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How to Include Public Speaking Skills on Your Resume (+ Examples)

While it might send you into a spin and get your knees knocking at the very thought of having to stand up in front of people and give a presentation, the skill of public speaking is considered a valuable asset within many professions. Public speaking on your resume is a great quality to add to your repertoire. Many employers place a premium value on public speaking skills. 

Candidates who possess polished and articulate public speaking skills are often placed in prominent roles within a company, with many finding themselves on a fast-track to securing leadership positions. This is because a leader often needs to speak and present to a roomful of people. You can’t ask someone who’s shy and retiring to do this. Or someone with a distinct lack of confidence. So you turn to the employees who have shown promise and know how to hold a crowd.

But what if you are angling for another role? How do you include public speaking skills on a resume?

No need to fret. You have come to the right place. We have the know-how you need to make employers aware of your valuable communication style by showing how to present public speaking on your resume.

What is public speaking?

First up, let’s quantify what public speaking actually is. It is the ability to stand up in front of an audience and deliver an oral speech or presentation. It works whether that is a live audience or a remote one, as you are still presenting to a large number of people in public.

It can be used to sell a product or a service to a client, galvanize your team, or pitch for a new contract. Presentations can incorporate many different topics and have many different goals – to entertain, educate, inform, or even influence listeners.

The presentation needs to be engaging, powerful, and memorable. You have got to hold the audience in the palm of your hand so as not to lose their interest. These are great assets to have throughout your career.

These types of presentations can be the difference between failure and success. So, presenting information effectively and clearly is key when connecting with your audience and getting your message out there.

Why do public speaking skills matter?

It’s important to understand why public speaking skills are in such high demand. For someone comfortable with communicating ideas effortlessly, public speaking skills might seem like something that everyone can do, at the drop of a hat. After all, we are communicating with other people every single day of the year.

However, lots of people are not that comfortable when speaking in a public setting. Many shrink from being called upon in class, business, or conference meetings, or other settings where there is a large group. Others are wary of being asked to make presentations, train up other employees, or take on a role that puts them under the spotlight.

Call it stage fright, if you will. The average professional just isn’t all that excited about being the center of attention in any training session or discussion. And employers understand that fact. Most organizations have dealt with employees who struggle to communicate ideas when they’re put in those types of settings. As a result, those employers recognize just how rare and important public speaking skills truly are--and really value those job candidates who possess them.

Read our experts' opinion on the best skills to put on your resume in 2023 .

Public speaking and communication skills list

Unlike some types of skills, public speaking is not a single skill that you can simply list on a resume. Instead, public speaking skills encompass a variety of skills that combine to make you come across as an effective public communicator on your resume . Moreover, you are unlikely to find too many job postings that specifically ask for public speaking skills.

Instead, many of these postings will mention relevant key skills that might make you an effective public speaker. By learning to recognize these communication capabilities, you can more effectively convey your public speaking ability to a potential employer.

They include:

The ability to read your audience

One of the most important public speaking skills is the ability to accurately read your audience, or “read the room” as this modern phrase sums it up, by picking up on subtle, nonverbal cues of your attendees. You should be able to determine what they need to hear, adjusting your communication during the speech to accommodate their reaction. Do they seem engaged? Are they visibly bored? Restless? Confused?

A speaker who can read the room well knows how to stay on the right track to get across their message.

An articulate presentation of ideas

Are you an articulate speaker? In this scenario, articulate doesn’t just mean the ability to speak clearly. It means being able to convey complex ideas in an easily understood manner. If your skills include being articulate, be sure to mention those attributes of public speaking in your resume.

An engaging presence and style

Do you command presence when you are on a stage, enter a room, or during a meeting? Have you got that certain je ne sais quoi or X factor? The best public speakers, trainers, and educators have an engaging way about them. They also have a style that captures and sustains the attention of any audience. Employers can always utilize employees with these types of public speaking skills.

The ability to write a speech or presentation

Whether you’re a solid writer or someone who composes presentations on the fly, based on something you scribbled on the back of an envelope 10 minutes ago, composition skills are critical. If your public speaking skills include the ability to compose presentations, be sure to convey that information on your resume. And don’t forget to include key composition skills like research ability, organization of ideas, and storytelling.

Knowledge of presentation technology

These days, no set of public speaking skills is complete without some sort of familiarity with technology. For example, skills in this area include the ability to create presentation slides and manage the functional operation of a presentation.

But it can strike horror into the heart of any audience member when a speaker stands up, declaring, “I’ve just got 100 slides to get through this morning.” While PowerPoint presentations are commonly used for seminars, meetings, and other public speaking engagements, keep these to a minimum, reduce the number of words, and pack them full of images.

Your slides should not make that much sense without you telling the story alongside. You want members of the audience to be focused on you speaking--not on the slides.

Key Takeaway

KEY TAKEAWAY

Don't just say that you have public speaking skills. Instead, describe those specific skills that demonstrate your oratory abilities.

Job descriptions might mention leading meetings, presenting information, or speaking at conferences. This can encompass many job titles, such as teachers and educators, managers, and sales and marketing positions.

Examples of public speaking skills on a resume

Now that you have a clearer idea of what public speaking skills are, let’s put it into practice by showing off some examples of how to include public speaking on your resume.

You can tailor the examples below to suit your own situations, positions, and responsibilities.

Showcases well-honed public speaking skills, developed over the course of a 10-year career as a sales trainer, marketing consultant, and seminar speaker.

Presented technical studies and project proposals on a regular rolling programme across the year at ABC Corp.

Created and led the mentor advisory board at XYZ Inc, training more than 100 corporate mentors.

Conducted client / employee workshops for ABC Corp on a bi-annual basis.

Skilled in presentation composition, communications technology including PowerPoint, and engaging, articulate audience presentations.

Final thoughts

Public speaking skills can be a quality that sets you apart from job search competitors. When you recognize that fact, and properly include them in your resume, those skills can be the key to landing you an interview and the great job that you deserve.

Best of luck with your ongoing job search.

Still not quite sure how to add public speaking onto your resume? Well, it’s your lucky day. Delve into a freebie by uploading your resume to ZipJob’s free resume review and see where it takes you.

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Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer, Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer

Elizabeth Openshaw is an Elite CV Consultant with over 12 years of experience based in Brighton, UK, with an English degree and an addiction to Wordle! She is a former Journalist of 17 years with the claim to fame that she interviewed three times Grand Slam winner and former World No.1 tennis player, Andy Murray, when he was just 14 years old. You can connect with her at Elizabeth Openshaw | LinkedIn .

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Public Speaking Skills and How to Describe them on Your Resume?

