A Guide on How To Format Biodata on a Resume (With Example)

Biographical data is essential information that helps you gain a deeper understanding of an individual or candidate. Whether it be about job history or academic achievements, knowing how to put this information on a resume can make it more comprehensive and engaging for the recipient. Learning how to format these details properly on a resume can make it easier for you to include the employer's requested biodata on your own document. In this article we discuss what biodata is, explore how to format biodata in seven steps and review a biodata format template and example for a resume.

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What is biodata?

Biodata, also called biographical data, is a collection of factual information about a specific person. This information may accurately reflect the individual in question and may include a wide range of details about them, from physical attributes to intellectual competencies. Organisations, research institutions and other entities may collect this data and use it as a criterion for helping them to assess or evaluate specific qualities about a candidate. The specific information that you gather is most useful when it fits the context of the data collection request.

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There are five types of biodata:

Personal biodata

Personal biodata refers to the personal details that you gather from an individual. This information is useful for profiling a candidate and is common in certain types of applications. Some organisations request their candidates to provide this kind of information and they may even gather biodata about your health as well. Aside from information about yourself, this type of biodata might also request details about your family. However, the solicited personal biodata is likely to differ depending on the institution or organisation making the request.

Types of personal biodata may include your:

• Name

• Age

• Date of birth

• Place of birth

• Gender

• Weight

• Height

• Ethnicity

• Race

• Blood type

Related: How to Write a Resume Introduction (Guide and Examples)

Medical biodata

Medical biodata refers to information about an individual's medical history. Sometimes educational institutions and organisations may request this type of biodata as part of their criteria for recruitment or admission. An employer might ask for medical information from employees to assess if they can perform the job successfully and to create a proper working environment that meets their health needs. Athletes frequently undergo examinations where sports doctors collect their medical biodata to determine if they're in peak condition to perform.

Types of medical biodata may include your:

• Allergies

• Recent sicknesses

• Medications

• Family medical history

• Food intolerances

• Hospital records

Job biodata

Career, employment or job biodata is a collection of information that refers to an individual's professional working history, skills and expertise. This information may highlight a person's experiences and competencies related to a specific position. Organisations and businesses frequently request this information from their candidates and it may even serve as a replacement for a resume or curriculum vitae. Job biodata typically includes personal biodata details as well, since both aspects of information help companies assess the validity of their candidates.

Types of job biodata may include your:

• Academic background

• Job history

• Qualifications

• Certifications

• Licences

• Awards and accomplishments

• Skill sets

• Interests and hobbies

Related: 10 Best Skills To Include on a Resume

Academic biodata

Academic or educational biodata is information about an individual's educational background. This data helps to profile a person's academic qualifications and ensure that the information provided is true and verifiable. This type of information can either be student or teacher-based. Student biodata reflects their education level and how much they completed. Some schools may request this information on a student's application for enrollment.

Student biodata may include your:

• Grades

• Highest level of completed education

• Academic achievements

• Vocational and educational certifications

Related: Student Resume Examples (What to Include and Tips)

Teacher biodata reflects an individual's educational qualifications and experience as a teacher or in a similar career. Schools frequently request this information from job applicants to help them determine if a professional is qualified to teach their students.

Teacher biodata may include your:

• Academic qualifications

• Working history

• Certifications and licenses

• Awards

Related: How to Create a Successful First-Year Teacher Resume

Matrimonial biodata

Matrimonial or marriage biodata is a collection of information that helps a person to determine if a candidate is a proper partner for marriage. Marriage data is necessary for certain types of applications and it's common for arranged marriages. This type of information details certain qualities about a person and highlights aspects about themselves that would seem most attractive or appealing.

Matrimonial biodata may include your:

• Family details

• Educational background

• Occupation

• Partner expectations

• Lifestyle

• Physical appearance

• Religion

How to format biodata on your resume in 7 steps

Follow these seven steps to help you properly format biodata on a resume:

1. Personal information

Use this section to include your personal details. Employers sometimes ask that you provide in-depth personal information because it helps them to collect pertinent demographic statistical data for research purposes or to cater job opportunities to certain groups of people. You might include information like your name, gender, date of birth, ethnicity, phone number, email address, location and other similar details.

