When you’ve got a networking one-on-one throughout your job search, do you have to go away behind a resume? Most likely not. Often it’s higher to depart a networking bio as an alternative.
Why?
- Providing a resume might make your networking companion really feel pressured, as if although you’re imposing on them to seek out you a job. Concentrate on constructing relationship and sharing data; you’re not making use of for a job proper now. (Learn my article, “Networking: Organizations vs. Openings.”)
- You’ll be able to’t goal your resume for a job opening that doesn’t but exist. Offering a bio leaves the door open so that you can submit a focused resume later, when a selected job alternative opens up.
- Not like a resume, a bio can appropriately embody a photograph, which might help your contact keep in mind you.
What’s in a Networking Bio?
There are not any hard-and-fast guidelines about what data to incorporate in a bio. What details about you’ll assist somebody keep in mind you and your background? What sort of description would encourage them to maintain you in thoughts as a useful resource?
A bio generally is a bit much less formal than a resume. For instance, you may write it in first particular person (referring to your self as “I” slightly than by identify), or when you write it in third particular person (“Maria Miller is …”) you may insert quotes from your self.
Restrict your bio to 1 web page or much less. Be concise.
You’ll be able to embody among the similar data that’s in your resume, however be certain that the bio is partaking and conveys a way of who you might be as an individual. Ask your self questions like the next:
What’s my distinctive promoting proposition or model? What information about me give proof of that?
- What’s fascinating or spectacular about my profession path?
- What story would illustrate my abilities and expertise?
- What am I enthusiastic about, professionally?
- What do I like about my discipline? about my present employer? about my crew?
This offers you concepts towards writing a related and fascinating bio.
When to Use a Networking Bio
A bio is beneficial in a profession analysis dialog or informational interview with somebody you’ve by no means met. You would possibly present it by way of e-mail earlier than the assembly and/or hand them a tough copy as you’re leaving.
Nevertheless, in an informational interview with a hiring supervisor who might probably offer you a job, a resume is definitely extra applicable.
Simply don’t depend on the bio or resume to maintain you at high of thoughts together with your new contact. An important a part of networking is realizing find out how to flip data interviews into relationships.
Bio or LinkedIn Connection Request?
“Why present a bio,” it’s possible you’ll surprise, “when the particular person can simply look me up on LinkedIn?” Actually, a LinkedIn connection request is an effective subsequent step after a networking assembly. But it surely’s fairly attainable that your new contact will merely click on “Settle for” and transfer on with out your profile. Offering a bio earlier than or through the assembly might get extra consideration and assist them keep in mind your background and pursuits. On the very least, it’s a further touchpoint.
networking bio reinforces an impression of you as somebody who is sweet to know and communicate with. (This put up was initially printed in 2013 and has been up to date for the 2020s.)
