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MELODY DEXTER

Types of questions to ask in a biographical interview

By Melody Dexter | 5 Jan 2022

There’s the basics: open and closed-ended questions… then there’s more specific types of questions, each with their own purpose. Let’s take a look at the funnel approach, statements, rhetorical, narrative, explanatory and verification questions.

In my article  Interviewing for biography: interrogation, conversation, and the in-between , I wrote about different approaches to biographical interviews. The approach you choose may influence the types of questions you choose to ask. In addition, what you choose to ask will be influenced by your objectives and the research you’ve conducted previously. 

It’s important to prepare a list of questions that you might start with or refer to throughout the interview. Be prepared: oral historian Donald Ritchie says that “it is safer to have too many questions than too few… Some interviewees talk at great length in response to a single question… others answer briefly and need several follow-up questions to draw them out”. 

Keep in mind that even with your list of carefully curated questions, you may not ask them all and you will likely ask new questions during the interview. In a narrative interview, a key part of knowing what to ask lies in listening effectively. We adjust or create our questions based on what has already been said. We probe or we pivot as we need to.

Ritchie discusses the importance of being flexible and curious, “an interviewer must always be prepared to abandon carefully prepared questions and follow the interviewee down unexpected paths, always helping the interviewee by questioning, guiding, coaxing, and challenging.”

The types of questions we ask influences the data that is gathered and how the interview progresses.

Open-ended questions

Later in this section, we’ll discuss the different types of questions, but first, let’s review open- ended, closed-ended and leading questions. In a narrative interview, the objective is to prompt the interviewee to do most of the talking. Open-ended questions are usually very effective at this, they give the interviewee the opportunity to ponder their thoughts and decide how long to speak about the topic. 

Open-ended questions are questions which can’t be answered with a simple yes or no, or phrase. For example, an open-ended question is “tell me about your childhood”, and a more specific open-ended question is “can you tell me about the moment you realised you were adopted?” 

Oral historian Charles Morrissey (cited by Ritchie) suggests framing an open-ended question by stating the problem, then asking the question, for example, “You were often seen volunteering in soup kitchens in the Bronx. How did these experiences influence your policy?” And then following this, specific questions can build upon this first answer. 

Closed-ended questions

The opposite of open-ended questions are closed-ended questions. Examples of closed-ended questions are “did you have a happy childhood?” and “you grew up in New York City, is that correct?” and “what date did you move to New York?” When an interviewer limits the answers, this too is a closed-ended question, for example, “did you prefer growing up in New York or LA?” Close-ended questions or very specific questions are useful when verifying information or if time is short.

The funnel approach

Closely related to closed-ended questions is the “funnel approach” which Ritchie notes is often used in the courtroom or by political reporters. With this technique, interviewers start with broad questions, with each subsequent question becoming more specific, until the interviewee is easily able to answer “final, more specific questions”. Ritchie suggests this approach may be useful if the topic of conversation is controversial or if the interviewer is seeking specific information. 

Ritchie notes that at times, it is possible to elicit a response without even asking a question, for example, restate what the person has said, make an observation or comment such as, “You grew up in South Carolina.”  

Rhetorical questions

Wang and Yan suggest avoiding rhetorical questions – these can be perceived as hostile and can be perceived as expressing a point of view, similarly to how negatives can express the interviewer’s perspective, words such as isn’t, don’t and shouldn’t. 

It’s impossible for interviewers to remain neutral – even if you’re working from a strict list of questions, interviewees will infer messages from visual and verbal cues, even if the cue is the interviewer being impassive. Harding notes that in a narrative biographical interview, it is appropriate for the interviewer to offer thoughts, ideas and experiences, as it builds rapport with the interviewee, however Miller reminds us that when asking questions, be mindful of leading questions and making assumptions. 

Leading questions can lead to inaccurate answers; Ritchie stresses that asking leading questions might lead to the interviewee assuming that that is what the interviewer wants to hear. An example of a leading question is, “you were overjoyed about having your wedding overlooking the beach, is that right?”. 

When phrasing questions, be mindful of your assumptions and presuppositions. Wang and Yan define presuppositions as being background assumptions that make an expression make sense. For example, by asking “when did you go to the party”, you’re assuming the person actually went to the party, not just asking what time they went. 

Harding cites Hollway and Jefferson who differentiate between narrative and explanatory questions, both of which are important in biographical interviews. Narrative questions focus on stories, questions such as “Walk me through your first day at the White House”. Explanatory questions can include discussion about why they did something at the time and why they did it in hindsight, for example, “Why did you spend that time alone in the Oval Office on your first day?”. In researching racist and anti-Semitic groups, Blee focused on narrative questions, rather than explanatory, as she didn’t want her study to be used by participants as a way of broadcasting racist ideologies to new audiences. Below, we discuss examples of narrative and explanatory questions, as well as questions that might be used to verify information. 

Narrative questions

Narrative questions can take a number of forms, but the unifying theme is that the interviewer is seeking information about what actually happened, rather than why. 

Descriptive questions invite the interviewee to give a recount of an  event  in more detail. Rosenthal gives the following example, “you mentioned situation X earlier, could you tell me/narrate in more detail, exactly what happened?”.

Rosenthal states that interviewers might also ask about a specific  theme , for example, “Could you tell me more about your parents?”. Content categories can cue memories, for example, Thomsen & Brinkmann suggest mentioning an activity, person or feeling, “do you remember an episode where you were talking (activity) to the physician (people) and felt confused (emotion)”? 

It can be cognitively easier for interviewees to answer structural questions, which Ritchie describes as “ walk-me-through-a-typical-day ” questions. For example, if an interviewee is struggling to recall a memory, ask about simple memories, such as normal routines in the past at home or at work. Another tactic that might work is taking an emotive approach, asking about  feelings , rather than facts. In collecting oral history from immigrants, in  Doing Oral History,  Kolbert is quoted, they might “not remember their daughter’s phone number. But they do remember what it was like when they got off the boat”.

Ritchie suggests that questions about  experiences  and  examples  can help the interviewee with recall. Lillrank gives the following example, “what was your most memorable experience in the Oval Office?”, or simply, “can you give me an example?”. Similarly, Rosenthal suggests asking about a  specific time  in their life, “Can you tell me more about the time you were…”. 

Ritchie says that questions that  compare  or  contrast  help the interviewer see events from another perspective, provide rich detail for storytelling and can help with verifying stories previously told. Rosenthal suggests asking the interviewee to tell you an event from someone else’s perspective, “What did your chief of staff do while you were alone in the oval office that day?” Another example Lillrank gives is linking an experience to the past, such as “Did this remind you of something you have experienced before?”, or Thomsen and Brinkmanm suggest asking them to describe an event in a different order.

Brinkman suggests  avoiding abstract questions  such as “what does anger mean to you” and instead asking for descriptions about how they actually felt rather than how they would feel, for example, “What happened?” and “How did you feel at the time?”. 

Keep in mind that memories can be prompted by senses such as sound, sight, taste, smell and touch. Ritchie uses objects such as maps to prompt discussion and suggests that we can also use photos, clothing, food, gardens and so on. 

In writing a biography, describing the  scene  is essential – the interview can yield valuable, rich insights into helping you describe the scene. Lee Gutkind recommends that when a scene or experience is discussed, ask what people were wearing, what the room, house or neighbourhood looked like or what the weather was that day. 

Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Robert Caro often asked interviewees “What would I  see  if I were there?” Caro sometimes asked a question, and kept asking the same question and sometimes his interviewee would get angry, but other times, they revealed more details, describing the scene or the person further. Santel gave a great example of Caro’s technique: Caro asked, “What was it like sitting on those couches?” and they’d say  “Oh, I remember those couches. They were so downy you thought you’d never get up. And then you realise that Johnson  made  the couches in the Oval Office softer so people would sink down and he, sitting in his rocking chair, would be higher, towering over them”.

