Biodata is short for biographical data. This is a document that provides an overview of your personal background. It gives the reader a snapshot of who you are by highlighting personal details like family, education, and traits.
Despite the increasing prevalence of Westernized CVs and resumes, biodata is still used in both job applications and marriage proposals in South Asia. Outside that region, no countries use a biodata format (although some countries in East Asia or Africa use CVs containing a lot of information similar to that found in biodata).
Much like a resume or CV, biodata also showcases your professional qualifications and experience. But, it focuses more on highlighting your personal information such as family background and physical characteristics.
Biodata vs. resume vs. CV
Biodata:
- Less emphasis on professional experience, more on personal background, including details on family background and physical characteristics.
- Mostly used for marriage proposals and less commonly used for job applications.
- A popular application format in South Asian countries.
Resume:
- An organized and professional document that outlines your professional experience, skills, and education in 1–2 pages.
- Tailored to specific job descriptions, highlighting achievements and qualifications that are relevant to the company’s requirements.
- The standard job application format in the US.
It's also worth noting that not all resumes are the same. There are some small differences, for example, between a US resume and a Canadian resume.
Need help writing a resume? Try using our AI resume builder! It's free, and you can generate bullet points tailored to your role and job description.
CV:
- A detailed and professional document that outlines your career history, education, and skills in 1–2 pages, but sometimes three pages for academic and research job applications.
- Typically used for academic, research, or international job applications. However, when applying for an academic role, this is usually referred to as an academic CV.
- The standard job application format in the UK and most European countries.
If you're interested in new roles in the UK, learn how to write and format UK CVs.
Standard Biodata Format Example for a Professional Job Application
Why this biodata example works
- Organized structure: the biodata follows a logical and organized format, making key details such as your educational qualifications stand out.
- Targeted profile summary: the summary concisely highlights relevant professional strengths, industry experience, and areas of expertise.
- Quantifiable achievements: showcases tangible impact in previous roles to emphasize the candidate’s skills.
- Clear academic background: the education section provides a comprehensive view of the candidate’s academic strengths.
- Balanced skills: a well-rounded list of skills are presented, showcasing a broader picture of the candidate’s capabilities.
Side Note: the sections used in the biodata example above are also similar to the standard resume sections. If you're interested, read more on resume formats.
How to Create a Standard Biodata for a Professional Job Application
Here are the steps to create a biodata for a professional job application:
- Start with your personal background information
- Add a professional photo (optional)
- Create a succinct profile that summarizes your employment background or objectives
- List your educational qualifications
- Showcase your professional work experience
- Make a list of key competencies in a skills section
- Create an additional section (optional)
- Make a formal declaration
- Stick to formal formatting
Below, we’ll cover each step in more detail, including what to put in each section so you know exactly how to present your information in a way that aligns with the standard biodata format.
1. Start with your personal background information
Here are the personal details to include in the biodata header section:
- Full name
- Job title or position
- Phone number
- Email address
- Location (address and city)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Nationality
- Religion
- Marital status
Other personal details that you may include:
- Father’s name
- Mother’s name
- Place of birth
- Languages
- Academic qualifications
- Languages
- LinkedIn profile or portfolio website
If you’re unsure what to include and what to skip, double-check the job listing you’re considering. Pay extra attention to details marked as “required.”
2. Add a professional photo (optional)
Including a professional headshot isn’t always required in every region or organization, but if applicable, it can help your application stand out.
Your biodata photo should be formal and professional—avoid casual or personal images, like a beach photo or one with a drink in hand. Instead, choose a photo that reflects a corporate demeanor—wear formal clothes and stand against a neutral or plain background.
3. Create a succinct profile that summarizes your employment background or objectives
Put together a concise profile that provides an overview of your professional skills and career highlights. In other words, write a summary about how your professional background makes you the right candidate for the job.
If you lack experience, provide an overview of your qualifications and career goals. Focus on writing an objective statement that’s relevant to the organization’s needs.