Here are the top ways to show your Public Speaking skills on your resume. Find out relevant Public Speaking keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

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In This Guide:

What is public speaking, why is public speaking important on your resume, what skills, activities, and accomplishments help you highlight your public speaking, public speaking skills: key takeaways for your resume.

Public speaking is the ability to deliver an oral presentation or speech to a live audience. Public speaking is an important skill for many professions. People who develop effective presentation skills can become the presenter everyone listens to.

Public speaking is a valuable ability whether you are trying to sell a client or energize a team, the power of your presentation skills makes the difference between success and failure. Presenting information clearly and effectively is a key skill to connecting with your audience and getting your message out.

Public speaking is the foremost ability in businesses, education, and the public arena. Public speeches can cover a wide range of topics and have many goals - to inform, educate, entertain, or influence the listeners. Over the years, public speaking in communication has played a major role in education, government, and business.

Many employers place an especially high value on public speaking skills. Candidates with public speaker skills are often placed in a higher position in the company. They present leadership and the ability to influence their coworkers and clients.

Companies always look for employees who can deliver clear and engaging presentations, no matter what department they will work in.

The spoken word can be even more powerful than the written word in the hands of the right speaker. Ideally, every employer should present a good level of communication and presentation skills, that’s why you should consider showcasing your public speaking skills on your resume.

You can do that by emphasizing some skills that can be associated with speaking in front of a small or large audience. To help you with that, we made a list of relevant skills that will help you highlight additionally your public speaking skills.

Including public speaking skills on your resume can be something that sets you apart from the rest of the candidates. Check out the public speaking skills, which can be the key to landing you the job you want:

Communication is the skillset that you should emphasize the most. Present your communication skills by saying that you can clearly explain complex concepts to a wide range of people, or how comfortable and confident you are in speaking to a small or large groups.

Analytical skills are necessary skills for public speaking. The ability to gather, understand, and break down data can help you more easily present and report the results of the analysis to a broad audience.

Planning skills are the key to a great presentation or public speech. Demonstrate your ability to accurately estimate the time and effort required to complete task/presentation. You need good planning skills to prepare, not only, your speech, but also your technical equipment.

Writing is an essential skill in the workplace. Strong writing skills help you prepare an outstanding presentation and write speeches that can sell, inspire or inform your audience.

Presentation skills are the ability to organize slides and content in a way your audiences can understand. It also includes some technical skills like knowledge of presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote and more.

How to demonstrate public speaking on your resume:

• Mention your good communication skills on your resume summery.
• Demonstrate your writing and presentational skills.
• Use specific details about your experience to show your achievements and skills.
• In the skill section, list your presentational software skills.

Example 1: Demonstrate public speaking in the experience section

• • Responsible for preparing over 10 statements per mount and addressing radio/TV media regarding the clients' current or upcoming events
• • Coordinate and host over 20 public speaking engagements
• • Conduct Product demonstration and application training for customers, new employees and freelancers
• • Prepare concepts for new clients that promote their brand via commercial spots

The resume experience section is the place to demonstrate best your public speaking skills. Ideally, you want the experience section of your resume to showcase the growth of your skillset.

In the provided example of the Client Relations Spokesperson, we can see first that a hint for a public speaking is in the job title, which shows that this candidate is comfortable speaking to a large audience and have the needed knowledge to do it.

They also demonstrated writing skills specifically for public speeches. In this section, they highlight their abilities and accomplishments in participating in the organizing of public speaking events. The provided examples show also their planing skills and presentational skills.

Example 2: Demonstrate public speaking in the resume summary section

This resume summary demonstrates public speaking without mentioning it. This is a good example of how you can demonstrate your communication abilities by emphasizing some skills associated with speaking in front of an audience.

From this example, the hiring manager can quickly understand that this job applicant can deliver an oral presentation or speech to a live audience

Example 3: Show your public speaking skills in your achievements sections

When listing your achievements on your resume, make sure that you include time frame, scale, or results.

This example demonstrate how good communication can earn the company money, a good name, or save resources. Public speaking is not only for special events, it is also about internal communication and the ability to present information to your team or more than one department in the company.

From this example, the recruiter can conclude that this applicant is comfortable to speak in front of coworkers or clients.

• Public speaking continues to be an important skill for many professions, and employers value candidates who possess those abilities.
• Demonstrating public speaking skills on your resume can set you apart from the rest of the candidates.
• Public speaking is not a single skill, it comprises a variety of skills, like communication, writing, planning, and even analytical skills.
• You can emphasize the skills associating with public speaking to display your confidence and abilities in delivering a successful oral presentation to the audience.

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How To Add Public Speaking Skills To a Resume

Need to add public speaking skills to your resume? Here’s how, including what skills to highlight and real bullet point examples.

2 years ago   •   4 min read

Whether you’re a professional speaker or just need to present at the occasional conference, public speaking is a valuable — and rare — skill to have. It’s also a soft skill , which makes it a little tricky to list on a resume. Unlike hard skills, you can’t just add “public speaking” to your skills section and be done with it. So, what can you do instead?

The answer is to demonstrate public speaking skills through your resume accomplishments . While hiring managers hate reading buzzwords like “excellent communicator” or “strong motivator,” they love concise, action-focused bullet points that show how you’ve actually used those skills.

Ready to begin? Here’s a quick-start guide on how to add public speaking skills to your resume.

How to write a resume for a public speaker

• Determine how much public speaking is required by the job. A resume for a full-time public speaker is going to look very different from one where it’s an occasional duty.
• Search the job description for specific public speaking skills you’ll need in the job.
• Brainstorm examples of when you’ve used similar skills in a professional context. Try to come up with one example for each job duty listed.
• Write these examples down in bullet point format, starting with a strong action verb .
• Finish with a metric that describes the results of your actions.
• Get feedback on your resume from an ATS resume scanner to identify any missing skills or keywords.

How to say you’re good at public speaking

Like any other soft skill, the best way to include public speaking skills on your resume is in the work experience section . If possible, choose examples of accomplishments that closely match the duties listed in the job posting — for example, if you’ll be presenting in front of large groups, try to come up with at least one time when you’ve presented in front of a group . If you’ll be speaking with a particular aim in mind — like sales, education, or mediation — include skills related to that specific purpose.

If you’re changing careers or just starting out, you can use your bullet points to highlight transferable skills instead. These can include other types of experience instead of purely work experience — Were you a member of your college debate team? Hosted a large function for a local sports team or community group? Participated in a stand-up comedy event? Those can all be used to demonstrate public speaking skills as part of an ‘Activities’ or ‘Community Involvement’ section.