Explanatory questions

Explanatory questions, such as asking for an opinion, or asking why or how questions, may yield more subjective responses. Ritchie cites oral historian Charles Morrissey who suggests a two-sentence format: first, state the problem and second, ask the question, for example, “The records show you were a leader in establishing zoning laws that shaped this town. Why were zoning laws your objectives?”.

When seeking an opinion on a topic, Talmage sometimes shares “academic hearsay knowledge of a topic” and then asks the interviewee to comment on the validity of the statement. For example, an interviewer might say “It’s claimed that biographers are like burglars – what are your thoughts on this?”

Verification questions

It’s imperative to keep in mind there is no single, accurate story — there can be multiple interpretations of meaning. Interviewees don’t just have one voice, Brinkman describes interviewees as being polyvocal.  Sorsoli & Tolman remind us that we usually listen assuming their story is “singular and transparent”, that the person has one voice, when really we should be listening for other voices in their narrative. Sorsoli and Toman stress that “Understanding the nuances of complex personal narratives requires examining them from many different angles and slowly building an interpretation from the perspective each angle offers”.

Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Caro suggests learning as much about the person as you can, “There is no one truth, but there are an awful lot of objective facts. The more facts you get, the more facts you collect, the closer you come to whatever truth there is. The base of biography has to be facts”.

Thomsen and Brinkmann stress that it’s crucial to verify what can be verified. Lee Gutkind reminds us that facts cannot be changed: for example, that your eyes are blue or that Lyndon Johnson died in 1973. During the interview, seek to confirm, clarify and challenge. Ritchie says, “Challenge answers that seem misleading, and pursue responses that seem mistaken”. Ritchie suggests that iIf you aren’t sure about their truthfulness, come back to the point again later and consider bringing up evidence that might oppose what they are saying.

Alexievich notes that sometimes people’s oral testimonies are “infected by secondary sources”, such as newspapers or other people’s versions. Other times, Ritchie stresses that narratives are told so frequently that it has been rehearsed, and each time the story is told, it becomes embedded more firmly in the mind, “Every telling of a story embellishes it… events are telescoped, chronology tightened, order rearranged and edited, drama or humor heightened. Rehearsed stories tend to omit negative events and concentrate on triumphs”. Alexievich notes that at times interviewees “write up” or “rewrite” and that there is a need to be vigilant, on guard. Ritchie says that it’s essential to search for inaccuracies and gently challenge inconsistencies”. 

Lillrank and Miller suggest looking for gaps in the story, shifts, contradictions and consistencies. Consider how they describe events, how they frame their involvement, for example, in interviewing prisoners responsible for genocide in Rwanda, Jessee noted that many convicted perpetrators talked about the atrocities they “observed” without mentioning their own role in it or who else was involved. 

Use extended timelines or landmark events as contextual cues, for example, “when you were working at X” or Thomsen and Brinkmaan suggest creating a timeline of an event. DeLouise & Harrington find that if responses are particularly broad, asking further questions can help the interviewee become more specific, even questions such as “tell me just a little more about that” or “what is it that really makes that stand out?”

Because the narrative interview is a shared experience, we may become complacent and assume both parties understand what is said. Talmage suggests challenging our assumptions during an interview, to ensure we have an accurate understanding, by asking the interviewee to restate what they’ve said in a different way, or by restating it ourselves in “a clear unambiguous way and asking if that is what the respondent meant”.

Next we’ll look at  listening in a biographical interview .

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Writing a Bio: My 20 Favorite Questions to Ask

Writing a concise bio for a business website may seem like a no brainer. A few paragraphs, hit all the usual points like schools, charity work, career highlights and then, BAM! Bio, check.

The problem with that approach? There’s a high likelihood you’ll churn out super boring bios, fast. When I think of old school bios, I think of a stuffy headshot accompanied by a few paragraphs of text that no one wants to read. But the days of stale bios are over. Believe it or not, people actually want to learn about you and your company, and they’d rather not fall asleep while doing it.

A well-written bio will combine the overall company culture and voice with that of the profiled team member. While website bios are generally concise—anywhere from Twitter-short to a few paragraphs—choosing the particulars to highlight can be tricky. Gathering the right information up front, in a 15-20 minute interview, is key.

Here are my favorite questions to ask when writing a bio. Note: these don’t include the usual slew, like general career experience and education.

1.      Who is someone you admire, and why?

2.      Tell me three pet peeves.

3.      What’s a typical day like for you?

4.      Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

5.      If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be? (Don’t overthink it!)

6.      Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

7.      If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

8.      Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...

9.      How do you want people to remember you?

10.  What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

11.  Name three words that you describe you.

12.  How do you think your colleagues would describe you?

13.  What do you want to make sure you do before you die?

14.  What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

15.  Name a few of your daily habits (other than a shower and brushing your teeth).

16.  What publications do you regularly read?

17.  What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

18.  What are some causes you care about?

19.  What do you do with friends in your spare time?

20.  What would be your personal motto

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Questions To Ask Someone For A Biography

Biographies are a great way to learn more about someone and their life. Asking the right questions can help to draw out important details and anecdotes that can make an interesting story. When interviewing someone for a biography, it is important to ask open-ended questions that allow the person to give more detailed answers. It is also important to ask follow-up questions so as to get a better understanding of the person’s life and experiences. Examples of questions to ask someone for a biography include: What are some of the most memorable or meaningful experiences in your life?; What motivated you to pursue a certain career or path in life?; What are some of the biggest life lessons you have learned?; What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in life?; What do you wish you had done differently in life?; What do you feel are the most important values you strive to live by?; What are some of the biggest successes you have achieved in life?; What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

Background Questions

When writing a biography, it is important to ask the subject questions that will provide insight into their background, life experiences, and personality. Background questions can reveal the subject’s family structure, educational background, work history, and other important details. Knowing these details can provide a full picture of the subject and can determine the direction of the biography. Here are some questions to consider asking the subject when researching their background:

• What was your family like growing up?

• What did you enjoy most about school?

• What was your first job?

• How did you get into your current profession?

• What challenges have you faced in your life?

• Where have you lived?

• What is your favorite childhood memory?

• What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

• What did you learn from your past relationships?

Asking these background questions can help you to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the subject and their life story. The answers to these questions can provide the context needed to create an engaging and accurate biography.

Family and Education Questions

When you are interviewing someone for a biography, it is important to ask questions that will provide insight into their family, education, and other personal aspects of their life. By asking the right questions, you can get a better understanding of the person you are writing about and craft a more accurate and informative biography.

When it comes to family questions, you can ask about the person’s parents, siblings, and other relatives. What are their names? What did their parents do for a living? Did they have a close relationship with their family? Who was their closest relative?

Questions about education are also important for biographies. What school did they attend? Did they go to college or university? What did they study? What were their grades like? Did they participate in any extracurricular activities?

These are just a few of the questions you can ask when interviewing someone for a biography. Asking the right questions will help you get the information you need to create a compelling and accurate biography. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can craft a biography that will help readers better understand the person you are writing about.

Career History Questions

When it comes to writing a biography, it is important to ask questions that will give you a comprehensive picture of someone’s life, career, and accomplishments. A great way to get to the heart of someone’s story is to ask them about their career history. Here are a few questions to consider when asking someone about their career history.

What was your first job? What inspired you to pursue that job? What have been some of your favorite accomplishments in your career? What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced? What did you learn from your career experiences? What have been some of the most rewarding aspects of your career? How has your career evolved over the years? What advice would you give to people considering a similar career path?

Interests and Hobbies Questions

Whether it’s a memoir of a family member, a celebrity, or even yourself, writing a biography can be immensely rewarding. To ensure you capture the true essence of their life story, it’s important to ask the right questions. When it comes to interests and hobbies, this can be particularly tricky. To ensure you get the answers you need, consider asking the following:

• What hobbies and activities do they enjoy?

• What is the story behind their favourite hobby?

• What did they enjoy doing as a child?

• What hobbies and activities do they find therapeutic?

• What new hobbies or activities have they recently tried out?

• What hobbies or activities do they feel passionate about?

• What is their favourite holiday destination?

• What do they like to do in their free time?

