1.
Page 1 of 2
+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com
6 Brain-based Tips for the Best
Profile You'll Ever Write 24 November 2016
We don't need yet more advice on what to put in our profiles. What we need is a brain-based
approach to put all that other advice to work. Take a brain-based approach for your best profile, ever.
There's enough out there on the "perfect" profile to make
your head spin.
So no sense me adding to it. But perhaps I can complement
it. Here are 6 neuroscience-backed considerations for your
next perfect profile.
Set the Frame.
 Our brain loves to generalise and categorise. A place
for everything; and everything in its place. To have
our profile hit home and entice further reading and
consideration, we need to set the right frame from the
outset.
 For your next profile: right beneath your name
(which I hope is already the first and biggest thing
on your profile), add a descriptor ("Management
Consultant", "Research Analyst", "Programme
Manger" etc.) that you can legitimately claim and
that most closely matches the role you're going for.
And use the descriptor of their language, not yours.
Future Focus.
 Our brain loves to imagine the future and get
solutions-focused. When it does that, it creates new
connections and pathways; dreams-up new insights;
and releases positive neurotransmitters like dopamine
and adrenaline. So we feel good and want to take
action.
 For your next profile: move away from dull,
backward-looking renditions of past roles and
responsibilities. And instead, dig-out evidence that
links what you have done with what you will do for
your next employer. Give them a guarantee of future
performance that will interest and excite them. Your
"Personal Promise".
Home Runs Only, Please.
 So, this sounds obvious: because you're not going to
litter your profile with issues and setbacks. But we
can easily go the other way: and list every single
small win, ever. And whilst the temptation might be
to think: some achievements is good; more is better.
Know this: the brain doesn't sum what it knows
about you; it averages it.

2.
Page 2 of 2
+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com
 For your next profile: remind yourself that less is
more. Say 1 or 2 superb things about yourself and
what you've achieved. And it'll have far more brain-
based impact than 1 or 2 superb achievements,
diluted by 3 or 4 mediocre achievements.
Showcase Your
Competencies.
 Our brain loves novelty and interest. It loves to have
its interest piqued; and made to make new
connections; all while being kept safe enough to
explore. In the context of a profile, we can do that by
showcasing our key differentiators: our competencies.
 For your next profile: really distinguish yourself from
the rest of the crowd by NOT burying your
differentiating experience and expertise within a
listed career history. Instead, showcase your
competencies (how you bring to bear your skills,
knowledge and abilities to deliver a result) as stand-
alone headings, followed by 2 or 3 stellar examples
that evidence that competency.
Succinct. Specific.
Scannable.
 Our thinking brain is limited in its capacity and
extremely energy intensive. And so it avoids the
threat of too much new thinking. For your profile, it
means your reader's brain doesn't want to spend time
and energy on this.
 For your next profile: make it super brain-friendly by
adopting 3 simple rules: succinct; specific; scannable.
Get to the essence of your offer and build your profile
around that small but potent handful of
differentiators. And don't forget to format accordingly
to make them stand out.
30 Seconds to Impress.
 Our brain makes a decision before "we" do. In the
blink of an eye, we've decided. At which point, we
invest the time to justify our already-made decisions.
 For your next profile: run it through your own 30-
second test. If you've not taken a look at your profile
for a while: perfect. If you're working on it right now,
finish it and put it to one side before coming back to
it a day later. Grab a pen and paper for notes: and
then open your profile. What do you notice? What
impression do you get? What screams out? Who is
the owner of this profile? And now make some notes
to inform your next edit.
Dan Beverly is a leadership and performance coach helping ambitious, high-
achieving professional women land their perfect career.
His mission is to inspire possibility in others for a career that leaves us feeling
fulfilled in our work, confident in ourselves and balanced in our life.
Go online to book your “Session Zero” with Dan – and start capitalising on
your pivotal career moments today.
http://danbeverly.com/session-zero