Find out if your resume shows public speaking skills

A good way to find out if your resume highlights your public speaking skills is to upload it to the tool below — it’ll scan your resume and let you know if you have shown soft skills such as public speaking, working well under pressure, multitasking and teamwork the right way.

Action verbs for public speaker resumes

Resume accomplishments need to stay focused on what you did, which means that every good bullet point should start with an action verb. Try starting your public speaking accomplishments with action verbs like:

• Interviewed
• Co-ordinated

Jobs for people who are good public speakers

If you’re good at public speaking, why not consider some of these potential careers:

• Motivational speaker
• Training specialist
• Sales representative
• Spokesperson
• TV presenter
• News reporter
• Speech writer
• Speaking trainer

Interested in pursuing a public speaking career but not sure how to start writing your resume? Here are some of the essential public speaking skills you’ll need for these jobs.

If you’re not sure which skills to include in your skills section, use the tool below to search for the public speaking job you’re applying for and it’ll give you a list of relevant skills. For example, type News Reporter to get a list of skills News Reporters are expected to have.

Public speaking skills to highlight on a resume

Public speaking doesn’t exist in a vacuum — you’ll also need related skills like:

• Interpersonal skills
• Communication
• Negotiation
• Active listening
• Speech writing
• Organization
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Good memory
• Sales acumen
• Instructional abilities
• Subject matter knowledge

Bear in mind, these are all soft skills that shouldn’t be listed directly on your resume. Instead, highlight them through your resume bullet points.

Need some tips? Here are a few examples to get you started.

Public speaking resume examples

Here are some examples of public speaking resume accomplishments to provide some inspiration for writing your own bullet points.

Organized a variety of different events, including sales events, showcases, and free seminars with attendees averaging from 150-200, gaining over $70,000 in direct sales.

If you’ll be involved in public speaking events, your accomplishments should also highlight skills like organization, communication, and event planning.

Coordinated and planned 10+ training sessions for 50+ workers across 2 main offices; set agenda and produced minutes for C-suite executives.

If you’ll be delivering training, workshops, or professional development, choose an accomplishment that demonstrates your ability to train and lead others.

Managed business relationships with 10 clients, including Volkswagen, Deutsche Bank and McDonalds and presented marketing strategies to senior management to drive ROI and re-engineer sales operations, generating $2MM+ in annual revenue.

Sales and public speaking often go hand in hand. If you’ll be speaking to external clients or stakeholders, emphasize metrics like business growth and revenue generation.

Produced 185 radio news stories for on-air morning and afternoon programs and hosted a Resume Worded afternoon radio show conducting over 495 hours of live on-air radio time and 257 hours of on-air interviews.

If you’re applying for a job well within the public sphere, like journalism or entertainment, include bullet point examples of previous experience presenting live or to a large audience.

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How To Add Public Speaking Skills On Resume

• Public Speaking
• August 18, 2023

Did you know using public speaking skills on your resume can improve your chances of bagging your dream job by 70% , or is it a skill you have yet to use? 

Often overlooked but valuable, public speaking goes beyond addressing an audience; it showcases persuasive communication and engagement. Adding these skills to your resume significantly enhances your job prospects. 

Employers across industries value confident presenters who can influence others positively. It is important to note that public speaking doesn’t necessarily require a formal platform, so let’s start by understanding the importance of adding public speaking skills on your resume.

Importance Of Public Speaking on Your Resume

Public speaking cultivates good communication skills by encouraging clear articulation, effective delivery, and active listening, ultimately enhancing interpersonal interactions. Public speaking holds significant importance on your resume due to the following reasons:

Leadership potential: Public speaking reflects your leadership qualities as it requires commanding attention, guiding others, and taking charge of a situation. Employers seek individuals who can lead and inspire their teams.

Presentation skills: Public speaking demonstrates your proficiency in delivering engaging and impactful presentations, a valuable asset in various professional settings. You can use it for corporate presentations or government meetings.

Confidence And Poise: Being a competent public speaker reflects self-assurance and poise, qualities that can positively influence how you handle challenging situations in the workplace.

Persuasive communication: A strong public speaker can effectively persuade and influence others, a crucial skill in negotiations, sales, and client interactions.

Public representation: In specific roles, employees represent their organizations in public events, conferences, or media appearances. Being a skilled public speaker enhances the organization’s reputation and credibility.

In the next section, you will learn 5 ways where you can highlight public speaking skills in your resume.

5 Ways To Highlight Public Speaking Skills In Your Resume

In a competitive job market, your resume is your gateway to success. Learn how to stand out by effectively highlighting your public speaking and writing skills.

1. In Experience Section

Look back on your academic, professional, or personal life for instance keynote addresses where you engaged in public speaking in front of large groups and showcased organizational abilities. Provide context to demonstrate the significance of each event. 

Highlight your skills in articulating the purpose of your speeches, effectively engaging target audiences, and showcasing the tangible impact generated by public speaking engagements, all contributing to a comprehensive public speaking skill set featured on your resume.

2. In Achievements Section

This adds weight to your expertise, underscoring your effectiveness as a communicator. It’s a testament to your influence and resonance as a speaker.

Provide details and achievements: Include specifics such as the event name, date, location, and topic of your presentation. Additionally, mention any notable achievements or feedback received. 

Highlight public speaker skills and speaking course: Including public speaking training on your resume showcases proactive self-improvement and commitment to honing speaking abilities, demonstrating value to employers who appreciate personal and professional development.

3. In Skills Section

Integrating your public speaking experiences into the “Experience” section further emphasizes the significance of this skill in your career.

Showcase public speaking as a core skill: Describe how you utilize your public speaking abilities to achieve positive outcomes in your previous roles. Use strong action verbs and quantifiable results to make your accomplishments as public speakers stand out.

Showcase communication skills: Public speaking is a testament to your communication prowess. Good communication skills are vital and sought after by employers in almost every industry. This helps you create personal connections with your colleagues. 

Showcase problem-solving skills: Public speaking often involves thinking on your feet and addressing unexpected challenges. Use this opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and how technical skills can you effectively handle pressure in various situations.

Showcase leadership skills: Employers seek candidates who can inspire and motivate others; public speaking provides an excellent platform for demonstrating team leadership and project management. Use your public speaking experiences to showcase your leadership abilities.

4. In Reference Section

Contact individuals who have witnessed your speaking abilities to bolster your credibility as a skilled public speaker. 

Request recommendations: Request recommendations that specifically highlight your public speaking prowess in front of a broader audience. These personal endorsements add an authentic touch to your resume and can significantly influence the hiring decision.

Adding a testimonial section: Testimonials provide additional evidence of your communication skills, interpersonal skills, and presentation abilities. Consider adding a “Testimonials” section to your resume, featuring brief quotes or endorsements from those you have spoken to. 