• What challenges have they faced in pursuing their hobbies and activities?

• What hobbies and activities do they find the most fulfilling?

By asking the right questions, you can get a comprehensive understanding of someone’s interests and hobbies. This will help you paint a clear picture of their character and provide valuable insights into their life and experiences. Taking the time to ask the right questions can make a huge difference when it comes to writing a captivating biography.

Life Experiences Questions

When writing a biography, it’s important to get to know the subject’s life experiences. To do this, you will need to ask questions about their past and present. Life experience questions can help you get a better insight into the subject’s memories, emotions, and relationships.

Some of the questions you could ask to get a better understanding of the person’s life experiences include: What was your family like growing up? What was your most meaningful experience in school? What is something you regret doing or not doing? What is the most difficult thing you have ever done? What has been the best moment in your life? What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned in life? What has been your greatest success? What has been your biggest challenge?

These questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of the person and their life experiences. Asking the right questions can help you to create an intriguing and comprehensive biography that captures the essence of the person’s life.

Reflection and Legacy Questions

Writing a biography is an important task that requires digging deep into a person’s life and emotions. To get a full sense of the individual, it’s essential to ask the right questions that will uncover meaningful insights and experiences. For this, reflection and legacy questions play a crucial role. These questions are designed to help us explore how a person thinks about their life, the impact they’ve made, and how they want to be remembered. Reflection and legacy questions can include: “What would you say are your most important accomplishments?”, “What do you think are the most meaningful lessons you’ve learned?”, “What has been the most difficult experience of your life?”, “How have you seen the world change during your lifetime?”, “What do you want to be remembered for?” Reflection and legacy questions are not only insightful for the biography, but they can also be a powerful way to spark meaningful conversations and help others gain a better understanding of who the person is and what their story is.

FAQs About the Questions To Ask Someone For A Biography

Q1. What events or experiences have had the most significant impact on your life?

Q2. What have been some of your biggest achievements?

Q3. What are your long-term goals and ambitions?

Asking questions to someone for a biography is an important step in understanding their life story. By asking questions that take into account both their past and present experiences, you can gain insight into their personality, values, and life goals. Questions can also cover topics such as their childhood, education, work, and hobbies. Taking the time to ask questions and get to know someone will provide you with a well-rounded story that you can use to write an engaging biography.

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120 Questions to Ask When Interviewing Someone About Their Life

When embarking on the journey of interviewing someone about their life, we delve into the rich tapestry of their experiences, beliefs, and lessons learned. This collection of questions serves as a key to unlocking the treasure trove of stories that every individual carries.

These queries are designed to navigate through the chapters of one’s existence, from the innocence of early childhood to the wisdom that comes with reflecting on the future. Engage with these prompts to discover the essence of a person’s life story and craft a narrative that is both profound and enlightening.

Table of Contents

Early Life and Family Background

• Can you share where and when you were born?
• What memories do you have of your childhood home?
• How would you describe your family dynamic as a child?
• Do you have any siblings, and what were your relationships like with them?
• What were your parents’ professions, and how did they influence you?
• Are there any particular family traditions that influenced your upbringing?
• What is your earliest memory?
• Did you have any pets growing up?
• What activities or hobbies did you enjoy as a child?
• How did your family celebrate holidays or special occasions?
• Who were your role models within your family, and why?
• Was there something unique about your family’s cultural background?
• What was your favorite thing to do with your family?
• Did you face any hardships during your early years?
• How do you think your upbringing has shaped the person you are today?

Education and Career Development

• What was your favorite subject in school and why?
• Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or sports?
• Who was your favorite teacher, and what impact did they have on your life?
• What level of education have you achieved, and how did you decide on that path?
• How did you get into your current profession or line of work?
• What jobs have you held, and what lessons did you learn from them?
• Have you had any mentors in your professional life?
• What are you most proud of accomplishing in your career?
• Did you have a career plan, and how did you follow or deviate from it?
• How do you balance your work life with your personal life?
• What’s the most challenging aspect of your career?
• Have you worked abroad, and if so, what was that experience like?
• In your view, what constitutes success in a career?
• Have you ever had to make a significant career change?
• What advice would you give to someone starting in your field?

Personal Philosophies and Values

• What personal values are most important to you?
• Have your values changed over the years, and why?
• What life philosophy do you live by?
• How do you define happiness?
• What do you believe is the purpose of life?
• How important is spirituality or religion in your life?
• How do you approach making difficult decisions?
• What have you learned about yourself through your relationships with others?
• In terms of legacy, what do you want to be remembered for?
• How do you deal with regret or mistakes?
• What does success mean to you outside of your career?
• How do you handle stress or anxiety?
• What practices do you follow to maintain mental and emotional well-being?
• What role do politics or social issues play in your life?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Major Life Events and Turning Points

• Can you describe a pivotal moment in your life?
• How did a significant loss affect your life perspective?
• What life event has brought you the most joy?
• Has there been an unexpected turn in your life that you now see as a blessing?
• Were there any historical events that significantly impacted your life?
• Can you talk about a major accomplishment and how you achieved it?
• How did becoming a parent (if applicable) change your life?
• Was there a point when you had to make a tough choice that altered your life’s direction?
• How has your life been different from what you imagined as a young person?
• Can you share a time when you took a big risk?
• What has been your most significant career milestone?
• Have you ever moved to a new place and started over? What was that like?
• Can you tell me about a time when you overcame a major obstacle?
• Have you ever pursued a dream or goal against all odds?
• What is one event you wish you could relive, and why?

Relationships and Community Connections

• Who has been the most influential person in your life outside of your family?
• Can you describe a friendship that has greatly impacted you?
• How do you contribute to or participate in your community?
• What role have your friends played throughout your life?
• Have you been involved in volunteer work or activism?
• How has your perspective on relationships changed over time?
• What is the key to maintaining long-lasting relationships, in your opinion?
• Can you talk about a time when a community came together to support you or others?
• Have you ever felt isolated or disconnected? How did you overcome that?
• How do you nurture new relationships?
• What do you treasure most about your community?
• How do you resolve conflicts within your personal relationships?
• Is there someone you’ve lost contact with whom you’d like to reconnect?
• How do you decide who to trust?
• Can you share a story about a personal connection that taught you a valuable lesson?

Challenges and Overcoming Adversities

• What was the most challenging period in your life?
• How have difficult times shaped who you are today?
• Can you tell me about a time when you failed at something important to you?
• What was the biggest risk you’ve taken that didn’t pay off?
• How do you cope with setbacks or disappointments?
• Can you share a personal challenge that you’re proud to have overcome?
• Who or what gave you strength during tough times?
• Has there been a challenge that you’ve faced repeatedly, and how have you approached it?
• How do you manage to keep a positive outlook during times of crisis?
• What strategies do you use to regain motivation after a setback?
• Have health issues ever been a major challenge for you?
• What was a crucial turning point in overcoming a particular adversity?
• What is the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn in life?
• How have difficult experiences contributed to your growth?
• In what ways have your struggles brought about positive changes in your life?

Creativity and Passions

• What hobbies or activities do you feel most passionate about?
• How do you cultivate your creative side?
• Can you share an example of a project you worked on that was driven by passion?
• Was there ever a time when you had to fight for your creative ideas?
• How do you find inspiration for your creative endeavors?
• What does creativity mean to you, and why is it important in your life?
• Are there any creative pursuits you wish you had the time or resources to explore?
• How do you overcome creative blocks?
• What’s a passion project you’ve always wanted to start?
• How do you integrate your passions into your daily life?
• Can you describe a time when you shared your passion with others?
• What creative achievement are you most proud of?
• Has your creativity ever been misunderstood or undervalued?
• How have your passions changed or evolved over the years?
• What advice would you give to someone trying to pursue their creative interests?

