What Is a Biodata, and Why Do You Need One?

When applying for a job, the standard requested documents typically include a cover letter, a resume or CV, and a couple of recommendations. However, when applying for a job in certain South and Southeast Asian countries, one more document may be required: the biodata.

Biodata, or biographical data, is a document that contains personal information about you and your family. This information is typically not suitable to be included in your resume or cover letter, so companies request that it be attached as a separate document. The use cases of Biodata can also extend to marriage purposes.

So, in this article, we will provide you with all information about a biodata, what it is, what information goes into a biodata, as well as the difference between a biodata, a resume, and a CV. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

So, what exactly is biodata? As mentioned earlier, biodata is a compilation of your personal information. What information you include in a biodata will vary largely on the country, company, and individual asking for it. 

Generally speaking, your biodata should include personal details (basic personal information, alongside any other personal tidbit that you believe would help your employer make the most informed decision about you and your character), your work experience, education history, skills, and other qualifications. 

However, if you are writing a biodata for a South/Southeast Asian country, your biodata for a job or marriage would be much, much more extensive. The types of information that this biodata would include, amongst others, your date of birth, religion, nationality, gender, family/father’s name, marital status, current address, and, if you are writing a biodata for marriage, your personal and physical features and those which you are looking for in a partner. 

Although biodata for work and biodata for marriage are the most commonly requested types, several other types of biodata may be requested as part of a job or university application. Here are a few types of biodata that you may come across:

• Biodata for work: This form of biodata is standard for many South Asian countries but may also be requested in Western countries as well. The information included in this biodata format is more focused on information relevant to your success in a position rather than extremely personal information that should not factor into the decision-making process for a job.
• Biodata for marriage: This form of biodata is primarily seen in Hindu families, who consider marriage to be more than a union of two people, instead being the merging of two families. With this understanding, it is of little wonder that the information in this biodata is the most personal of all the biodata types. 
• Medical biodata: Medical biodata may be requested by companies or educational institutions during the application process to ascertain your medical status. 
• Personal biodata: A personal biodata includes personal information about yourself, your personality and interests, and other information that you feel would benefit you if the recipient knows. 
• Educational biodata: The educational biodata format contains information specifically geared toward the reader intimately understanding your educational background, including your grades, subjects taken, your major/department, and the extracurricular activities you participated in. 

Now, you may be wondering, what is the difference between a biodata, resume, and CV? Here is a breakdown of each: 

• Biodata: A biodata is a compilation of information that is too personal to be included in a resume or CV
• Resume: A resume is a brief overview of your educational background, work experience, skill set, and other qualifications to get a job. 
• CV: A CV is a more detailed version of a resume. A CV goes into more detail about your working experience and accomplishments and can be multiple pages long, depending on your experience level. 
  

Now that you understand the general concept of biodata, here’s the list of countries that often request a biodata: 

• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Some Southeast Asian countries

A biodata for a job is a declaration of your personal and professional information for employers to get a grasp of the person you are, both at home and in the workplace. 

Wondering what to include in a Biodata for a job? The information you include in the biodata for a job is extensive. Here is a list of the most important parts. 

A photograph of yourself, while not always mandatory for a job biodata, is a good way to introduce yourself without words! Your photograph should be professionally taken, as it is reflective of your professionalism and character. Ensure that your clothing is formal and your pose and posture are on point, and exude confidence! 

The personal information section of biodata for a job can vary depending on the job and company. However, the general scope of information includes your: 

• Contact information
• Gender
• Marital status
• Date of birth
• Height
• Parent’s names
• Nationality 
• Personal interests
• Race
• Religion
  

Evidently, this section in the biodata for a job is highly personal. That said, you should endeavor to include information (particularly in sections concerning your interests) to tailor your selection to the job you are applying to. In other words, include details that could further your chances of landing the job!

The objective/summary in the biodata for a job is similar to the introductory paragraph in a cover letter. The objective should clearly and concisely express your motivation for applying for the job, as well as your short/long-term goals. This is so the recruiter can get a preliminary feel for whether or not you are a good fit for the company. 

A good way to get an idea of what the company will be looking for in your summary is to carefully pick apart the job posting. Employers will leave breadcrumbs indicating what they are looking for in the ideal candidate. Find those and include them (if they pertain to you, of course)!

This section in the biodata for a job should include brief but detailed information of your education. You can choose to format this in chronological or reverse-chronological order. Include your school/university, the major and department you studied under, the time you were enrolled, and your GPA. 

Work experience is gold, whether it be in biodata for a job or in a resume/CV! This section is the most crucial in biodata for a job. 

In this section, carefully outline your work experience by creating a timeline. Follow the order that you used in the previous educational background for consistency!

Mention the company and job title you held, the location of the company, the duration of your employment, and the key responsibilities you had during your time.

The skill section of your biodata for a job builds on the previous work experience section and lists the technical (hard) and transferable (soft) skills you bring to the table. Balancing between the two is important, as the personal nature of biodata for a job indicates that your personal traits are just as important as your technical ability!

The Declaration at the end of the biodata for a job provides a level of authenticity to the whole document and affirms that the contents of your biodata are true. The declaration should also include your full name, signature, and date. 

Now that we have reviewed its parts, here is a full-format example of a complete biodata for a job.

In a departure from the biodata format for a job, biodata for marriage leans heavily on the personal side of an individual. But how do you go about writing a biodata for matrimonial purposes?

Biodata for marriage is a document that presents yourself and your family to the family of a potential spouse. This practice is most common among Hindi families, where familial background compatibility is just as important as the compatibility between spouses. 

Here is the information that should be included in the biodata for marriage.

Whereas a photograph is not an essential part of biodata for a job, it is absolutely required for biodata for marriage. 

Make sure that the photo you choose has been professionally taken and is relatively recent. Your photo should not be a headshot; rather, go for something more of a half-body shot that shows your (well-dressed) body and smiling face! 

In addition to the personal information that is included in biodata for a job, a biodata for marriage includes some personal information about your immediate family. For a biodata for marriage, your immediate family only includes your parents and siblings. Include their full names AND occupations and their area of residence.  

Similar to a biodata for a job, include your educational background in your biodata for marriage!

At this point, the content of biodata for marriage seems contractual and business-like. However, the section on hobbies and personal interest changes things. In this section of your biodata for marriage, divulge some of your genuine hobbies and other things that you would like your spouse to know about you before meeting you. In an idealistic world, you will both have mutual interests and be a match!

In the final section of the biodata for marriage, include some expectations of your future spouse and the type of life that you would like to live after getting married. Clearly presented expectations in biodata for marriage go a long way in filtering out unsuitable candidates and can greatly help in matching you with someone that has similar life goals and expectations!

Now that you understand what goes into a biodata for marriage let us take a closer look at a complete example of a biodata for marriage.

Conclusion

To sum up, biodata is a key part of the job, university, and even marriage processes in countries and cultures that recognize their significance of them. A well-crafted biodata for a job can easily propel your application ahead of your competition as the expression of your personality and professionalism shines through. Similarly, a clear and concise biodata for marriage can filter out the weeds and make finding the perfect partner that much easier!

Here are some key takeaways to consider when writing your biodata:

• Never falsify information. The fastest way to be rejected by a company or a person is to lie about your abilities and personality. The truth will be out!
• Always clearly express your intentions and ideas. Hiring managers do not have the time to figure out elaborate and confusing sentences. Similarly, over-complicated biodatas for marriage can detract from the important parts of your personality and expectations that you want to make clear!
• Stick to the correct biodata format for the type of biodata you are writing! Make sure to include all the necessary information and double-check your work when done!

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— Originally written by Alexander Coye —