5. Create A Dedicated “Public Speaking” Section

Creating a dedicated section for a public speaking job or speaker resume solely for your public speaking experience highlights the significance of your speaking skills in your professional profile and attracts the attention of potential employers.

Organize your public speaker resume effectively: Use a clear and distinct heading, such as “ Public Speaking Experience “, “ Public Speaker Resume” or “ Speaking Engagements and Workshops .” 

Tailor your resume for each job application: To optimize your public speaker resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) tailor it for each job application. Carefully read the job description and identify keywords related to public speaking, such as “ presentation skills ,” “ public speaking ,” “ verbal communication ,” “ confident speaker ,” and more. Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume, especially in your summary, experience, and skills sections.

Best Way To Create A Resume

Creating an impressive resume begins with careful structuring. 

Start by selecting a clean, professional format that places your most relevant information upfront. 

Include a concise yet compelling summary statement highlighting your essential skills and experiences. 

Incorporate specific sections such as ‘Skills’, ‘Experience’, ‘Education’, and ‘Achievements’. 

Ensure your ‘ Skills’ section aligns with the job description , and in ‘Experience’, provide evidence of these relevant skills in action. 

Incorporate quantifiable achievements to validate your claims. 

Fine-tune your language, using power verbs and industry-specific jargon to convey your capabilities confidently. 

Lastly, proofread meticulously for any errors or inconsistencies. 

Remember, your resume represents your professional persona; ensure it effectively communicates your unique value.

In conclusion, adding public speaking skills to your resume can give you a competitive advantage in the job market. It showcases your proven ability to communicate effectively, confidently lead, and engage audiences. You can even create great resume templates using websites like ResumeBuild and NovoResume . By following the steps in this blog and crafting a well-structured and keyword-optimized resume, you enhance your chances of impressing potential employers with your public speaking prowess.

Rishabh Bhandari

Rishabh Bhandari is the Content Strategist at Kapable. Rishabh likes to transform complex ideas into captivating narratives relatable to the target audience. He loves telling stories through his content. He believes that stories have the power to shift mindsets and move mountains. He has 3 years of experience in educational blog writing and copywriting.

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Public Speaker Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Public Speaker resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Public speaking is a critical skill for anyone looking to advance their career. It’s also one of the most common fears people have. But despite the fear factor, public speaking is an incredibly important part of any job. You might present at company meetings, conferences, or even just in front of small groups of colleagues. You might give speeches at award ceremonies or galas. Or you might just need to give a presentation to your team.

Regardless of the setting, public speaking is a skill that will help you grow in your career. But how do you get started building your public speaking skills when you don’t have much experience under your belt? How do you write a great public speaking resume that will get hiring managers interested in hiring you?

Here are some tips to help you write a public speaking resume that hiring managers will love.

Dynamic public speaker with more than 10 years of experience in front of groups of all sizes. Passionate about using storytelling to make complex topics digestible and inspiring. Experienced in moderating panels and facilitating lively group discussions.

• Delivered engaging and informative presentations on a variety of topics, including:
• Collaborated with colleagues to develop content for training programs and developed new presentation ideas based on feedback from audiences.
• Created PowerPoint slides that supported the message and assisted in delivering information effectively to large groups of employees.
• Developed relationships with internal customers (e.g., managers) to understand their needs and priorities, as well as external customers (e.g., students).
• Provided constructive feedback to others regarding their performance or behavior when appropriate and participated in special projects as needed by management.
• Created and delivered presentations on a variety of topics, including business etiquette, public speaking techniques and effective communication
• Collaborated with other speakers to create engaging programs that appealed to diverse audiences
• Conducted research on company products or services for the purpose of creating informative presentations
• Prepared and practiced speeches in advance of delivering them publicly; consistently received positive feedback from managers
• Regularly updated content based on current events or changes within the organization’s product line
• Wrote and distributed press releases to local, state, and national media outlets.
• Monitored media outlets for stories related to the organization and distributed those stories to the appropriate parties.
• Assisted with planning and execution of special events such as media conferences, press conferences, and open houses.
• Certified Speaking Professional
• Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
• Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner

Industry Knowledge: Public Speaking, Design Thinking, Presentation Design, Presentation Delivery, Presentation Management, Presentation Preparation Technical Skills: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Keynote Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership, Public Speaking, Motivation, Time Management, Public Relations

How to Write a Public Speaker Resume

Here’s how to write a public speaker resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can make your bullet points much more interesting and compelling by using specific numbers and statistics.

For example, rather than saying you “conducted research for new product development,” you could say you “conducted research for new product development, resulting in 10 new products in first year.”

The second bullet point is much more interesting and provides a clear sense of the scope of the project and its outcome.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for specific terms related to the position you’re applying for, like “public speaking” or “presentation skills.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of public speaker keywords as a starting point to help you identify the skills and experience you want to highlight on your resume:

• Public Speaking
• Customer Service
• Social Media
• Time Management
• Communication
• Microsoft Access
• Organization Skills
• Event Planning
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Research Writing
• Event Management
• Social Media Marketing
• Public Relations
• Team Building
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing Strategy
• Communication Skills
• Project Planning
• Team Leadership

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a public speaker, you need to be proficient in a number of different technologies in order to effectively do your job. This might include familiarity with audio/visual equipment, presentation software, and teleconferencing systems. Additionally, public speakers need to be able to use technology to research and develop their speeches.

Some of the programs and systems that public speakers are typically expected to be proficient in include: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and various audio/visual equipment.

RFP Specialist Resume Example & Writing Guide

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Public Speaker Resume Examples

If you are looking to become a public speaker, then you need to make sure that your resume captures your experience, qualifications, and accomplishments in a compelling way. Writing a resume for public speaking can be a tricky task as you need to capture the attention of event organizers and make them want to invite you to their events. This guide will provide you with tips and examples on how to craft a powerful public speaker resume. You will learn how to make use of your experience and qualifications to stand out from the crowd. Additionally, you will also find examples of resumes that will serve as a template and inspiration when creating yours.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, be sure to check out our complete library of resume examples .

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Public Speaker

123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 99999 | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected]

I am a confident public speaker with extensive experience presenting to large crowds. I have a well- rounded background in sales, marketing, and communications, and have been a featured speaker at many events, conferences, and seminars. I am an excellent communicator, able to adapt to a variety of audiences, and deliver engaging presentations. My enthusiasm and commitment to professionalism make me a great asset for any public speaking engagements.