Reflections and Look to the Future

• Looking back, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
• What are you most looking forward to in the future?
• Are there any dreams or goals you still wish to accomplish?
• What are your hopes for your family and loved ones?
• How do you want the next generations to remember this time period?
• What changes do you hope to see in the world within your lifetime?
• How do you plan to spend your retirement or later years?
• Is there anything you want to change about your current lifestyle?
• What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
• How do you stay informed and plan for the future in a rapidly changing world?
• Do you have a bucket list, and if so, what’s on it?
• What role do you think technology will play in shaping the future?
• How do you keep a forward-thinking mindset?
• What innovation or advancement are you most excited to see develop?
• How do you envision your community or society evolving?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i make the interviewee feel comfortable when discussing their life.

• Establish a rapport with the interviewee before diving into deeper questions.
• Be empathetic and respectful, giving them control over how much they wish to share.
• Ensure a private and quiet setting for the conversation where the interviewee feels at ease.

What should I avoid when asking questions about someone’s life?

• Steer clear of intrusive or sensitive topics  unless the interviewee has expressed a willingness to address them.
• Avoid yes or no questions that might limit the depth of the conversation.
• Do not push for details if the interviewee is reluctant to share certain aspects of their life.

How do I know if a question is appropriate or not?

• Consider the comfort and cultural background of the individual.
• If in doubt, ask the interviewee if they are comfortable answering a particular type of question.
• Observe body language and cues to gauge if the interviewee might feel uneasy.

Final Thoughts

Interviewing someone about their life is akin to painting a portrait with words. The questions I have curated for you will help to reveal the subject’s deeper layers, highlight pivotal moments, and honor the unique journey of the individual.

Through this discerning exploration, you’ll not only have a series of responses but a narrative that resonates with the authentic human experience. The stories uncovered may surprise, inspire, or even challenge us, but they will certainly enrich our understanding of the diverse tapestry of human life.

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Standout Professional Bio Examples (And Why You Need One)

• Compelling examples of bios in multiple contexts

The difference between a resume and a professional bio

Who needs a professional bio.

A professional bio is one of the most important pieces of writing you have in your toolkit.

What career and business opportunities will yours open up?

Effective examples of bios in multiple contexts

When crafting a professional bio, be intentional about the content you include and tailor it according to your objectives.

You want to adjust it accordingly based on where it appears and what type of organization and industry you work for.

The purpose of a professional bio is generally to:

• State who you are and what you do
• Provide examples of your work experience that bolster your credibility
• Tell your story

How you go about accomplishing these three goals, however, will vary.

We compiled a variety of professional biographies and explain why they are effective to give you an idea of how to structure yours.

Company Website

If you are a senior executive, you may have a professional bio on your company’s website: this is the most common request we receive.

John Hartman | Equifax

John Hartman put together a classic example of an executive bio for the Equifax website.

His writing is clear, concise, and follows the standard structure for an effective bio by providing:

• Name and current role at Equifax
• Previous experience at Equifax
• Early career history
• Education summary

If you’re looking for a conventional executive bio, you’ll want to follow this format.

It’s perfectly acceptable to use the bio you have on your company’s website for LinkedIn.

However, don’t forget that LinkedIn is still a social media platform, so it’s okay to infuse a bit more personality into it !

Jay Shetty | Personal Brand

Jay Shetty's profile headline and introduction quickly grab the reader's attention: “Meet the former monk who is making wisdom go viral.”

He further builds his credibility by explaining that he has 200 million views on social media, over one million followers, and was selected for Forbes 30 Under 30.

His bio also includes information about his education and career history while infusing elements of his story (we’ll forgive him for grammar errors and focus on content – because it is quite strong).

At the end, he also provides a preferred method of contact.

You should consider including your email address or a link to your LinkedIn profile as well – especially if your bio doubles as a marketing tool.

Need help crafting a compelling executive bio? Learn more  about our professional bio writing service!

Personal Website

We’re increasingly seeing freelancers and even professionals in the corporate sector building personal websites that serve as an online resume, so to speak.

If you are a freelancer or run your own business, think carefully about your copy and what kind of message you are sending to your readers.

• What kind of impression will they have of you and your business after reading your bio?
• Does your bio leave them inspired and wanting to talk to you further?
• What is the image you are trying to convey? Do you want to come off as polished and professional, engaging, fun, or simply vanilla? 

Melanie Everett | melanieeverettco.com

Melanie Everett runs an independent real estate firm in Chicago.

Coming from a journalism background, she has leveraged her writing skills to drive her real estate business. She currently ranks in the top 1% of real estate agents in Chicago.

Conference or Event Pamphlet

If you are speaking on a panel or delivering a keynote speech, you may have the opportunity to provide a bio to be featured in the event’s print materials.

For these types of communications, you’ll want your bio to be shorter than what you might include on a company page or LinkedIn summary.

These executive bios build credibility for you and your company while positioning you as an expert on the topic you will be speaking about.

Vera Manoukian | Hilton

Hilton’s Vera Manoukian provided this bio when she spoke on a panel titled “The Rebirth of Full-Service Hotels,” effectively demonstrating her leadership experience in the hospitality sector.

Nonprofit Bio

Executive bios for nonprofit organizations often employ a storytelling approach to introduce readers to the organization’s mission and impact.

Ben Justus | EGBOK Mission

In his bio, Ben explains why he started EGBOK, the work his organization does, and how it has grown.

When you contribute to an industry blog, you may have the opportunity to include additional information that showcases why you are an authority on the topic.

In this context, your bio can also serve as publicity for your company.

Arianna Huffington | THRIVE Global

Brian X. Chen | The New York Times

Other times, you may have very limited space to work with, making it especially important to consider how each word is adding value.

A resume and professional bio are both personal marketing documents, but they are used in different contexts.

Resumes are generally used to apply for a job. They are written in third person, follow a conventional structure, and are predominantly based on facts and achievements .

Professional bios , on the other hand, provide a more informal narrative that serves as a compelling elevator pitch.

Professionals of all experience levels can benefit from a bio.

As an executive, you should have a long and short version of a professional bio to use on:

• Corporate or personal websites
• Company marketing brochures
• Conference materials

If you are a student , you can use yours as a LinkedIn summary or on the webpage of a campus organization you are a part of. You never know who might come across it!

We hope these examples have given you inspiration and an understanding of what to include in your bio.

When writing yours, remember to keep the following in mind:

The best bios are written thoughtfully and intentionally, so it’s not something you want to leave to the last minute!

Need a compelling executive bio? You can order our professional bio writing service here !

About resume pilots.

Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.

As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.

Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.

Here's how we can help you:

Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services : If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.

Executive Resume Template Downloads : If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.

To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email [email protected] .

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About the Author Matt Glodz

Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer. After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents. At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.

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How to Write a Professional Bio

Follow these guidelines and examples for a professional bio that stands out to hiring managers.

How to Write a Bio

Are you trying to get noticed by clients or hiring managers? A professional bio can help you stand out from the crowd by showcasing a bit about who you are and what you strive for in your work. However, writing a professional biography is easier said than done. It can feel awkward to write about yourself and express your worth fluently, so here are a few tips to help you get the process started.

Here are some essential elements in any professional bio:

Getty Images

• Your name and professional title.
• What you do in your current position.
• Your branding statement.
• One to two outstanding professional accomplishments with measurable results.
• One to two personal details to describe your personality.

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You can post your professional bio on your personal website, your personal blog, your company's website, your professional portfolio, your LinkedIn "about" section, your Facebook business page and on other social media pages such as Instagram. While the length of your bio will vary depending on where you are wanting to publish it, using that outline of elements will help you create a complete bio.

For example, if you post your bio in your "about” section on LinkedIn, you are limited to about 2,000 characters; your own website could include a lengthier bio on its own page. A short professional bio would work best on your social media pages; consider including your professional title and branding statement.

How to Start a Biography

You may know who you are professionally, but it can be hard to articulate this clearly and precisely, especially in writing. To start, create an outline of what you want to include in your bio using the elements above. You can use your resume and other documents where you've tracked your professional accomplishments to help you, but avoid copying and pasting from there.

You can also look up the professional bios of successful professionals that you admire. What items do they include? What impresses you about their bios? While you don’t want to copy their bios, you can take note of the elements that speak to you and then try to emulate that in your own bio.

