A quick but detailed guide on how and when to include presentations on a resume, including resume templates and examples.
2 years ago • 8 min read
Public speaking isn’t for everyone — which is why, if you have experience presenting in front of a crowd, you should definitely include it in your resume.
You can list presentations in your work experience section, resume summary, or in a separate ‘Presentations’ section, depending on how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for.
In this article, we’ll discuss what presentation skills to include on your resume, how and where to list presentations, and how to tailor your presentation skills to your desired industry.
Let’s start with a few quick steps for adding presentations to your resume:
Now let’s take a look at some concrete examples of what presentations should look like on your resume.
The types of presentations you can include on your resume include traditional styles like PowerPoint presentations, client briefings, and conference speaking, as well as digital and remote presentations, such as Zoom conferencing and Google Slide presentations. Both conventional and digital methods demonstrate your ability to convey information through the desired format and showcase both soft and hard skills.
The recent transition towards more remote work has brought digital presentation styles like webinars, online talks, virtual events, and social media live sessions to the forefront. These modern formats highlight both adaptability and remote/technical experience.
Whatever presentations you choose to include, ensure the skills you’re showcasing are targeted and relevant to your application.
There are a couple of different ways of listing presentations on a resume:
Not sure which choice is best for you? Here’s a brief overview of the pros and cons of each option, including examples for you to follow.
Include presentations in your work experience bullet points if you regularly presented to colleagues, clients, or external stakeholders as part of your job.
Include at least one bullet point detailing what you presented, who you presented it to, and, crucially, any quantifiable metrics. Emphasize the size of the audience, feedback scores, number of presentations, or tangible impact on the business to clearly demonstrate the scope and effectiveness of your presentations. Start your statements with powerful action verbs to make your bullet points memorable and impactful.
Examples:
Here is an example of a resume work experience section that highlights presentation skills:
You can create a separate resume presentations section if official presentations are a major part of the job you’re applying for and you have significant presentation experience.
Create a ‘Presentations’ subheading underneath your work experience and education. For each listed presentation, include not only the name, conference, and date, but also any measurable outcomes, such as audience size or notable feedback received, as shown in the resume screenshot below. If you have any related awards or publications, you can also list those.
Examples:
Here is an example of a resume that includes specific presentations in a separate Presentations section:
Mention your experience with presenting in your resume summary if you’re applying for a role that involves regular public speaking and want to draw attention to a key accomplishment involving presentations.
At the top of your resume (beneath your contact information but above your work experience), include 3-5 lines briefly outlining your key presentation skills and experience.
Example:
Learning and Development Manager with more than 10 years of experience in creating and leading work-related training and development programs to help employees enhance their skills or the company's performance.
Key accomplishment: Delivered lectures to over 70 employees on best practices, how to engage with the media in a crisis, and how to promote brands effectively to communications officers.
Here is an example of a resume summary that highlights presentation skills:
If you're not sure whether your presentation skills and experience should be included in your work experience section, summary, or a separate presentations section, upload your resume to the tool below. It'll evaluate your resume and give you feedback on how to improve each section.
When listing presentations on your resume, it's crucial to tailor them to the specific position or industry you're applying for. List the name, date, and location of the presentation, followed by a tailored explanation of the presentation's focus, so a recuiter can easily see why it’s relevant to your application. For example:
Incorporating specific keywords and phrases can significantly boost your resume’s impact and help you make it past ATS.
Here’s a list of keywords and phrases to use when discussing your presentation experience:
Now that you know how and where to include presentation skills on your resume, only one question remains — should you?
The short answer is: It depends. Presentations are purely optional — no recruiter is going to pass you over if you don’t include them. Which means that, like anything else on your resume, you should include them if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for and leave them off if not.
Not sure which category you belong to? Here are some considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to list presentations on your resume.
Yes, including resume presentation skills in your skills section is highly beneficial, especially if the job role you're applying for involves communication or public speaking. This is particularly important if you're in fields such as sales, marketing, education, or leadership roles where presenting is a key part of the job.
When listing presentations that involve sensitive information, focus on the skills and context rather than specific details. Use phrases like "Presented on proprietary industry techniques to a select group of stakeholders" or "Led a confidential briefing on business strategy improvements." This approach showcases your experience while respecting confidentiality agreements and maintaining professionalism.
Absolutely! Listing presentations on LinkedIn showcases your communication and expertise to a broader network, including recruiters and industry peers. On LinkedIn, you can add more details or even include links to presentation materials or videos. However, make sure you maintain consistency in how you present this information on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
To effectively demonstrate the impact of your presentations, include quantifiable metrics. For instance, "Presented on market trends to an audience of 200+, leading to a 20% increase in post-event engagement". This approach highlights your presentation skills and provides concrete evidence of your impact and effectiveness.