Related: How to Format Your Resume (With Examples)

2. Objective

Use this section to provide a brief description of who are you in a few sentences. You might list your most notable skills and how they can help you accomplish your future goals with the employer. The objective may be the first section that the recipient reads, so it may serve as a proper introduction to the rest of the biodata on your resume. Also, make certain you use a proper tone for this section, as it sets up the expectation for how the rest of the resume may be. Write in a professional tone throughout the entire document.

Related: 27 Resume Objective Examples for Different Job Titles

3. Educational history

The section is where you include your educational background biodata. Include your completed academic qualifications, the name of the university, the degree, the date of completion and any special achievements. If you are still a student, you consider mentioning that as well. While in school, you may have earned awards that demonstrate your knowledge and learning prowess. If you have any notable accomplishments like this, then you can include them in this section.

Related: How To Build Education Section In Your Resume

4. Work experience

Use this section to include any applicable work history or experiences. Include your job title, company name, company location, and your start and end date. Make certain to mention your most notable job duties and responsibilities. These details can help accentuate your competencies. Be mindful to include biodata information that the employer requests or might be most interested in viewing.

Related: How To Write Work Experience in a Resume (With Tips and Examples)

5. Certifications

If you have any applicable certifications, then they go into this section. If you don't, then you can just state none is applicable. Make certain to include the name of the certification, the institution you received it from and the date of completion.

Related: Online Certificate Courses for Different Industries

6. Skills

Include all of your applicable skills in this section. Review the job description and try to include keyword skills and terms in your resume. You can diversify your resume by including hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are capabilities you learn through training. Soft skills are personality traits you possess.

Related: 10 Best Skills To Include on a Resume

7. Applicable hobbies and interests

Depending on the employer, they may request biodata information about your hobbies and interest. Try to include interests that are relevant to the job role you are applying to. For example, if you're applying to be a floral designer, it's beneficial to mention that you have flower-related hobbies.

Related: How To List Interests and Hobbies on Your Resume

Biodata format on a resume template

The following is a template of a biodata format on a resume using the steps from above:

[Full name]
[Professional title]|
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[Gender]
[Date of birth]
[Ethnicity]
[Known languages]
[Physical address]

Objective

[Brief professional summary, no longer than two to four sentences]

Education

[Degree name]
[School name]
[School location]
[Start to date of completion or projected completion date]

Work experience

[Job title]
[Company name]
[Company location]
[Start date to end date]

• [Job duty 1]

• [Job duty 2]

• [Job duty 3]

• [Job duty 4]

• [Job duty 5]

• [Job duty 6]

Certifications

[Certification name]
[Institution name]
[Completion date]

Relevant skills

• [Skill 1]

• [Skill 2]

• [Skill 3]

• [Skill 4]

• [Skill 5]

• [Skill 6]

Hobbies and interests

• [Hobby and interest 1]

• [Hobby and interest 2]

• [Hobby and interest 3]

• [Hobby and interest 4]

• [Hobby and interest 5]

Biodata format on a resume example

The following is an example of a biodata format on a resume:

João De Costa
Florist
Phone number: +65 8888 8888
Email address: joão.de.costa@email.com
Gender: Male
DOB: 30 July 1992
Ethnicity: Eurasian Singaporean
Languages: English, Kristang, Portuguese, Malay
Address: 65 Woodlands Loop 03-11 Woodlands East Industrial Estate, 738322, Singapore

Objective

Highly creative florist with four years of experience managing a floral shop. Expert knowledge of floral care and arrangement methodologies to ensure long-lasting displays. Looking to contribute to the brand of your company with a contemporary sensibility and customer-focused mindset.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Botany
Bunga Cantik University
Singapore
2010-2014

Work experience

Head Florist
Indah Floral Shop
Singapore
2016-2020

• Advising customers on what flowers to purchase

• Arranging flowers into beautiful displays and bouquets

• Managing floral shop and employees

• Caring for flowers with proper botany techniques

• Coordinating with flower suppliers

Certifications

Floral Care and Design Fundamentals Certification
Bunga Mawar Floral School
December 2015

Relevant skills

• Floral design

• Flower care and health

• Management

• Multitasking

• Communication

• Botany

Hobbies and interests

• Gardening

• Volunteering at community gardens

• Flower arranging

• Drying flowers

• Creating floral-scented oils

Related: How to Create a Successful Florist Resume (With Skills)

The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.