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.

How to add presentations to your resume

Let’s start with a few quick steps for adding presentations to your resume:

1. Choose where you’re going to list presentations. This could be in your work experience, resume summary, or in their own section (more on this later).
2. List the name or topic of the presentation.
3. Specify where you presented or who you presented to.
4. If it was an external presentation, include the name and date of the event.
5. Add any relevant awards or publications.
6. Use a clear action verb like “presented” so your presentation skills stand out to anyone quickly scanning your resume.
7. Upload your resume to a free resume checker for personalized suggestions on making your presentations stand out to a hiring manager.

Now let’s take a look at some concrete examples of what presentations should look like on your resume.

What presentations to include 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.

Examples of how to put presentations on your resume

There are a couple of different ways of listing presentations on a resume:

• In your work experience bullet points
• In a ‘Presentations’ section of your resume
• (Optional) In your resume summary

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.

Including presentations in your work experience bullet points

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:

• Presented strategic changes in portfolio and marketing plan to C-suite executives, influencing key business decisions, as evidenced by a 15% increase in operational efficiency, and an expedited promotion within 12 months.
• Designed and delivered 10+ training workshops, presentations, and learning modules using a range of training aids and computer software.
• Presented keynote speech at a 200+ person conference on new and emerging technology.

Here is an example of a resume work experience section that highlights presentation skills:

Listing presentations in a separate resume section

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:

• “The Evolution of Supply Chain Management,” Supply Chain Conference, Feb 2022.
• "Extended Structure in Globular Clusters with Gaia,” Astronomical Society Meeting, June 2022.
• “Community Management in Social Media Marketing,” B2B Marketing Expo, March 2021.
• Awards: Content Marketing Institute Award for Outstanding Community Engagement.

Here is an example of a resume that includes specific presentations in a separate Presentations section:

Highlighting presentations in a resume summary

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.

Tailoring your presentation skills to different industries

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:

• Tech and engineering: Focus on technical expertise and innovation. For example: "Presented 'Emerging Trends in AI and Machine Learning' at the Tech Innovators Conference 2022, emphasizing practical applications in software development."
• Finance and business: highlight strategic insights and financial results. For example: "Delivered a presentation on 'Global Market Trends and Investment Strategies' to key stakeholders, resulting in a 15% increase in investor engagement."
• Education and training: Showcase your ability to educate and engage diverse audiences. For example:"Facilitated a series of educational workshops titled 'Innovative Teaching Methods in Digital Age' at the National Education Conference 2021."
• Marketing and communications: Focus on creativity, audience engagement, and brand development. For example: "Hosted a webinar on 'Effective Social Media Marketing Strategies' that attracted over 500 participants, enhancing brand visibility."
• Arts and culture: Emphasize creativity, industry knowledge, or critical analysis. For example: "Presented 'Modern Art Movements and Their Social Impact' at the City Art Museum Lecture Series, drawing a record number of attendees."

Keywords and phrases to use when discussing presentations

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:

• Public speaking: Highlights your comfort and skill in addressing audiences.
• Audience engagement: Demonstrates your ability to connect with listeners and maintain their interest.
• Presentation design: Showcases your proficiency in creating visually appealing and informative presentation materials.
• Data presentation: Indicates your ability to present complex data in an understandable manner.
• Interactive workshops: Suggest an active, hands-on approach to presenting and training.
• Webinar hosting: Reflects skills in managing and delivering online presentations.
• Technical demonstrations: For those in technical fields, it highlights your ability to explain complex technical concepts.
• Conference speaking: Indicates experience with large, formal presentation settings.
• Training and development: Shows your role in educating and developing others through presentations.

When presentations do (and don’t) belong on your resume

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.

You should list presentations on your resume if …

• The job you’re applying for involves giving a lot of presentations, training others, or public speaking.
• You want to showcase expertise in your field or specific subject matter.
• You presented at a well-known or prestigious event.
• You were a keynote speaker.
• You have significant publications or awards relating to a presentation.
• The content of your presentations is relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• You’re in an industry like academia where listing presentations is a common practice.

You shouldn’t list presentations on your resume if …

• You’re entry-level and don’t have significant professional presentations to list.
• Your presentations were in a completely different field.
• You attended a conference but didn’t speak at it.
• You have too many presentations to list — even if they’re all relevant, limit yourself to a few of the most recent or impressive examples.

FAQs

Should I include presentation skills in my resume skills section?

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.

How should I list presentations that may contain sensitive or confidential information?

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.

Should I list presentations on my LinkedIn profile as well as my resume?

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.

How can I effectively demonstrate the impact of my presentations?

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.