in your current role, it is important that your audience don’t lose sight of what you have accomplished in your previous roles too. Use this section to explain your past achievements, both inside and outside of the prior organization. Remember, you can also use hyperlinks and supporting data to provide the audience with more information on these. You should integrate statistics and measurable successes throughout.

3. Industry Honors

If you have been recognized in your field of work, by way of awards, honorary degrees, or in alternative ways, this is the section where you can elaborate on them and make sure that they are known to the reader. You can also use this section to include details of any board positions, press interviews, or published works.

4. Community and Industry Involvement

Alongside their busy work schedules, many executives volunteer their time for the benefit of worthy causes. This can help to demonstrate leadership qualities, personal strengths, and passions outside of the office environment and can be integral to a successful executive bio.

5. Education

Like with any career marketing document, it is important to include details of your educational background and qualifications. Be sure to include not only where you went to school, but also your academic honors, certificates, and other work related training courses.

6. Family and Hobbies

Once you have provided the reader with your career story, at the end of an executive bio, many executives choose to wrap-up with information that will make them more personable, such as mentioning their spouse and/or children. This will highlight to the audience that you have a successful work/life balance. Discussing other hobbies and other leisure activities can have the same effect.