Core Skills :

• Public speaking
• Presentation and communication
• Adaptability
• Organizational and time management
• Sales and marketing
• Analytical and problem solving

Professional Experience :

• Keynote Speaker, ABC Events, 2019- 2020 Delivered inspiring and engaging presentations to large crowds on a variety of topics, such as leadership, communication, and customer service.
• Speaker, XYZ Conferences, 2017- 2019 Presented at conferences and seminars on topics such as creative problem solving, team building, and customer service.
• Communications Manager, DEF Corporation, 2012- 2017 Managed the company’s communications strategy and content, including press releases, website content, and print materials.

Education :

• Bachelor of Science in Communications, University of ABC, 2012
• Certified Public Speaker, ABC Institute, 2016

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Public Speaker Resume with No Experience

Enthusiastic public speaker with no experience who is eager to learn and develop communication skills and engage audiences. Highly organized and articulate individual with exceptional ability to listen and respond.

• Strong communication skills
• Excellent presentation and public speaking abilities
• Ability to captivate audiences
• Passionate about engaging with people
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability and flexibility

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling and engaging content for presentations
• Analyze audience needs and tailor presentations accordingly
• Engage with audiences to solicit feedback and maintain interest
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Organize and plan presentations to ensure smooth delivery
• Research, compile and analyze data to create visually appealing slides
• Conduct pre- event preparations, such as setting up equipment and audio- visual materials

Experience 0 Years

Level Junior

Education Bachelor’s

Public Speaker Resume with 2 Years of Experience

Dynamic public speaker with two years of experience captivating diverse audiences and inspiring them to take action. Compelling communicator with a knack for tailoring messages to engage and motivate different types of people. Skilled in creating presentations that are visually appealing and high- impact. Able to connect with any audience through humor, storytelling, and powerful communication.

• Effective communicator
• Expert public speaker
• Strong presentation skills
• Strategic problem solving
• Flexible and adaptive
• Engaging storytelling

Responsibilities :

• Developing and delivering speeches to a wide range of audiences
• Designing presentations with visually appealing graphics and high- impact content
• Engaging with the audience in a meaningful and interactive way
• Adapting presentations to be relevant and effective for different types of audiences
• Creating and delivering workshops on a variety of topics
• Staying up- to- date on current topics and trends related to the subject matter of presentations

Experience 2+ Years

Public Speaker Resume with 5 Years of Experience

Hardworking, multi- talented public speaker with five years of experience delivering powerful and inspiring presentations to a variety of audiences. Well- versed in developing and delivering speeches to capture the attention of a crowd, while giving audiences the knowledge and motivation they need to take action. Skilled at creating effective slide decks and setting up audio- visual systems. Passionate about helping others learn and grow.

• Public Speaking
• Project Management
• Script Writing
• Audience Engagement
• Audio- Visual setup
• Powerpoint Presentations
• Time Management
• Developed content for speeches and presentations to inspire and educate audiences.
• Delivered speeches in a variety of venue types, including classrooms, conference halls, auditoriums, and town halls.
• Planned and managed audio- visual setup for presentations, including sound and lighting systems.
• Worked with project teams to ensure the delivery of presentations on time and within budget.
• Engaged with audiences to answer questions and keep their attention.
• Wrote and edited speech scripts for various themes.
• Developed Powerpoint presentations with engaging slides and visuals.
• Collaborated with team members to identify areas of improvement.
• Maintained records of presentation deliveries, including feedback from audiences.

Experience 5+ Years

Level Senior

Public Speaker Resume with 7 Years of Experience

Dynamic and accomplished public speaker with 7 years of experience delivering inspiring and informative presentations. Proven ability to engage and educate audiences of all sizes. Driven to create high- quality, impactful presentations tailored to meet the needs of clients. Adept at presenting complex topics in a straightforward, easy- to- understand manner.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication
• Creative problem solving
• Ability to engage and entertain audiences of any size
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite
• Knowledge of current trends and developments in the field
• Adaptability in changing environments
• Skilled negotiator
• Creating presentations tailored to meet client needs
• Developing content to communicate key ideas and messages
• Setting up and troubleshooting audio- visual equipment
• Researching current trends and developments in the public speaking field
• Ensuring presentations are engaging and informative
• Networking with potential partners and sponsors
• Delivering compelling presentations to audiences of all sizes
• Developing relationships with audiences and other speakers
• Developing and managing speaking engagements.

Experience 7+ Years

Public Speaker Resume with 10 Years of Experience

Experienced public speaker with over 10 years of experience in delivering engaging lectures, leading workshops and consulting on public speaking topics. Specializing in providing tailored communication strategies to small and large audiences. Core strengths include developing effective messaging, organization, and delivery. Possessing a passionate and enthusiastic attitude that encourages audience participation.

• Effective communication
• Organizational and planning skills
• Ability to engage an audience
• Excellent public speaking techniques
• Workshop and consultation experience
• Ability to develop messaging
• Able to create tailored communication strategies
• Developing communication strategies and plans to increase audience engagement
• Researching topics and creating custom content for speeches, presentations and workshops
• Creating training materials for customers, staff and partners
• Organizing topics for various seminars, workshops and conferences
• Delivering engaging lectures and presentations
• Providing consultation and guidance to clients on public speaking topics
• Coordinating with other speakers, partners and team members to ensure success of event
• Assisting in the development of marketing campaigns to promote services and events

Experience 10+ Years

Level Senior Manager

Education Master’s

Public Speaker Resume with 15 Years of Experience

An experienced public speaker with 15 years of experience in delivering engaging, informative and entertaining public presentations. Have a deep knowledge in public speaking, event management and communication. Skilled in developing engaging presentations, delivering them in a confident and efficient manner and creating a memorable experience for the audience. Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a variety of individuals to ensure success.

• Event management
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Time management
• Develop engaging presentations for a variety of audiences
• Deliver presentations in an articulate and confident manner
• Utilize creative problem solving techniques to engage audiences
• Research and analyze topics of interest to ensure accuracy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills
• Manage and facilitate events and conferences
• Provide feedback to clients on the success of presentations
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of presentations
• Assist in the development and implementation of marketing strategies

Experience 15+ Years

Level Director

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What should be included in a Public Speaker resume?

A public speaker resume should be well-crafted to highlight the skills and experience that makes the speaker an ideal choice for public speaking engagements. A resume should include the following details:

• Professional Summary: A short summary of your public speaking experience. This should be concise and highlight your unique skill set as a public speaker.
• Education: List your educational qualifications, including any degrees or certifications in public speaking.
• Topics of Expertise: List the topics that you specialize in and have the most experience speaking on.
• Previous Engagements: Include any engagements where you have spoken in public, including the duration and audience size.
• Awards and Recognition: List any awards, accolades, or recognition that you have received as a public speaker.
• Testimonials: Include any testimonials from previous engagements, which can be a great way to show potential clients that you are a successful speaker.
• Contact Information: Include your contact information, such as an email address and phone number, so potential clients can easily reach out to you.

