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What do I put for my BIO (I don't have 1!)

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Jun 11, 2009 5:18 am

I can only imagine the types of responses that I will get, but I am going to make a presentation to large group of people (100+).  They’ve asked me to include a bio of myself so they can introduce me. 

  But I have a problem... I really don't have one.  I've practically just graduated college not too long ago, I'm 25 years old (I look like I'm in my early-mid 30's), & really have no job history that would be worth mentioning beyond all my license acquisitions.   I will tell you that all the speakers who have presented to them in the past have pretty impressive backgrounds and YEARS in their respective fields (or experience of the topics presented).  It's a long story how I arranged to become a presenter on an investment topic, but I need to have a credibility statement.  NOT just say that I graduated w/ a degree in business in 2007.   Though humorous responses are always entertaining I'd appreciate any HELPFUL suggestions.  I'd like to have the audience take me seriously before I set my foot at the podium.   Thanks for your time and attention.
Jun 11, 2009 5:23 am

Young - What kind of life experiences do you have?  Do you have a story that tells anything about you?

Do you just have an undergraduate degree?  Have you done anything special since you've been off of the apron strings?    Answer those questions, and we'll be able to help you out more.
Jun 11, 2009 12:40 pm

Were you ever a cub scout? Ever win a prize in a science fair? 

Jun 11, 2009 6:42 pm

Are you a member of any professional organizations? Definitely mention you graduated in business… i would leave out the year. Have you ever been a speaker before? If so, “Key Note Speaker at the Investments Made Easy Seminar,” or something like that will help give you credibility as a speaker. 

Jun 11, 2009 7:16 pm
h2ozep:

Have you ever been a speaker before? If so, “Key Note Speaker at the Investments Made Easy Seminar,” or something like that will help give you credibility as a speaker. 

  Good call.  Even if you've done a presentation for 5 staff assistants at a major company or a well-respected company in your community I would put "Keynote speaker at a "Retirement Planning Basics" seminar at Verizon."  I was at Andrews last year doing a presentatation for 10 airmen and senior airmen (Avg. salary about $25-$30,000) and don't think I don't have "U.S. Air Force - Investing for your Future seminar at Andrews Air Force Base" on my list of credentials and accomplishments.
Jun 11, 2009 10:51 pm

[quote=h2ozep]Are you a member of any professional organizations? Definitely mention you graduated in business… i would leave out the year. Have you ever been a speaker before? If so, “Key Note Speaker at the Investments Made Easy Seminar,” or something like that will help give you credibility as a speaker. 
[/quote]

If you do this you will be sure to look illiterate and can expect to generate 0 (zero) sales and 0 (zero) credibility. 





“Keynote” is one word, not two.

Jun 11, 2009 10:57 pm

“F*ck YOU! That’s who I am!”

Jun 12, 2009 2:48 am
someonewouldntexpect:

“F*ck YOU! That’s who I am!”

THANKS SOMEONE!! I SPIT f***IN SWEET TEA ALL OVER MY COMPUTER!!!
Jun 12, 2009 4:14 am

Sample Bio (with positive spin on your youth and recent training):



Although it has been over 20 years since Young_Gun was breast fed, he has recently suckled strongly at the bosom of some of the best and most thorough training in the discipline of investment management and financial consulting. No shrinking violet he, Young_Gun set the pace early and was named Line Leader in 6 out of 8 training groups as he directed the path of up to 11 other trainees as they moved quickly, but quietly, from their Big Boy desks and chairs to Snack Center. “I remember Young_Gun,” said Mrs. Wizknees, Assistant Director of Snack Center. “He was that guy who kept dropping his whole tray into the garbage can, instead of just the trash.” With early character observations like that one, Young_Gun’s star has certainly blazed a bright trail across the sky of Investment Convention, showing clear mission focus and an ability to flout the random exercise of repressive authority, and thus unburden his mind to home in on the new new thing.