To help you come across authentically in your bio, think about what you would say out loud to someone if they asked you about the items on the list above. For example, how would you explain what you do for work or what your branding statement is? Write down what you would say. This can help you to “see” your voice on paper.

Keep in mind that, generally, a professional bio should be written in third person , especially if it’s for a company website. However, there are exceptions to this. For example, your “about” section on LinkedIn should be written in first person.

Your Name and Professional Title

Include your full name and your title. If you don’t have a job currently, list your last job title or what you are certified for. For example: John Doe, Marketing Director.

What You Do in Your Current Position

This helps the reader understand what you do and if you would be a good fit for their organization. For example: John specializes in all forms of digital marketing including social media marketing, online advertising and search engine optimization.

List Your Branding Statement

This is a sentence or two that reflects your professional values and how you stand out from others in the industry. For example: John is diligent and adapts seamlessly to constantly evolving processes and technologies. This allows him to provide the best service possible to his customers.

List Outstanding Professional Accomplishments

Listing a few accomplishments allows readers to understand your level of expertise and how you positively contribute to your organization or industry. Examples could include how you have helped the company save money, increased visibility or attained positive results for your clients.

List Personal Details

Listing a few personal details can help the reader connect with you on a more personal level. If they connect with you, they will be more likely to reach out to you. Examples could include hobbies , pets, a favorite movie or interesting details about your background. Of course, make sure that you feel comfortable with any personal details that you choose to share with your readers.

How to Write a Bio for Work

If your company has asked you to write a professional bio for their webpage, make sure you include the requested elements. If you are unsure, ask your supervisor for additional information. Also, check the “about” page of your company and take note of what those in higher positions have included in their bios. Try to follow that same format and order of information. This shows attention to detail on your part and also speaks to your professional worth. When you have finished your professional bio, ask someone you trust to proofread it for grammatical errors and clarity.

Professional Bio Examples

Here are a few examples of what a short professional bio could look like:

Sample 1: Empathetic family medicine physician leveraging 10+ years of experience promoting health and improving the quality of patients through changes in research, medical education and patient care across organizations and the community. Known for innovative, tactical thinking, and an authentic, influential leadership style. Skilled in building the relationships, consensus and strategic partnerships needed to move large-scale and challenging initiatives forward.

Sample 2: Certified career coach, speaker, author and national career expert with over 21 years of experience. Her company Create Your Career Path is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. She is regularly featured in the media and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois. With over 1,500 success stories, her team of coaches and resume writers help professionals find jobs that make them want to jump out of bed in the morning to go to work.

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professional bio interview questions

A professional bio can help you stand out from the crowd by showcasing a little about who you are and what you strive for in your work if you’re trying to get noticed by clients or hiring managers. However, writing a professional biography is easier said than done. Here are a few pointers to get you started on writing about yourself and expressing your value in a confident manner because it can be uncomfortable.

• What is your name?
• Do you have any nicknames?
• When and where were you born?
• When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
• Where have you lived?
• How would you describe your cultural identity?
• What is your favorite hobby?
• What is your favorite travel destination?

Bio Interview Questions and Answers 2019 Part-1 | Bio Interview Questions | WisdomJobs

Biography Interview Questions: What Is Special about Them?

When it comes to creating bios that sound impressive, most people don’t actually understand one thing. This is due to the fact that there should be a guideline to adhere to in order to keep them on track when creating content for their intended audience. Find out how we can help you write a company profile.

Perhaps for this reason, when writing your own biography, it has always been crucial to pay attention to the interview questions. You may be wondering why you need this. Make sure you have a blueprint to work from because that is one of its most important goals. The majority of biographies don’t convey the right messages, and there is every reason to suspect that the authors or owners have fallen short of a specific standard that will set them apart.

This post will be able to assist you if you have been struggling to write an impressive biography because you don’t have a good guide. This is so that it can demonstrate some of the intriguing interview questions for biographies. These are expert questions for a biography that will help you understand how to properly format yours. Just be sure to read them thoroughly, choose the ones you believe are most appropriate for your field, and use them right away to wow your target audience.

The Professional Biography Interview Questions

To properly respond to this, you’ll need to engage in some reflective thinking. You can only provide a meaningful response by considering the various instances in which you have had the most positive impact on people’s lives. This has a significant place in your biography and cannot be disregarded in any way.

As you write your biography in an effort to impress your audience, this is yet another query that may inspire your level of creativity. You need to sit down and think about your career, including how it began, the various highs and lows you’ve experienced, and the factors that have really shaped who you are today. Click and see bio for Facebook examples.

To respond to this question right away, you must be as original as you can. What you believe in and the legacy you want to leave behind will determine whether you are someone who adds value or someone who uses his time wisely. The quote “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” from the book Strength to Love is a good example of how this is explained.

Choose the accomplishments that you feel most proud of and list your accomplishments in order of importance on a piece of rough paper.

Analyze your most valuable abilities and how they contribute to the work you do to provide an answer to this question. Keep in mind that it is these that will set you apart from the competition. As a result, you must make sure your writing is original and that it is thoroughly explained using examples or personal anecdotes.

This query will assist you in adding unique and individual information to your bio. You can respond to this question with three words that you believe best describe you or with a slightly longer response. If answering this question presents a challenge for you, you can always ask your friends and family for assistance. Use the words that are repeated in your selection in your biography.

Make sure to relate your response to the subject of your bio when responding to this question. For instance, if you want to concentrate on your career, pick hobbies related to your line of work.

This query will enable you to give your biography a more humanitarian tone. You’ll feel more connected to the readers and they’ll get a fuller picture of who you are as a person. Someone who cares about social and/or environmental causes in addition to possessing the abilities and experience necessary to be a strong candidate

Give a succinct response to what you hope to accomplish in the future. Explain why and how would you do it. To give a thorough response, connect your answer to your top abilities, educational background, and career aspirations.

How to Start a Biography

Even though you may be aware of who you are professionally, it can be challenging to put this into writing. Create an outline of your desired bio using the aforementioned components to get started. You can use your resume and other records of your professional achievements to your advantage, but refrain from copying and pasting directly from them.

You can also look up the resumes of accomplished individuals you respect. While you don’t want to copy their bios, you can take note of the elements that speak to you and then try to emulate that in your own bio. What do they include? What impresses you about their bios.

Think about what you would say aloud to someone if they asked you about the things on the list above to help you sound genuine in your bio. Write down what you would say to someone who asked you to describe, for instance, what you do for a living or your mission statement. This can help you to “see” your voice on paper.

Remember that a professional bio should typically be written in the third person, especially if it is intended for a company website. However, there are exceptions to this. You should write in the first person when writing your LinkedIn “about” section, for instance.

How to adapt your bio for different situations

You should adapt your “master professional bio” for various circumstances now that you have one.

Imagine a specific reader and what they would want to know about you before writing for them in each iteration of your bio. For illustration, suppose you serve on your college’s alumni panel. Students in attendance will want to know what they can do right away to obtain your career. In this situation, your bio should emphasize your earlier campus activities, classes, early-career internships, and jobs rather than your current day-to-day work obligations.

Below, we’ve provided examples and detailed advice for some of the most typical situations in which you’ll need to write a professional bio.

What should a professional biography include?

• Job title or workplace.
• University degree and other qualifications.
• Hometown or city of residence.
• Personal or professional goals.
• Mission statement and values.
• Skills and expertise.
• Interests and hobbies.

How do you write a biography for an interview?

• Your current job title.
• Your company name or personal brand statement.
• Your hometown.
• Your alma mater.
• Your personal and professional goals.
• A relevant achievement or accomplishment.
• Your hobbies.

What is a biographical question?

Examples of biographical questions: Describe yourself, what you can bring to the company, why this position in particular appeals to you, and what your strengths and weaknesses are.

How do I write a bio about myself?