What is a good summary for a Public Speaker resume?

A good summary for a Public Speaker resume should include information about the speaker’s professional experience and qualifications for speaking engagements. Additionally, the summary should highlight the speaker’s areas of expertise, the topics they are most familiar with and the types of audiences they are comfortable speaking to. The summary should also include any awards, recognitions or accolades the speaker has received. Finally, the summary should detail the speaker’s professional objectives and ambitions and provide any additional information that would be beneficial to prospective event organizers.

What is a good objective for a Public Speaker resume?

A Public Speaker resume should provide an employer with a clear understanding of the speaker’s skills, qualifications and experience.

The objective on a Public Speaker resume should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for, outlining the skills you have that would be beneficial to the position.

• A good objective for a Public Speaker resume should include:
• Experience in public speaking, either through public events or education
• A commitment to delivering quality presentations
• Knowledge and understanding of the audience
• Ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to think on your feet
• Ability to handle pressure and remain composed
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to research topics quickly and accurately

How do you list Public Speaker skills on a resume?

Public speaking skills are an invaluable asset for many jobs and should be included on your resume if you have them. Following are some key public speaking skills to list on your resume:

• Ability to captivate an audience: Demonstrating the ability to engage an audience with dynamic and captivating presentations will make you stand out as a public speaker.
• Strong communication skills: Being able to effectively communicate your message is vital to successful public speaking.
• Effective use of body language: Being able to use body language to emphasize points, reduce anxiety and set a positive tone can help make a presentation more effective.
• Good organizational skills: Being able to organize information in an efficient and effective manner can help keep an audience engaged.
• Time management: Being able to stay on schedule while giving a presentation is critical to being an effective public speaker.
• Creative problem solving: Being able to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions to complex problems can help make presentations more interesting and memorable.
• Confidence: Having a high level of confidence when speaking in front of large groups will help you make a positive impression.

What skills should I put on my resume for Public Speaker?

When it comes to a CV for a public speaker, there are certain skills that employers look for that can help make you stand out from the competition. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what skills you should include on your resume when applying for public speaking roles.

When it comes to public speaking, there are a few key qualities that should be highlighted on your resume. These include:

• Public speaking ability: Employers want to know that you have the ability to speak confidently and with clarity in front of an audience. Showcase your speaking experience, whether it’s through public speaking classes, competitions you’ve won, or presentations you’ve given.
• Communication skills: Being able to communicate effectively is key when it comes to public speaking. You should be able to explain complex ideas in an easy-to-understand way and be able to adapt your language depending on the audience you’re speaking to.
• Research skills: If you’re applying for a public speaking role, employers want to know that you have the ability to research topics and prepare detailed presentations. Showcase any research projects you’ve completed and highlight any relevant training you’ve received.
• Time management skills: Employers want to know that you have the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage your time effectively. Showcase any projects you’ve worked on where you had to juggle multiple tasks and show that you’re able to stick to a plan.
• Emotional intelligence: Public speaking requires a certain level of emotional intelligence, so it’s important to highlight any skills you have in this area. Showcase any work you’ve done that involved working with people of different backgrounds or with difficult personalities.

By highlighting these skills on your resume, you can show employers that you’re the right candidate for the

Key takeaways for an Public Speaker resume

When preparing a public speaker resume, there are a few key takeaways you should consider. These key takeaways will help ensure that your resume accurately reflects your experience and abilities as a public speaker.

First, highlight your public speaking experience. Whether you’ve been a keynote speaker at a large conference, or simply spoken at a local event, make sure to include the details of your experience on your resume. Include the title of the presentation you gave, the size of the audience, and any notable accomplishments.

Second, showcase any awards or recognition that you have received. If you’ve been recognized for your public speaking, make sure to include the details on your resume. This will help to show others that your work as a public speaker is well-regarded.

Third, highlight any feedback you’ve received. If you’ve received positive feedback from your audience or other public speakers, make sure to mention it on your resume. This will show employers that you have a track record of delivering great presentations.

Finally, make sure to include any special skills or abilities that you have. If you have written any books or articles related to public speaking, or have a unique way of presenting material, make sure to include it on your resume. This will give employers a better idea of your overall abilities.

By taking the time to consider these key takeaways when preparing your public speaker resume, you can ensure that employers get a complete picture of your capabilities as a public speaker.

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• Career Blog

Best Public Speaking Skills for Your Resume in 2024

Public speaking is an essential skill for professionals in any industry. It goes beyond simply delivering a speech in front of an audience. A great public speaker can communicate ideas, engage others, and drive action. Therefore, employers value individuals with these skills in their workforce.

Nowadays, almost all job roles require some level of public speaking, whether it be presenting to clients, leading a team, or pitching an idea. As such, adding public speaking skills to your resume can help you stand out as a candidate against your competition.

How This Article Can Help You Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

If you struggle with public speaking, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for enhancing your public speaking skills, including:

• Identifying your strengths and areas for improvement
• Overcoming anxiety and nervousness
• Crafting impactful messages
• Using various public speaking techniques, such as storytelling and humor

By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge and tools to become a confident and competent public speaker. So, let’s dive in!

Understanding the Fundamentals of Public Speaking

A. what is public speaking.

Public speaking is the act of presenting information to an audience through a speech or presentation. This can take many different forms, including lectures, debates, presentations, or even wedding toasts. The goal of public speaking is to engage and inform the audience, often with the intention of changing their perspective or behavior.

B. Why is Public Speaking Important?

Public speaking is an essential skill for many different professions and situations. Whether you’re a business leader, a politician, or simply an individual giving a presentation at work, effective public speaking can help you achieve your goals and influence others. Additionally, strong public speaking skills can build confidence and improve your overall communication abilities.

C. The Benefits of Public Speaking

There are many benefits to developing strong public speaking skills. Here are just a few:

• Improved confidence: Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people, but the more you do it, the more comfortable and confident you become.
• Increased influence: When you can speak confidently and persuasively, you have the ability to influence and inspire others. This can be particularly valuable in leadership roles.
• Better communication: Public speaking often involves condensing complex ideas into understandable, bite-sized pieces. This can improve your overall communication abilities, making you a better listener and speaker in everyday conversations.
• Career advancement: Many employers value strong public speaking skills and consider them a key factor in advancement opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a promotion or a new job, strong public speaking skills can make you a more attractive candidate.

Public speaking is an essential part of effective communication and can offer numerous benefits both personally and professionally. By understanding the fundamentals of public speaking and continuing to practice and develop this skill, you can become a more confident, influential, and successful communicator.