Counting today, Young_Gun has almost 36 hours of intense, “boots on the ground,” experience identifying and moving toward new account forms, client contact call sheets, reverse directory utilization, and cutting edge investment research roundtables found via the World Wide Interweb. Clearly on the path to creating important files with color coded tabs, Young_Gun stands head and shoulders above anyone in a Miata.



Young_Gun and his youthfully enthusiastic Dream Team of Nick Murray, Bob Dunwoody and recent addition David Souter, have all been listed together in this very paragraph, and clearly not all of them have been bound by the “group think” of distinctly defined sexuality.



Saddle up, and get ready for an exciting Pony Ride out of the Corral of Confusion into the verdant Fields of Fortune with Young_Gun as your Stalwart Trail Guide, because he’s nothing like that strange kid who helps load the ponies in and out of the rusted, squeaking trailer and then sits on the fender of the trailer with a disturbing half smile while he watches the kids and licks his lips at the Moms and flicks a lighter, flicks a lighter, flicks a lighter…   









Jun 12, 2009 6:35 am

Wow, just what I expected practically…

  I thank all those of you who gave the serious suggestions.  They've all been helpful.  I am part of several professional organizations and have a degree in both accounting and finance.  In fact, I was contemplating using a high profile company where I participated in a presentation to a few employees.  But now, I guess it wouldn't be lying... since it DID happen, just a stretch of the truth I guess.  The only part I was worried about was the "years" in the business part.  Hopefully my other factoids will outshine this shortcoming.   Now... the only thing I need is a good presentation...lol.    Seriously, anyone have good openers to presentations or speeches that have worked well for you????  A story or joke that is effective always helps.    Thanks.
Jun 12, 2009 12:34 pm

I find opening with a racist joke usually puts the audience at ease.

Jun 12, 2009 1:07 pm

LOL!!!

Jun 12, 2009 1:36 pm

Try this:

What’s the first thing a <span style=“text-decoration: underline; color: rgb204, 0, 0; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,‘lucida grande’,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;” =“IL__STYLE”>battered woman does when she gets out of the shelter?



The dishes, if she’s smart…

Jun 15, 2009 3:56 am

Remember that you deserve to be there. You’ve worked hard, completed extensive training and you are an honest, excellent, young advisor. You are working for a good firm with with established standards, a good process and a solid approach. Present yourself as such and you have nothing to hide. Be the man you truly are and you’ll impress everyone.

Practice the presentation until you need absolutely no notes, and then present to a group of people (friends and family) and have them act as the most difficult people you’ve ever seen. Have them ask the worst questions possible (e.g “don’t the events of the last year prove that Wall Street is corrupt and long term investing is a lie?”) Be prepared for every type of question and you’ll show NO FEAR and you’ll be fine.

“Young_Gun is a Financial Advisor in the Bumblefyck Branch of XYZ, a Fint, MI investment bank and full service brokerage firm. Part of a increasing number of financial professionals, Young’s strategy is influenced by the writings of Prof. William Sharpe of Stanford, Modern Portfolio Theory and a lifecycle approach to financial planning. As an advisor, his work involves drafting comprehensive financial
plans, constructing investment portfolios for XYZ’s individual investor
clients and advising small/medium business retirement plans. He is a member of the Bumblefyck Chamber of Commerce and holds an AA from Bumblefyck Community College.”

Jun 15, 2009 4:03 am

[quote=2wheeledbeemer]
Young_Gun and his youthfully enthusiastic Dream Team of Nick Murray, Bob Dunwoody and recent addition David Souter, have all been listed together in this very paragraph, and clearly not all of them have been bound by the “group think” of distinctly defined sexuality.



[/quote]

Wow… I laughed my goddamn ass off. Thanks for the best laugh of the week.

Jun 15, 2009 5:59 am

People want to see success, there are plenty of industry vets who have wallowed in mediocrity but have years of experience. So you should focus on what you do have, not what you don’t. Are you an accomplished athlete? Student leader or activist? Charities or non-profits that you volunteer/ Any outside activities while you were in university? Really, there must be things that you can draw upon from your past which will help to define you. Collect as many as you can, then do a heck of a job in packaging them up in your Bio…