Writing Executive Biographies

How an executive biography may complement your CV

~ by Elle Bradshaw, B.A. (UK), and Mike Edwards, M.B.A. (UK)

Chances are you've never heard of it, but an executive biography provides a more comprehensive and in-depth picture of an applicant's professional background, experience, and achievements, while a CV or resume provides a concise summary of the job seeker's education, qualifications, and work experience. Both may be important tools for executives, especially those heading to the C-Suite, but they serve different purposes.

An executive biography differs from a CV (Curriculum Vitae) or resume in several key ways:

• Purpose: The primary purpose of an executive biography is to provide a comprehensive overview of the person's professional background, experience, and achievements. It is used to showcase their expertise, highlight their skills and accomplishments, and position them as a thought leader in their field. A CV or resume, on the other hand, is a necessarily concise summary of their education, qualifications, and work experience.
• Length: An executive biography is inevitably longer than a CV or resume and provides a more in-depth picture of the executive's professional background and experience. A CV or resume, on the other hand, is typically limited to one or two pages.
• Format: An executive biography is typically written in a narrative style, with a focus on storytelling and highlighting the executive's unique strengths and achievements. A CV or resume, on the other hand, is typically formatted as a bullet-pointed list of the job seeker's education, qualifications, and work experience.
• Content: An executive biography typically includes information about the executive's personal brand, leadership style and experience, industry experience, accomplishments and awards, and future goals. A CV or resume, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the job seeker's education, qualifications, and work experience.
• Scope: An executive biography goes beyond the scope of a CV, which is single-mindedly written to specifically meet an employer's selection criteria. This allows the executive greater creative licence to show subjective traits such as character and management style.

What does an executive biography typically comprise?

An executive biography is written in a narrative style, and typically comprises the following elements:

1. Personal Information: The executive's name, title, and current role, along with contact information.
2. Career Overview: A summary of the executive's professional experience, including their key roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
3. Education and Qualifications: A summary of the executive's educational background and relevant certifications, licenses, or awards.
4. Key Skills and Expertise: A highlight of the executive's core skills and areas of expertise, including their unique strengths and abilities.
5. Leadership Experience: A description of the executive's leadership style, and a summary of their experience leading teams, projects, or organisations.
6. Industry Experience: A summary of the executive's experience and achievements within their industry, including any notable projects or initiatives they have been involved in.
7. Personal Brand: A description of the executive's personal brand, including their values, mission, and vision.
8. Accomplishments and Awards: A summary of the executive's key achievements and any notable awards or recognition they have received.
9. Future Goals: A description of the executive's future career aspirations and goals, and how they plan to achieve them.
10. Endorsements: Quotes from colleagues, clients, or other industry leaders that attest to the executive's skills, experience, and achievements.

How is an executive biography used as part of a career strategy?

An executive biography can be useful in several circumstances, including:

• Job search: An executive biography can be a powerful tool for job seekers who are seeking senior-level positions. It can provide a comprehensive overview of their background, experience, and achievements, help them stand out from other candidates, and attract headhunters.
• Professional branding: An executive biography can help executives establish their personal brand and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. By highlighting their expertise, accomplishments, and achievements, they can build credibility and establish themselves as leaders in their field.
• Networking: An executive biography can be useful for executives who are looking to expand their professional network and connect with other executives and business leaders. By sharing their story and achievements, they can create opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
• Speaking engagements: An executive biography can be helpful for executives who are seeking speaking opportunities, such as keynote speeches, panel discussions, and conferences. By showcasing their expertise and experience, they can attract speaking invitations and build their reputation as a thought leader.
• Business development: An executive biography can be an effective tool for executives who are looking to grow their business or secure new clients. By highlighting their skills, experience, and achievements, they can demonstrate their expertise and build trust with potential clients.

What exactly is meant by 'narrative style'?

The difference between writing an executive biography in a narrative style and the style adopted for writing a CV and cover letter lies in their purpose, tone, format, and content.

The purpose of an executive biography is to provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the executive's professional background, experience, and achievements, and to position them as a thought leader in their field.

It is typically written in a more conversational and personal tone, with a focus on storytelling and highlighting the executive's unique strengths and achievements.

An executive biography is typically written in a narrative format, with a focus on creating a compelling story and showcasing the executive's unique strengths and achievements.

Its content focuses on the executive's personal brand, leadership experience, industry experience, accomplishments and awards, and future goals.

An example of a career overview in an executive biography

Here is an example of a career overview in an executive biography, written in a narrative style for Jane Doe, a female Chief Executive of a technology company:

First or third-person narrative style?

Both first and third person styles are acceptable in an executive biography. The choice between the two depends on personal preference and the tone and style the writer wants to convey.

In the first person narrative style, the executive is speaking directly to the reader and sharing their personal story, experiences, and achievements. This style can help create a personal connection with the reader and provide insight into the executive's personality, values, and mindset.

In the third person narrative style, the executive's story is told from an objective perspective, focusing on their accomplishments, experiences, and contributions to their industry. This style can help present the executive in a professional and authoritative manner, and may be preferred for more formal or corporate contexts.

Ultimately, the choice between first and third person styles will depend on the prospective employer's culture and the specific goals and objectives of the executive biography, and the writer should choose the style that best suits their needs and those of the intended audience.

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About the authors