• Your current role or professional tagline.
• Your company or personal brand.
• Your goals and aspirations.
• Your 2-3 most impressive and relevant achievements.
• One interesting fact about you, if applicable to the website

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4 Professional Bio Templates & Writing Tips

By Christina Colclough

Last updated: April 25, 2024

Without question, looking at the career bio gives recruiters a snapshot of the candidate’s experiences, abilities, and areas of expertise in the workplace. Professional bios are helpful not just for resumes but also for networking purposes and as a means of establishing credibility when you need to represent yourself and your ability or seek out new chances.

Here is my detailed step-by-step guide with templates for creating a simple yet compelling professional bio. Let’s check it out!

In this article:

What is professional bio and what should be included.

As you can tell by the name, a professional biography is a brief introduction to yourself, your career, and some highlights of your accomplishments. A short professional bio provides a more comprehensive overview of your personality to potential employers, coworkers, and others you are networking with.

I know the term “short” is ambiguous and has several meanings. The good news is that there is no set length for your bio—unless you’re working with a character or space constraint. Although most short biographies are between one and four paragraphs long, you are free to write yours as long as you believe it would be most effective.

What To Include In A Professional Bio

A potential employer, customer, or contact will frequently read your brief bio before contacting you, so it’s critical that it be truthful, educational, and memorable. It is advisable to incorporate:

• Current job title
• Personal brand statement or company name
• Personal and career goals
• Past professional achievements
• Relevant skills and expertise
• Personal interest and hobbies

How To Write A Professional Bio

Writing guide.

Use these guidelines to create a concise, compelling, and expert bio.

Step 1: Select the proper title and name for your profession.

Selecting an appropriate name and titles for a professional bio is the first step in writing one. The goal and target viewers of the bio could influence the choice of names and titles.

Some people decide not to include their given name in their bio, for instance, and instead use an alternative first name. Instead of taking on a new surname after marriage, other professionals stick to their former last name. You may also wish to include or exclude job titles like Esq (esquire), MD (medical doctor), or Pr (pastor), etc.

Step 2: Provide a summary of your current role or professional motto.

If you’re writing a bio while still working, include your title or role, such as “Editor” or “Senior Associate.” You can include your prior position or your present area of expertise in your bio if you are jobless and developing one for an internet presence. You may put “Professional Nanny” or “Web Developer”, for instance.

Step 3: Name your employer or firm (optional).

You may provide your readers with a better understanding of your experience, industry, and availability for a job by mentioning your present company. Determine your employer once you have determined your position, title, or function. Notice that this step is optional, and you may skip it if you work for yourself or don’t have an employer at the moment.

Step 4: Determine your career and personal objectives.

In this step, you need to ask yourself, what makes you succeed? To assist the reader in understanding what drives you, you could want to offer the response in your profile. For instance, you may write, “Building solid relationships is the cornerstone of my work, personally and professionally,” if you feel this is crucial for your job.

Step 5: Consider whether to include interesting or intimate information about yourself.

Most of the time, you are not required to include personal information in your bio. On the other hand, it might be advantageous in some circumstances to help others understand you as a complete person.

Popular personal information in bio examples include:

• Favorite films, TV series, or novels
• Details on the family
• Facts about a person’s interests or habits
• Personal background

Sample Of General Staff Bio Template

(Your Name) is a (job title) who works with (who/company you help) and (how you assist them).

I/ He/She (believes/knows) (what you believe/know about your job).

I/ He/She have (supported/ worked at/ garnered/ secured/landed) (insert your most remarkable experiences and achievements). (Your first name) is a (certified/trained/awarded) (insert relevant certification, training, awards, etc). I/He/She holds a (cert/degree) in (study field) from (college/university).

Adapt Your Professional Biography For Different Forms And Situations

Linkedin summary.

First-time job seekers, here is something you might not know: LinkedIn is the hot spot for headhunters like me to seek outstanding candidates. So, it’s worth paying some attention to your LinkedIn profile. Determine how you now use LinkedIn and how you would like to utilize it. Are you happy where you work but want to get in more contacts? Do you want to draw in recruiters?

Your LinkedIn summary should reflect your engagement on the platform, regardless of what you’re looking for. For example, a profile devoted to industry networking would read differently from one that is actively seeking employment. Modifying the design above for your LinkedIn bio will be much simpler when you’ve determined your aim.

You should start the bio with your job position and any other information from the opening paragraph. Next, proceed with the accomplishments or abilities most pertinent to your LinkedIn objectives. Finally, articulate those objectives.

I have over eight years of expertise managing market share development in assigned areas as a field sales manager, and I am well-versed in pharmaceutical sales and territory prospecting. After refining and implementing these professional skills to meet multiple corporate objectives, I was honored to receive an invitation to become a member of the National Marketing Council. These days, much of my time is spent devising sales tactics and making connections with other business experts who are eager to discuss shops.

Twitter Bio

You may even stand out with a concise 160-character bio. Use the opening two phrases similar to the bio I just prepared to create a fantastic social media profile. It contains a wealth of amazing information about you and your work, including your educational background, interests, methods, and beliefs.

Then, make sure your statement is as brief as you can. Finally, add a little pizazz. Squeeze is the key term. Pay no attention to irrelevant features or oddities.

Head software developer at Belly and a proud eight-year member of @IEEEorg. Enthusiastic about new developments in mobile applications and code.

Company Website Blur

You can exclude certain common information, such as your title, and instead include relevant details that highlight your qualifications (or unique qualities) in a bio for your corporate website (such as on a staff page).

After all, your job title will probably be shown by default, and everybody reading this bio knows where and who you work for. Therefore, you may use the template’s second and third paragraphs to write a bio highlighting your distinctive qualities.

Margot attained the highest CEM-seller position by surpassing all Clarabridge sales targets by a minimum of 84%. This prepared her for the demanding key role of developing sales strategies for the NASP (National Association of Sales Professionals). Clarabridge has become a national leader because of her astute and creative ideas in sales force growth, and she has a talented and competent staff to assist them in upholding the high bar she helped create.

Portfolio Or Personal Website

This is the moment to fully expose yourself to your viewers. You are free to modify and expand on any parts of the professional bio you wrote using the above template, and you may use as much of it as you wish. Provide a compelling “About Me” page explaining your value to potential employers or partners and why you’re the right candidate.

Chad Wilborn enhances digital marketing initiatives for businesses on the West Coast by simplifying intricate technological concepts into visually appealing images. His expertise includes several marketing and visual design initiatives focused on updating the customer experience, along with training in traditional advertising. Chad’s portfolio shows off his ability to make the most of every frame and pixel for the benefit of new or existing businesses looking to connect with customers. Having won several design and branding accolades with his services, he is eager to assist your business to achieve optimal sales growth.

Tips For Writing Career Bio

Writing about yourself may still be challenging, even after reading my bio-writing advice. Self-promotion can be draining, even for the most self-assured individual. But have no fear! You don’t have to pull teeth to coherently maintain your “about me” writing. Here are some of my tips that you might find useful

• Avoid overanalyzing it: It’s OK that most bios follow a template. Generally speaking, you won’t need to deviate too much from the ordinary to stand out on professional biographies, LinkedIn summaries, or speaker bios at events. Making your bio stand out from the crowd may be as simple as including a word that describes interesting accomplishments.
• Be concise: I’m sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but most individuals don’t have enough patience or time to read a seven-paragraph essay detailing your personal life narrative. Thus, avoid using run-on phrases and to make your statements concise.
• Being relatable: This can help you build stronger relationships with people, regardless of your accomplishments. It might benefit you to emphasize your brand and add personal characteristics in this situation. Becoming relatable may help others understand you better and decide whether you would make a good employee, whether that’s through a hobby, passion, or other function outside of work.
• Avoid expressing negativity: This is particularly important if you update your bio following a termination or layoff. Despite how tempting it may be, refrain from expressing unfavorable remarks or charges in your bio. You’ll go far with positivity and a positive outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should bio be in the third person.

It depends. Although writing your professional bio in the third person is more customary, writing it in the first person is acceptable if you want to utilize it in a more casual setting. One thing to bear in mind is that writing about successes in the third person might seem more natural since it allows you to mentally distance yourself from coming off as boasting about your awesomeness.