Strategies for Preparing a Compelling Speech/ Presentation

Public speaking is one of the most in-demand skills for job seekers in today’s market. As a copywriter and subject matter expert, it’s important to prepare a compelling and effective speech or presentation to showcase these skills. Here are some strategies to help you prepare a powerful speech:

A. Setting a Goal and Choosing a Topic

The first step towards creating a great presentation is to set a clear goal and choose a topic that is relevant to your audience. This means understanding your audience and figuring out what they’re interested in hearing about. Once you have a clear goal and topic in mind, you can start crafting your message.

B. Conducting Adequate Research

Effective presentations require adequate research. This means gathering relevant information, statistics, and facts that will support your message. Take some time to research your topic thoroughly and make sure you’re using the most up-to-date and accurate information. This will help you build credibility and establish yourself as an expert on the subject.

C. Structuring Your Speech

Structuring your speech is key to delivering a message that is clear, concise, and engaging. A classic structure to follow is the “problem-solution” format. This involves first presenting a problem or issue and offering solutions or strategies to address it. Another structure to consider is the “tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them,” format. This approach involves introducing your topic, breaking it down in detail, and then summarizing your main points at the end.

D. Creating Powerful Visual Aids

Lastly, using powerful visual aids can help enhance your presentation and make it more engaging. This can include slides, images, infographics, and videos. Visual aids should support your message without overpowering it. Use them to clarify complex concepts, demonstrate processes, or highlight key points.

By setting a clear goal, conducting adequate research, structuring your speech effectively, and incorporating powerful visual aids, you can deliver a compelling and memorable presentation that showcases your public speaking skills on your resume.

Developing Your Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is an essential skill that many employers are seeking in their employees. To improve your public speaking skills, you need to develop strategies that will help you to communicate effectively and confidently in front of an audience.

A. Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

Public speaking anxiety is a common issue that many people face. You can overcome this anxiety by practicing your speech, knowing your subject matter, and visualizing a successful presentation. Before you speak, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. It may also help to focus on the message you want to convey rather than your own fears.

B. Using Body Language Effectively

Body language is a powerful communication tool that can help you to engage your audience, convey your message, and establish rapport. To use body language effectively, maintain eye contact with your audience, use gestures and facial expressions to emphasize key points, and adopt an open stance that reflects confidence and friendliness.

C. Nurturing Your Voice

Your voice is another critical aspect of public speaking. To nurture your voice, practice breathing exercises that will help you to project your voice, vary your tone and pitch to engage your audience, and articulate your words clearly. A well-practiced and confident voice can make a significant difference in the success of your presentation.

D. Connecting with Your Audience

Connecting with your audience is a crucial part of public speaking. To do this, tailor your message to your audience’s interests and needs, ask questions and get feedback during your speech, and use storytelling techniques to engage and inspire your listeners. By building a rapport with your audience, you can increase their interest and attention to your presentation.

E. Engaging Your Audience

Engaging your audience means that you are not just informing them but also entertaining them. To achieve this, break up your presentation with anecdotes, humor, and interesting examples. Use creative visuals such as slideshows or videos, and encourage interaction with your audience by asking questions and soliciting feedback. By actively engaging your listeners, you can create a memorable and impactful presentation.

Developing your public speaking skills is a valuable investment in your career growth. By overcoming your anxiety, using body language effectively, nurturing your voice, connecting with your audience, and engaging your listeners, you can enhance your presentations and gain a competitive advantage in the job market.

Demonstrating Your Public Speaking Skills on Your Resume

When crafting your resume, it is essential to highlight your public speaking skills. Not only does it showcase your ability to communicate effectively, but it also indicates your leadership potential and confidence in front of an audience. Here are a few ways to demonstrate your public speaking skills on your resume:

A. Listing Public Speaking Skills on Your Resume

Create a separate section on your resume to list your public speaking skills under a header like “Professional Skills” or “Additional Skills.” This will ensure your potential employer can easily identify your strengths.

Include any relevant details such as the type of audience you have spoken to, the size of the audience, and the frequency of your public speaking engagements. Additionally, highlight any special certifications, such as Toastmasters, that you may have earned.

Here’s an example:

Professional Skills

• Experienced in delivering presentations to large and diverse audiences, with over 50 speeches delivered at international conferences and events.
• Certified by Toastmasters International in public speaking and leadership skills.
• Able to adapt presentations to convey complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

B. Providing Examples of Your Public Speaking Skills

Another way to demonstrate your public speaking skills is by providing tangible examples of your work. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Include links to any presentations you have delivered or videos of you speaking at events.
• Add any speaking engagements or events you have attended and the topics you covered to your resume.
• Mention any positive feedback or accolades you have received after speaking engagements.

Be sure to highlight any notable accomplishments, such as a successful presentation that resulted in new business or an award for your speaking skills.

C. How to Demonstrate Your Skills During an Interview

During an interview, you have the opportunity to showcase your public speaking skills in person. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Be prepared to answer questions about your speaking experience, including details like the size of the audience, the duration of your talk, and the type of content you covered.
• Use examples to demonstrate your skills, including any challenging speaking situations you have faced and how you overcame them.
• Be confident, articulate, and engaging when speaking with your interviewer. This will showcase your poise and professionalism in even the most high-pressure situations.

Public speaking skills are highly valued in many industries, and highlighting them on your resume and during interviews can set you apart from other candidates. Focus on listing these skills on your resume, providing examples of your work, and demonstrating your skills during an interview. By doing so, you can impress potential employers and show them that you have the expertise and confidence to be a valuable asset to their team.

Additional Public Speaking Skills That Employers Value

As a skilled communicator, it’s important to showcase a range of public speaking skills on your resume. While the basic skills such as clear enunciation, eye contact, and body language are crucial, there are some additional skills that employers find highly desirable.

A. Persuasion

Persuasion is the ability to influence and sway an audience to take a particular action or adopt a new idea. It’s a coveted trait among public speakers, especially those in sales, marketing, and leadership roles. When employers see persuasion listed on your resume, they know you have the ability to inspire and motivate others to act.

To improve your persuasion skills, focus on understanding your audience and tailoring your message to their needs and wants. Use storytelling techniques and emotional appeals to make your point more compelling. Also, be confident and assertive, but not pushy or aggressive.

B. Storytelling

Storytelling is an excellent public speaking skill to have, as it can captivate and engage an audience. Good storytellers are able to convey complex information in a way that’s easy to understand and memorable. This skill is especially valuable in industries like journalism, public relations, and entertainment.

To become a better storyteller, focus on building your narrative structure, starting with a compelling opening and ending with a strong conclusion. Use sensory details and vivid imagery to bring your stories to life. And practice delivering your stories with energy, enthusiasm, and emotion.

