A biodata resume differs from a standard resume by including personal information about the applicant alongside their professional training and accomplishments. This specialized resume is typically used for both employment and marriage opportunities in some South Asian countries, including:
A biodata resume can be used for any of the following situations, depending on the context and setting:
A classic biodata format includes factual personal and professional information about an individual such as:
Biodata format documents should not be confused with biodata instruments, or biographical information blanks (BIBs). The former is a document typically prepared by the individual and, in some settings, can serve as a replacement for, or a supplement to, a resume or CV.
For an employer, the biodata format serves as a personal and professional profile summary. It’s a window into the life of the individual that gives the reader insight into who they are. A career biodata resume will typically include the following information:
From the biodata, the recipient will be looking to answer questions like:
Some companies have very specific guidelines for how the biodata resume is structured. In some cases, they will even provide their own pre-printed form for you to fill out during the application process. If you are not given a set format guideline, you can use any of our free biodata templates or use the instructions below to create a premium biodata resume yourself.
The biodata format is used for more than just a resume or CV replacement/enhancement. A marriage biodata, also known as a matrimonial biodata or a marriage resume, are still used in countries where arranged marriages are common, such as India and Pakistan.
A matrimonial biodata includes extensive personal information about the individual, and is designed to help the recipient determine whether or not the individual would be an appropriate marriage partner.
The marriage biodata should highlight the personal traits a potential marriage partner might find attractive. A typical marriage resume format may include the following:
Our free biodata templates are designed for employment opportunities, but they can be tailored to fit the requirements of those looking to create a good marriage biodata.
If you’d like to build a beautiful biodata resume in minutes, you can use our Resume Builder to get started. We’ll teach you how to add custom biodata resume sections below, but using our builder will also unlock these beautiful, but professional templates.
Our builder follows a combination resume format, you can add optional sections and customizable sections to create a detailed professional or marriage biodata resume. We’ll walk you through the process.
This section of a biodata resume follows the same structure and layout as an average resume and is an automatic process in our builder. Simply fill in the blanks for the following details and the builder will autoformat this information for you.
This information is unique to the biodata resume and is not an automatic feature in our builder. However, our builder does allow you to add custom sections once you complete your contact info, work experience, skills, education, and summary statement sections.
To create this section, visit your Hloom dashboard and click the resume you wish to upgrade to a biodata resume. You’ll see a left-hand menu next to your resume preview with the following options.
Resume sections
- Heading
- Professional summary
- Skills
- Work history
- Education
Click the “Add a section,” option. You’ll see a right-hand option to “Add Your Own.” Click that choice, write “Personal Information” in the open text box, and click next.
In the open text box, choose the bullet list text format option and include the following information in this order:
Please note: This personal information is rarely included on professional resumes or CVs. You should only include this information in biodata resumes within regions that request this resume format. Employment laws and regulations within certain Western countries make it illegal to request or provide this information and should only be supplied to HR upon hiring.
This section of a biodata resume follows the same structure and layout as an average resume and is an automatic process in our builder. If you’re writing a professional resume, focus on what skills and achievement you bring to the hiring manager. If you’re writing a marriage biodata, describe your expectations and what you can provide in the marriage.
This section of a biodata resume follows the same structure and layout as an average resume and is an automatic process in our builder. Choose six to eight skills to feature in this section, then move on to the next resume section.
This section of a biodata resume follows the same structure and layout as an average resume and is an automatic process in our builder. Unlike a Western resume, which limits your work history to the last 10 years, you’ll want to note your entire professional history in reverse-chronological order.
Start with your current or most recent position and work backwards. Highlight crucial promotions or career advancements in the last 10 years.
This information is not an automatic feature in our builder. However, our builder does allow you to add custom sections once you complete the standard sections.
To create this section, visit your Hloom dashboard and click the resume you wish to upgrade to a biodata resume. You’ll see a left-hand menu next to your resume preview with the following options:
Resume sections
- Heading
- Professional summary
- Skills
- Work history
- Education
Click the “Add a section,” option. You’ll see a right-hand option to “Add Your Own.” Click that choice, write “Interests and Hobbies” in the open text box, and click next.
Choose the bullet list text format and include a list of your various hobbies or personal interests, as well as your level of experience (beginner, intermediate or expert.)
This information is not an automatic feature in our builder, but is commonly requested and has a pre-built option in our additional sections options.
To add this section, visit your Hloom dashboard and click the resume you wish to upgrade to a biodata resume. You’ll see a left-hand menu next to your resume preview with the following options:
Resume sections
- Heading
- Professional summary
- Skills
- Work history
- Education
Click the “Add a section,” option. You’ll see a left-hand option to add “Affiliations.” Click that choice and click next. Our builder offers an autofill option with various well known organizations as well as an open text box that allows you to add unlisted organizations.
Now you are ready to try out our builder. Click here to start editing your biodata resume.
Biodata resumes are used in very few regions. You’ll likely find and need a biodata resume in the following countries:
A biodata isn’t better than a resume or a CV because they are used for different purposes. However, a biodata is your best choice if:
Resumes are typically used in the United States and are best for professional opportunities, summarize your career-related accomplishments, and are typically one- to two-pages long.
CVs are typically used in the United States for academic, research, medical, federal, or entertainment-related careers and are the international standard for career opportunities. These documents are highly detailed and can vary in length depending on each applicant’s experience, but can include multiple pages.
Your biodata resume is similar to a resume and is between one- to three-pages long, based on the length of your professional experience and the amount of personal information you include.
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