Should A Bio Include A Picture?

Yes. Although biographies serve as a professional synopsis, adding a little personality is acceptable. And uploading a photo is the best way to do so. The picture you choose to put in your bio should ideally be a headshot taken by a professional. This will help increase professionalism and credibility.

What Tense Should A Bio Be Written In?

You can write your bio in either the past or present tense as long as you maintain the same tense throughout your writing. Using past tense gives the reader the impression that they are learning about the subject’s growth and accomplishments in great detail. Nonetheless, there can be situations in which you can use the present tense to showcase your continued influence or current activities.

See more: Samples and Tips To Write A Letter Of Intent 20 Examples of Fun Facts About Me 144 “Get To Know You” Questions For Work

The Bottom Line

You’ve read such excellent examples of professional biography templates. Let’s get started and write your professional bio now. Compile a list of the things you believe your bio should cover if you are experiencing blank page anxiety.

For instance, your primary competencies, professional experiences, and employment status. Before you reach the final version, create a draft, set it aside for a bit, read it again, make edits, and evaluate it.

Christina J. Colclough

Dr Christina J. Colclough is an expert on The Future World of Work and the politics of digital technology advocating globally for the importance of the workers’ voice. She has extensive regional and global labour movement experience, is a sought-after keynote speaker, coach, and strategist advising progressive governments and worker organisations.

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Great Interview Questions

Great interviews start with great questions. We do professional oral history interviewing for families, as part of bigger history projects, and books and have done thousands, so we have learned a thing or two. Here are some question lists and other resources to get you started.

Related: Why oral history is important

It’s a good idea to go into an interview with a few questions prepared , and especially highlight any that you want to  make sure you ask. However, often an ice breaker and a well-chosen question here and there will keep the conversation going. It’s a positive sign when not all your questions are used in an interview (they rarely are).

Also, most interviewees appreciate receiving a few questions in advance. When sending, indicate that they are simply food for thought and the interview will not follow a rigid format. If only one interview is done with a subject, ask a variety of questions on different topics. You might check out our top 10 list as a handy reference, listed below. If a series of interviews is envisioned, it’s helpful to focus on themes in each interview.

If you are interested in preserving life stories , our online course contains an excellent segment on oral history. You can complete this fun and engaging self-paced course over a weekend, or spread it out through a month. (Course access remains open for a year). Click here to preview.

Categories of Questions  

• 10 Universal questions for anyone
• Childhood, school and hometown
• Relationship questions
• Family life as an adult
• Work and profession
• Spirituality, religion and values

Questions for Veterans

10 universal interview questions.

This is a great list for a stand-alone interview and is a handy grab-and-go cheat sheet. Some of the questions are repeated in other categories.

• Where were you born?
• Tell me about your childhood, what was the best part? Worst?
• Who was the most influential person in your life?
• What is your profession and why?
• What was the happiest time of your life?
• Tell about a time when you didn’t know if you would make it.
• Who is the love of your life and how did you meet?
• What is your passion (or a favorite hobby?)
• What is your favorite memory of me?
• What do you value most and why?

Get our free printable:

Quick interviewing resources

Before we continue with more questions, we want to make you aware of other resources we have compiled to help you.

• Oral history mini course online : video tutorials and checklists will help you feel confident with audio, transcribing and especially listening. It takes less than 2 hours to complete but will save you so much time! 
• If you would like help getting started with interviewing, sign up to receive our free 7-day interviewing mini tutorial
• You can click here to get a free printable of our favorite questions
• Here is a landing page of our many interviewing resources
• In our professional work, we give a pretty booklet of questions to people in advance. Click here to get the booklet on Amazon .
• If you are writing a memoir or family history, hre is a landing page of writing tools
• Finally, we do this work professionally and offer gift certificates to interview you or a loved one. Click here to see our oral history services .

Childhood, School and Hometown

• What is your earliest memory?
• Who are your parents? Where did they grow up?
• How many siblings do you have and where do you fall in your family?
• What were your chores?
• What is your hometown, and what was it like when you were young?
• Did you like school?
• What did you do for fun?
• How did you celebrate holidays?
• How did you celebrate holidays? Did your family have some special holiday traditions?
• What were your favorite meals?
• What were some memorable trips or outings?
• Can you think of any funny stories from your youth?
• What is an object you still have from your childhood and what is the story behind it? 
• What is a moment from your life that you wish you had a photograph? 

Related: The best affordable microphones we have tried

Family Life as an Adult

• Are you or have you ever been married?
• Do you have children?
• What are traditions you established in your family?
• What were your favorite trips or outings?
• Where do you live now and why?
• Who is your best friend?
• What was the happiest time in your adult life so far? Why?
• What was the hardest time? How did you get through it?
• What were the most important values you wanted to teach your family?
• How would you want your loved ones to remember you?

Related: Our favorite digital recorder – a review

Relationship Questions

Editor’s note: This category is not limited to marriage or intimate partner. These questions can also apply to a great friend or business partner.

• How did you meet? (Note: This is such a simple question yet it is an effective ice breaker)
• What are some of your early and best memories together?
• Do you have a song, “our song?”
• Did you ever break up?
• Was there ever a time or times when you didn’t know if your relationship would make it?
• When and how did you know it was meant to be?
• What are the challenges in your relationship?
• How do you work through disagreements or differences?
• What are some of your best fun memories together?
• Do any trips or vacations together especially stand out?
• Can you think of a low point in your life when the other person was there for you?
• How do you keep your relationship strong?
• How are you alike, and how are you different?
• What do you admire most about the other person?
• What are the other person’s quirks or personality traits that you love?
• How are you better together than without the other person?
• Thinking of your relationship, what advice would you give a young person, such as your children?
• Can you think of long-standing inside jokes, or phrases you tell each other?
• What are some of the activities that you share, that maybe other people wouldn’t understand or that are unique to your relationship?
• What are your dreams for the future together?
• Would you say that this person is the love of your life?

Professional interviewer’s note: starting any interview by asking how two people met is a great way to break the ice!

Related: Become a master business storyteller with these 5 questions

Work and Profession

• What was your first job?
• What is your profession or job?
• Do you like your job?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• How did you get into this line of work?
• Have you belonged to any civic or professional organizations?
• Have you ever been involved in politics or a political cause?
• What are you proudest of in your career?
• Who was your greatest mentor?
• What is your passion and how did you get started with it?

Related article: How to inspire others with your canon of business stories

Spirituality, Religion and Values

• Have you ever experienced a miracle or an answer to a prayer?
• Do you believe in God?
• Do you associate with a religion or spiritual practice?
• If you attend religious services, where do you attend? Why do you choose worship with that particular congregation or community?
• What was the most powerful spiritual experience of your life?
• What are you proudest of in your life?
• What do you regret?
• If you could share with your family your most important values, what would you say?
• What experiences in your life that taught you these values?

Related: Is yours a redemption story?

• Did you enlist or were you drafted?
• Why did you choose that branch of the service?
• When and where did you serve?
• What were your job duties?
• If you saw combat, how did you feel when witnessing casualties and destruction? ( For help with sensitive subjects, click here. )
• What kinds of friendships and camaraderie did you form while serving, and with whom?
• How did you stay in touch with family and friends back home?
• What did you do for recreation?
• What did you learn from your time in the military?
• What would you want to share with future generations your service , and your feelings about our country?

Related: Here is a comprehensive list of  Questions for Veterans  (published by the  Library of Congress Veteran History Project)

Other resources for you

We do this work for a living and can use our experience to help you get it done! We conduct oral history interviews in person, which can make a great gift . We regularly teach classes in person and online for the DIY personalities and natural writers. We also write life stories and help others write theirs through our writing groups and educational emails. Do you have a question? Let us know! Click here to reach out.

Index of interviewing resources

• You might want to check out our index page of interviewing resources .
• Want great audio? Read our article with 12 steps for the best audio and how to save it.
• Need to transcribe your interview? Click here for a detailed article on how to efficiently transcribe audio .