Biodata summary example:
Specialized public administrator with over 5 years of experience managing community programs and public initiatives. Skilled in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and budget management, with a proven track record of improving service delivery by more than 20%. Adept at coordinating cross-functional teams to meet government program management goals efficiently and effectively.
Biodata objectives example:
Experienced public administrator with expertise in policy implementation and community engagement. Seeking to leverage these strengths in a government project manager role to drive effective public initiatives and enhance service delivery.
Need help writing a summary? You can use our AI Resume Summary Generator. Simply enter the job title and skills you want to highlight. Next, click “AI Writer Ready.” It’ll then draft a summary tailored to your professional background.
4. List your educational qualifications
In the education section of your biodata, list your academic achievements and qualifications.
Start with your highest level of education. State the degree title, followed by the name of the institution where you earned your degree, and then enter the location by city or state.
Depending on the organization, you may also need to go as far back as including your elementary or high school.
Additional details that you can share include:
- Awards, honors, and distinctions
- Relevant coursework or minors
- Significant roles you held in extracurricular activities
- Grades (if above 80%)
Biodata education example:
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Graduated: 2020
• Graduated with Distinction (85%)
• Relevant coursework: Public Policy Analysis, Budgeting and Financial Management, Government Relations
• Awarded Best Thesis for research on community-based governance programs
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
Graduated: 2018
• Extracurricular: President of the Student Government Association
• Minor in Economics
• Graduated with First Class Honors (82%)
5. Detail your professional work experience
Use a work experience section to outline your employment history. When describing a previous role, include the following details:
- Job title
- Name of company
- Location (city, country)
- Employment dates
Similar to a reverse chronological resume, start by listing your most recent or current role and work your way backward. When determining how many jobs to list, you can follow a similar rule of thumb for how far back a resume should go. In other words, listing 3–5 roles should be enough.
Afterward, provide 1–3 bullet points highlighting key responsibilities and achievements.
Focus on relevant experience that proves you’re capable of carrying out the job requirements. Start each bullet point with an action verb, followed by the task or responsibility. Finish the bullet point by including the result or outcome achieved. Specify both tasks and accomplishments using numbers.
Biodata work experience section example:
Government Program Manager
Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi, India
January 2021 – Present
• Led the implementation of community development projects across 10 rural districts, benefiting over 50,000 residents.
• Managed a budget of ₹15 crore, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and reducing project delays by 15%.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams and local governments to streamline service delivery and improve public engagement by 30%.
Public Policy Analyst
State Government of Haryana, Chandigarh, India
June 2018 – December 2020
• Analyzed and developed policy recommendations for environmental sustainability initiatives, resulting in a 25% increase in clean energy adoption.
• Conducted data-driven research to support the formulation of new agricultural subsidies, benefiting over 20,000 farmers.
• Organized stakeholder meetings with government officials and NGOs, improving collaboration on policy implementation.
You can also use professional AI writing tools like our own to help you complete your work experience section:
- Use the AI Bullet Point Writer tool to instantly generate bullet points highlighting your impact in a previous job, following the best writing practices.
- Use the AI Bullet Point Editor tool to rewrite a sentence you wrote and offer up to three alternative suggestions.
6. Include key competencies in a skills section
List your core skills that are most relevant to the job in a skills section. If you have a range of skills to list, you can create categories in the skills section. This can include both technical skills and soft skills.
Additionally, be specific and use keywords from the organization’s job description.
Biodata skills section example:
Technical Skills
• Policy Development and Analysis
• Budget Management
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Project Management (Certified in PRINCE2)
• Public Sector Regulatory Compliance
Soft Skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leadership and Team Coordination
• Strategic Planning
• Communication
• Public Speaking
• Problem-Solving
7. Create an additional section (optional)
You can add if relevant to your profession. It should reinforce your credentials by providing further evidence of your skills and expertise.
Here are examples of additional biodata sections:
- Certifications
- Projects
- Training
- Awards
- Publications
Similar to resumes, the one section that's not essential (unless stated otherwise by the hiring manager) on a biodata is a references section. Another category to consider is a hobbies section, but you might be better off showcasing your interests through relevant activities or projects.
