I went to college to learn about film and figure out which of the many credits at the end of a movie would be a good job for me. I later switched to advertising because it was more practical and there was no way I’d ever really work in Hollywood, right? So, when my first job after graduation was helping advertise local independent films, I was thrilled. I had found my own little corner of the film world where I could be myself and still be a part of the magic of movies. It was an incredible place to work with amazingly talented and hilarious people who have become lifelong friends and have gone on to do incredible things.
Being a part of creative projects energizes me. Throughout my career, I’ve been an advertising manager, event planner, communications manager, copywriter, and even an instructional designer. Each project has taught me valuable lessons and helped me improve my skills and confidence. Regardless of my job titles, my go-to skill has always been writing. From marketing emails to web content, and from technical writing to explainer videos, finding a way to tell the story is what I do. I’ve written newsletters about attorneys’ pro bono projects, articles for a wellness company’s health magazine, press releases about a non-profit’s volunteer work, and video scripts explaining what a variety of small businesses do for their customers.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve developed a love for interviewing people and have learned different ways to showcase their strengths. Whether it’s a first-person bio for professionals looking to advance their careers, subject matter experts needing to distill technical processes and features into shorter, more digestible training articles, or creating shareable content about an entrepreneur’s journey—I love getting to know people from all over the world and helping them tell their stories.
I know personally how hard self-promotion can be. “Fake it ‘til you make it” has never worked for me, and my comfort zone has always been behind the scenes. So, the idea of putting myself out there to network and promote my services was intimidating. But, in order to succeed, you have to be your own advocate, and not just in job interviews. That starts by taking an honest look at your work, your skill set, your values, etc., and consolidating those elements into a personal summary that you can get behind. Knowing what you’re good at and what you enjoy makes it much easier to verbalize your strengths, whether you’re trying to get the job or making a point in the team meeting. See yourself as an essential contributor rather than just the hired help.
Everyone has something to offer. But if your bio doesn’t showcase your value clearly, you may get passed over by potential employers, collaborators, or clients. Whether you need a bio for LinkedIn, a website, media features, speaking engagements, etc., ensure your bio positions you as an authority and makes a lasting impact. This will build trust, enhance credibility, and attract new opportunities by highlighting your successes in a way that will help you move forward.
