What Is Biodata?

You have probably heard of the terms resume and curriculum vitae. These are particular documents that one uses when applying for a job. But they are definitely not the same and each has their own limits and jurisdictions. But there is one more term that you may not be too familiar with – “Biodata”

Biodata though not a hugely common term, it is a term that is widely used within the business sector today. Usually Biodata is collected in a ‘fill in’ form. The information that is collected from a Biodata form is the first impression a recruiter or company sees of a potential employee, and the first chance the potential employee has to land the ever important interview.

The Biodata form is a collection of questions that retrieves information about that person’s life and work experiences. The form allows a person to express their opinions, beliefs and values. This gives recruiters and potential employers and idea of what type of personality one has based on prior behaviour. Biodata also gives an idea of what employees want to achieve in the future. What future job aspirations they have and where they see themselves.

For example Biodata will display previous work experience; any form of pattern that an employee has will show up in their history and typically in a work environment history repeats itself.

Biodata will show if someone has worked for a company for a long period of time and chooses to work their way up through the ranks compared to someone who only stays for short periods before moving on; this will be evident on their Biodata form. Recruiters will be able to hire and base many decisions on the information contained in the Biodata.

Why Recruiters Use Biodata

The reason that recruiters use this type of information to hire a potential employee is because it can save them money in the long run. This particular information regarding a potential employee’s goals or intentions of time at a company gathered from their Biodata is extremely important. If the Biodata indicates that an employee is going to move on after a certain amount of time, rather than stay and progress through the ranks of the company they may not hire that particular applicant. This is because the company knows that in a few months they will have to advertise for the position again, and retrain etc. and these are costs that no company wants to incur time and time again. So this can be avoided by reading and researching the Biodata correctly.

Another advantage for recruiters for reading or understanding Biodata correctly is that they will have a better idea of what personalities will be entering the workforce and therefore if they will fit in. When you spend upwards of 40 hours a week at work and with a diverse group of people it is important that there are no major personality clashes. Employees do not have to be best friends but they have to have an understanding of each other’s work methods to ensure the workplace runs smoothly. Having employees that get along is beneficial for any company for the same reason companies want employees that want to stay – it lessens the cost for them. A happy worker is a hard worker and will stay; they do not have the cost of having to hire and train all over again.

As with Resumes and Curriculum Vitae, Biodata has different types of formats. The way potential employees can use Biodata is to use particular Biodata Formats that play to their strengths. These Biodata Formats are structured or tailored to the particular job that one is applying for. If a job that one is applying for requires a strong educational background but the applicant does not have certification but has on the job training simply complete the Biodata form with dates and the companies where the training was undertaken, always emphasise strengths not weakness. It is always recommended to tell the truth and never to embellish one’s accomplishments and qualifications when applying for a position. Particular Biodata Formats allow you to highlight your strengths without bringing attention to any flaws or weaknesses that you may have in your employment history.