Biodata additional section examples:
Certifications
• PRINCE2 Certified Project Manager, 2021
• Certified Public Policy Analyst (CPPA), 2020
• Advanced Excel for Data Analysis, 2019
Awards
• Best Program Manager, Ministry of Rural Development, 2022
• Excellence in Public Service Award, State Government of Haryana, 2020
Projects
• Led a rural infrastructure development project benefiting over 50,000 residents in 10 districts (2021)
• Developed a policy framework for clean energy adoption in the agricultural sector, increasing clean energy use by 25% (2020)
8. Make a formal declaration (optional)
Some organizations may require a declaration stating that all the information you’ve provided in your biodata is factually accurate and correct to the best of your knowledge. If this is the case, the declaration goes at the end of the document, followed by your signature and date.
For the declaration, you can write, “I hereby declare that the information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
9. Stick to professional formatting
Since a biodata is a professional document, stick to a formal and clean format. Proper formatting presents you as a serious candidate.
Follow these standard formatting settings to keep your biodata looking professional:
- Font: use a simple, professional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
- Font size: 11–12 points for body text, 14–16 for section titles.
- Margins: 1-inch on all sides of the document.
- Line Spacing: 1.15 or 1.5.
- Sections: Clearly divide your biodata into sections with bold and underlined headings.
- Alignment: personal details at the top should be center-aligned, the rest should be left-aligned text.
- Page Length:1–2 pages.
What Does a Biodata for a Marriage Application Look Like?
Here’s an example of the standard biodata format for a marriage application:
Summary
Let’s recap on how to create a standard biodata for a job application:
- List essential personal background details.
- Write a succinct profile that provides an overview of your skills and qualifications or goals.
- Share academic qualifications using an education section.
- Include previous work experience, plus 1–3 bullet points to highlight relevant tasks and achievements from a previous role.
- Organize key skills into the skills section.
A professional photo, additional section, and formal declaration is optional. You don’t always have to include these, but some organizations may require them.
FAQs
What is a biodata form?
A biodata form is a document you fill out. It’s commonly used in South Asia for marriage proposals and some job applications. However, it focuses on providing a detailed overview of an individual’s personal background. It covers your age, gender, family details, physical features, religion, and education. You can use this to emphasize your selling points as a candidate by highlighting your areas of expertise and desirable qualities such as strong work ethic.
How to make biodata for marriage?
The essential sections for a biodata marriage application include personal details, family details, and contact details. Start by including essential personal background information. This includes your name, date of birth, religion, caste, weight, height, blood type, and complexion. You may also include your occupation and highest level of education. Next, provide information about your family background. Share your parents’ and siblings’ names, followed by their occupations. Afterward, include your contact details.
How many pages should a biodata be?
1–2 pages is enough for a standard biodata format. Keep it as short and as concise as possible. Cover the essential personal, family, and professional details.
What are the main things to include in a standard biodata for job applications?
Include your full name, contact information (phone number, email address, location by city and country), date of birth, and gender. Add your weight, height, nationality, languages, religion, and occupation. Afterward, provide a concise profile by summarizing your personal features, strengths, and career status. Next, showcase your academic background. List the qualifications you earned and the institutions where you studied. You can expand on this by specifying grades, coursework, and extracurricular activities. From there, create a professional experience section. State your most recent 1–3 job positions, followed by bullet points specifying any notable accomplishments. If you’d like, include additional sections such as awards and certifications. If not, proceed by listing key skills in the skills section to finish your biodata.
Is a biodata format better than a resume?
For marriage proposals, absolutely. For job applications, not necessarily, but it depends on the context. If you’re applying for a particular role in South Asia where the organization prefers a biodata since it aligns with their cultural job application norms, then a biodata would be more suitable than a resume. However, for most modern job openings, resumes are better because they showcase your career timeline, professional experience, and qualifications. The standard resume template is more relevant to modern employers than your personal information.
