Finding a good job can be quite difficult. Someone is not satisfied with the salary offered by employers, someone does not have sufficient experience or education and because of this, no one wants to hire them, and it also happens that there are simply no vacancies for the desired position. Everyone knows about the problems of a person looking for a job, but few people think about the difficulties of recruiters and employers. And they also have certain difficulties. Finding a good worker is also not so easy. That is why today, more and more often, candidates are evaluated based on their resume, and only then those who are interested are called for an interview. Often, a person is asked to bring their resume with them to the interview. Therefore, an autobiography is an important factor for hiring.
Of course, HR specialists or the employer himself can ask the applicant about everything during the meeting, but it is much more convenient when the autobiography is at hand. The decision is often made not during the interview itself, but after it. It is convenient when you can refresh your memory about the person and only then make the final choice in favor of a particular candidate.
AND how to write a resume for a job? This is what we propose to talk about further. We will definitely discuss its content and structure. There will also be an example.
Autobiography – what is it?
In simple terms, it is a document in which the applicant describes in a free form the main facts from his life. In general, preference is given to those facts that are important for future professional activities.
Why is this necessary? What is the employer's goal when he asks to bring an autobiography? First, it is convenient. Many people perceive information better visually than by ear. Second, such a document helps to create a more complete picture of the candidate's personality: their experience, achievements, skills and personal qualities. You can get additional information that may be missing in a resume or cover letter. Third, the candidate will then go about his business, and the piece of paper with useful information about him will remain with the employer. With its help, if necessary, you can quickly refresh your memory of the data about the person-applicant.
It should also be said that this is one of the options for verification. It will be possible to draw certain conclusions about how a person sees himself, what he focuses on in his life, how he evaluates his achievements, etc.
So, here are the main reasons why employers ask for an autobiography:
- Additional information.
- Evaluation of the candidate as a person.
- Compliance with the requirements of the position.
What should you write in your autobiography for a job?
This document is written in a more or less free form, but it should have a clear structure. It should be easy to read. Usually everything is presented not in a continuous text, but in sections with clear paragraphs. How to start an autobiography? We recommend starting with an outline. Don't rush into writing the document right away. First, think about what you will list first, what will be second, and so on.
Of course, there should be only true information. Don't forget that we live in the 21st century and almost any data today can be quickly checked using the Internet. That is why you should not attribute non-existent merits to yourself. At the same time, you should not be too shy. If you have something to be proud of, then indicate it.
It is especially important to pay attention to education. It can be not only school, college or university. Many people take various courses throughout their lives. Even if they are not very relevant to the position you are applying for, still tell about them. This may be interesting for the employer and he will make certain positive conclusions about you and they will be beneficial to you.
Are you interested? autobiography template? We offer a general outline that you can use when writing your document. If you wish, you can supplement it with anything you think is important.
Document name
There is no need to invent anything here and it would be quite appropriate to indicate this: "Autobiography."
- Personal data
Name, date and place of birth are indicated.
- Education
A description of the educational institutions you graduated from, your majors, and years of study. Have you taken any courses or internships? Mention them as well.
- Work activity
Places of work, positions, responsibilities and achievements are listed in chronological order.
- Marital status
Brief information about your family (if applicable). This is not required, so you may not include it, but be prepared that you may be asked about it during the interview.
- Additional information
Skills, foreign language skills, participation in projects or volunteer activities are indicated.
- Date and signature
Main principles when writing
It has already been said above that everything is written in free form, but structurally. There are also certain unspoken principles that we advise you to follow. Here they are:
- Clarity and logic. First, remember the chronological order. This way the information is perceived much better. It is convenient to read such a biography. Avoid a chaotic presentation of events. There is no need to jump back and forth between years.
- Laconicism. There is no need to provide too many nuances. As you know, brevity is the sister of talent. Do not overload the text with secondary details. The main volume should not be more than 1–2 pages.
- Orientation to the position. Focus on the facts that are relevant to the job. You can include more, but don't overdo it.
- Literacy. Check the text for errors. The absence of grammatical and stylistic flaws is an important indicator of attentiveness and professionalism. You can even have someone close to you read your biography. Maybe they will give you some useful advice.
- Personal style. While the text should remain businesslike, avoid being dry. Show your personality, but don't overdo it. Remember, this is not a school essay or a postcard.
Common mistakes
Those who are new to this often make fairly standard mistakes. These include the following: excessive detail, violation of chronology, irrelevant information, stylistic and grammatical errors, lack of logical structure. We recommend taking all of this into account when writing.
What is the difference between an autobiography and a resume?
In short, these are indeed quite similar documents, but there are some significant differences that lie in the format. We are talking about the size of the document, its structure, presentation style, and even the purpose of use.
When it comes to structure and length, a resume is always much smaller. It is a short, structured document that contains only the key points that are important to the employer. As a rule, it is no more than one page. Nothing superfluous is indicated there.
As for the format, an autobiography is written in free form. A person can show their talents as an author. Most often, the document has the form of a coherent text. A resume is more strictly structured. It is more like a list with points and blocks.
The goal is also different. The resume should interest and generally inform the HR department employee or the employer directly. An autobiography is an additional tool for assessing a candidate. By the way, it can be used not only for employment. For example, it may be necessary for participation in competitions or admission to educational institutions. Are you famous for something and one of the editorial offices wants to write about you in a magazine or newspaper? They can also ask for your biography for review. In fact, there are many options.
As for content, the resume focuses only on professional achievements and skills.
Autobiography writing sample
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
I, Filatov Oleksandr Oleksandrovich, was born on February 9, 1994 in the city of Poltava.
In 2012, he graduated from Poltava Secondary School No. 38. During his studies, he actively participated in competitions and Olympiads in law. In the same year, he entered the Yaroslav the Wise Kharkiv National University, Faculty of Law. In 2016, he received a bachelor's degree, and in 2018, a master's degree in Law.
He began his career in 2018 at the company "Pravo X" as a legal assistant. His main responsibilities are working with contracts, representing clients in government agencies, analyzing legislation, and providing legal advice. In 2021, he was promoted to the position of lawyer.
Not married. I am fluent in English, have experience working with office computer programs.
January 16, 2025
Filatov O.O.
Let's summarize
Thus, writing an autobiography is not that difficult, but it is important to approach this task responsibly. You should start by formulating in your head, and perhaps on paper, a clear plan according to which you will move. Do not forget that everything should be strictly in chronological order. Try to be concise. Write only the truth. These tips will help you write a truly cool autobiography that will show you exclusively from a positive side.
