Gaining in popularity among executives, the executive bio is a one-page overview of a high-level manager's background. The document is written in the third person and consists of a series of paragraphs outlining work experience and successes, the latter in only general terms.

Whereas a resume's goal is to generate interest for the purpose of producing interviews, the executive bio is designed to give readers a general understanding of an executive's experience, capability and successes. It doesn't try to achieve dramatic effect through the use of accomplishments, and it skips powerful past-tense verbs preceded by bullets. It also omits contact information as well as bold, italicized, and underlined type, which are used to enhance a resume's eye appeal or to emphasize certain points.

Executive bios are ineffective for generating interviews with search firms and prospective employers. They work best as networking tools; to help consultants provide summaries of their credentials when trying to gain new accounts; or provide background about an executive to go with a press release, in a corporate brochure or Web site, or for a speaking engagement.