Free Interviewing Mini tutorial PDF  

To motivate and help you do great interviews, we created a  free 7-day interviewing mini course that’s printable and self-paced. Click on the link for a free download. We hope you find it helpful!

How to do oral history interviews course  

By completing this short course, you will feel confident and prepared to conduct life story interviews. Receive thorough, yet easy-to-understand answers to questions such as: What is the power of voice to evoke memories and inspire others? Should you use a digital recorder, or app on your phone, or both? What are best practices for doing interviews by Zoom/Teams/Google Meet? Which microphones are worth the money? What are the most efficient methods for transcribing audio? Why is oral history the easiest, and most powerful way to capture a life story?

Click here to preview or enroll. I’m so happy to say our students have loved it! You can see their thoughts on our courses, printables, and services here .

We hope that these resources help you do engaging and meaningful interviews. We know this work is worth it, and you can do it. Do it now and it will be enough.

Patty Gardell's Wiki: Age, Bio, Husband, Kids, Career, Net Worth

P atty Gardell gained recognition through her marriage to Billy Gardell, a well-known actor and comedian. Billy became widely known for his role as Mike Biggs, a Chicago police officer, on the sitcom Mike & Molly.

He has also appeared in numerous TV shows and films, such as Bob Hearts Abishola, Monopoly Millionaires’ Club, and Once Upon a Time in Venice. Throughout their time together, Patty has been a strong motivator for Billy’s accomplishments.

Patty Gardell Profile Summary

Full name: Patty Gardell

Date of birth: 1980

Age: 44 years old (2024)

Zodiac sign: Aries

Place of birth: United States

Gender: Female

Parents: Nettie Hynes Carr and Jim

Ethnicity: Mixed

Nationality: American

Religion: Christianity

Sexual orientation: Straight

Marital status: Married

Husband: Billy Gardell

Children: William III

Weight: 55 kg

Height: 1.65 m

Eye color: Dark brown

Hair color: Blonde

Patty Gardell’s birth year is 1980, however, she has not revealed her specific date of birth. Nettie Haynes Carr and Jim are her parents. Nettie, her mother, is a well-educated individual.

After attending Vidalia High School, she continued her education at Augusta State University. Following her graduation from Augusta, Nettie pursued accountancy at Ogeechee Technical College. Patty Gardell’s family is comprised of three siblings as well.

Husband Billy Gardell

Patty Gardell gained recognition as the wife of Billy Gardell , to whom she got married in 2001. The details of how the couple met and fell in love are unknown.

Billy Gardell, a well-known American actor and stand-up comedian, portrayed the character of Mike Biggs, a Chicago police officer, on the show Mike & Molly . Additionally, he had a repeating part as Billy Colivida on Yes, Dear and made appearances as a police officer in twelve episodes of My Name Is Earl.

However, they had been in a happy marriage for several years before officially tying the knot in a ceremony held in Los Angeles, California. In 2003, they welcomed their son, William Gardell.

William has reached adulthood and is now a young man. It has been over two decades since their marriage, and their love for each other continues to flourish. There is no indication or speculation of any infidelity or separation in their relationship.

Although she holds a bachelor’s degree, Patty Gardell has chosen to prioritize her role as a housewife and caretaker for her family rather than pursuing a career. She values her family above achieving personal success and therefore has not revealed any information about her occupation.

Patty finds great pleasure in bonding with her family. The trio can often be seen together, exploring various exotic locations. As Billy pursues his acting career, Patty serves as his motivation and source of pride.

Patty Gardell has chosen to keep her net worth undisclosed, leaving uncertainty about the extent of her wealth. However, her husband’s net worth exceeds $8 million, indicating that she likely shares in his success as an actor. Even before marrying Billy, Patty lived a privileged life due to her wealthy family background.

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How to Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

Strategies to navigate this complicated (and awkward) question.

There are many interview questions that inspire dread in an interviewee — from “What’s your greatest weakness?” to “Tell me about yourself.” But one in particular is especially complicated: “What are your salary expectations?” If you go too low, you might end up making less than they’re willing to pay. But if you go too high, you could price yourself out of the job. In this piece, the author offers practical strategies for how to approch this question along with sample answers to use as a guide.

Job interviews can feel awkward. You’re trying to prove you’re the right person for the role, but you never quite know what to expect or what your interviewer is really thinking about you. One of the most common interview questions — and one of the more awkward ones — is about salary. You know the one: What are your salary expectations?

• Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, cohost of the Women at Work podcast , and the author of two books: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict . She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. Watch her TEDx talk on conflict and follow her on LinkedIn . amyegallo

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Here’s What Has Happened to Kevin Von Erich Since the Events of The Iron Claw

Kevin Von Erich, portrayed in the movie by Zac Efron, and his sons are still involved in professional wrestling today despite the tragedies that befell their family.

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Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers about events related to the movie The Iron Claw .

Given the tragic toll professional wrestling took on his family, it would have been understandable for Kevin Von Erich to turn his back on the sport completely. Instead, the 66-year-old subject of the movie The Iron Claw is again embracing the legacy of his late father and brothers—and even stepping back into the ring.

Kevin is played by Zac Efron in the movie and is now the last Von Erich brother alive. Today, he carries on the family tradition as a public speaker and supporter of his sons’ wrestling careers.

Kevin moved with his family to Hawaii after retiring from wrestling

Following the deadly tragedies that befell his family, Kevin retired as a full-time professional wrestler in 1993 and has only made guest appearances at shows since.

According to the Dallas Morning News , he and his wife, Pam (played in the movie by Lily James ), moved to Hawaii in 2006 and raised their children. Their sons, Ross and Marshall, became pro wrestlers like their father, and they also have two daughters, Kristen and Jillian. The family maintained a seven-acre ranch complete with farm animals such as chickens and goats.

In May 2023, Marshall shared that he, Ross, and their dad would all be relocating to Boerne, Texas, to set up the new “Von Erich headquarters.”

He was recently back in the ring with his sons

Although his days as a regular performer are long behind him, Kevin is very active in his sons’ careers and isn’t afraid to break out the iron claw, the family dynasty’s signature move, on special occasion.

In December 2023, Marshall and Ross made their in-ring debuts for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor. On the December 15 episode of the weekly AEW television program Rampage , held at the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where the Von Erich family built their fame decades earlier, the brothers teamed with Orange Cassidy in a six-man tag team match. When their opponents took apparent issue with their victory, attacking the trio after the match, Kevin made his way to the squared circle and delivered his family’s iconic grapple to AEW superstar Jake Hager.

Kevin and his sons then stood together, arms raised in celebration, for the cheering crowd. “It was so great to come to Texas, where we do everything hard,” Kevin said in a video Marshall shared on X (formerly Twitter). “We hit hard, we fight hard, we claw hard. That’s a great night.”

Kevin has recently revisited his career and family history as a public speaker

In addition to catching the dramatized portrayal of the Von Erich dynasty in The Iron Claw, you can hear the family’s true story from Kevin himself. In 2023, Kevin partnered with Texas sportscaster Dale Hansen for a speaking tour called Stories from the Top Rope, in which the wrestler discussed the legacy of his father and brothers and shared behind-the-scenes stories from their careers. According to Wrestling News , the speaking events were Von Erich’s first public appearances in more than two decades.

He saw The Iron Claw and gave his approval

The majority of critics applauded The Iron Claw , with the movie holding a 89 percent Rotten Tomatoes score since its early release. But one important review mattered more to Efron than all the rest: that of Kevin Von Erich.

The wrestling great has already seen the movie and is a fan, telling 36-year-old Efron as much in a personal conversation prior to The Iron Claw ’s world premiere in November 2023. “I was very curious about what he thought of the movie. We went out to the patio, sat forehead to forehead, and talked about life for an hour and a half. And he told me that he did enjoy the movie,” Efron told Variety . “I can’t really put into words how that feels. It’s far and away the most important review to me on so many levels.”

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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