C. Listening

Listening is a key component of effective communication, and it’s a highly valued skill in any public speaking role. Being an active listener allows you to understand your audience’s needs and interests, which in turn can help you better tailor your message.

To improve your listening skills as a public speaker, practice staying present and engaged during conversations. Avoid interrupting people or allowing your mind to wander. Take notes and show genuine interest in what others are saying.

D. Adaptability

Finally, adaptability is another important public speaking skill that employers value. The ability to adjust to unexpected situations or changes in the environment is crucial in public speaking.

To improve your adaptability as a public speaker, practice thinking on your feet and remaining calm under pressure. Be prepared to adjust your message or delivery to accommodate different audiences or situations. And be confident in your ability to handle unexpected challenges or disruptions.

By showcasing these additional public speaking skills on your resume, you’ll show potential employers that you’re a skilled and versatile communicator, capable of engaging and persuading audiences in a variety of settings.

Public Speaking Courses/Certifications

As a copywriter and subject matter expert, having excellent public speaking skills can significantly boost your career. Enhancing your public speaking skills can make you stand out from the competition and help you communicate with your audience in a more effective way.

A. Benefits of Taking a Public Speaking Course

Taking a public speaking course can provide numerous benefits to help you in your career. These benefits include:

• Improved Communication Skills:  A public speaking course can help you develop better communication skills by training you to articulate your thoughts and express them in a clear and concise manner.
• Increased Confidence:  Confidence is one of the most essential components of public speaking. By learning the techniques to stay calm and composed in front of an audience, you will feel more confident in yourself and your ability to speak effectively.
• Networking Opportunities:  Public speaking courses can provide you with excellent networking opportunities to improve your career prospects.
• Better Career Opportunities:  Public speaking is a highly sought-after skill in today’s job market. By having good public speaking skills, you become a more valuable asset to your company and open doors to better career opportunities.

B. Types of Public Speaking Courses/Certifications

Before you take a public speaking course, it’s essential to determine which course is most suitable for you. Below are four types of public speaking courses/certifications:

• Basic Public Speaking Course:  This course is perfect for those who are new to public speaking. It is designed to teach the fundamentals of public speaking, including proper posture, voice projection, tone, and other essential skills.
• Advanced Public Speaking Course:  An advanced public speaking course is ideal for those who already have some experience in public speaking and want to improve their skills further. Techniques covered in this course include storytelling, non-verbal communication, and audience engagement.
• Online Public Speaking Course:  Online public speaking courses offer more flexibility for busy individuals who cannot attend in-person classes. These courses usually consist of pre-recorded lectures and online forums where students can interact with each other and the instructor.
• Public Speaking Certification Courses:  Public speaking certification courses are intended to provide students with a degree of expertise that would be recognized and respected by employers. A certification program usually lasts longer than a public speaking course and involves studying more in-depth in areas such as public speaking theory, speechwriting, and presentation skills.

C. Best Public Speaking Course Providers

If you’re looking for the best public speaking course providers, here are four reputable institutions to consider:

Toastmasters International:  Toastmasters is known for coaching individuals in public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. Their programs are designed to offer practical experience, from impromptu speaking to delivering prepared speeches, all while receiving constructive feedback from other members.

Dale Carnegie:  Founded in 1912, Dale Carnegie has been providing training courses for public speaking, communication, and leadership skills for over a century.

Tips for Successful Public Speaking

Mastering the art of public speaking is an essential skill that can set you apart in your professional career. Whether you’re speaking in front of a large audience, presenting to clients, or pitching your ideas to investors, public speaking can help you effectively communicate your message.

To help you become a more confident and effective public speaker, consider the following tips:

A. Practice Makes Perfect

There’s no substitute for practice when it comes to improving your public speaking skills. The more you speak in front of others, the more comfortable and natural you will become. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Practice in front of a mirror to improve your posture, facial expressions, and body language
• Record yourself and watch the video to identify areas for improvement
• Time your presentation to make sure you stay within the allotted time
• Practice your breathing techniques to help manage nerves and improve your delivery

B. Learn from Others

The best public speakers are always learning and growing. Seek out opportunities to watch and learn from other speakers, and take note of what works and what doesn’t. Here are a few ways you can learn from others:

• Attend conferences or events where expert speakers are presenting
• Watch TED Talks or other inspiring speeches online
• Join a public speaking group or club to practice and learn from other members

C. Seek Feedback

Feedback is essential to improving your public speaking skills. Seek out constructive feedback from others to help identify areas for improvement and gain confidence in your abilities. Here are a few ways to seek feedback:

• Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to watch your presentation and provide feedback
• Organize a focus group or survey to gather feedback from your audience
• Use online tools like SurveyMonkey to gather feedback anonymously

Remember, becoming a successful public speaker takes time, effort, and practice. By implementing these tips and seeking out opportunities for growth and feedback, you can improve your public speaking skills and set yourself apart in your professional career.

Examples on How to List Public Speaking Skills on Your Resume

When it comes to showcasing your public speaking skills on your resume, it’s important to choose the right format and style that effectively highlights your abilities. In this section, we’ll provide you with some examples of sample resumes that demonstrate public speaking skills effectively, as well as discuss resume formats and styles that can help you stand out to potential employers.

A. Sample Resumes that Effectively Demonstrate Public Speaking Skills

When crafting your resume, it can be helpful to see examples of other resumes that effectively showcase public speaking skills. Here are a few sample resumes to help get you started:

• Experienced Sales Manager Resume:
• Listed under “Skills” section: “Experienced public speaker with over 5 years of experience presenting to both small and large groups.”
• Highlighted in “Experience” section: “Developed and delivered successful sales presentations to potential clients, resulting in a 30% increase in revenue.”
• Marketing Coordinator Resume:
• Listed under “Skills” section: “Proficient in public speaking, having presented to audiences of up to 200 people.”
• Highlighted in “Experience” section: “Organized and led several successful industry events, including a keynote presentation at our annual conference.”
• Nonprofit Program Manager Resume:
• Listed under “Skills” section: “Exceptional public speaking skills, demonstrated through numerous successful fundraising presentations.”
• Highlighted in “Experience” section: “Organized and hosted several successful fundraising events, including a charity gala with over 500 attendees.”

By including your public speaking experience and accomplishments in various sections of your resume, you demonstrate to potential employers that you are not only skilled at public speaking, but that you have effectively utilized those skills in your professional experience.

B. Resume Formats and Styles that Highlight Public Speaking Abilities

In addition to effectively listing your public speaking skills and accomplishments, you can also use different resume formats and styles to further emphasize your abilities. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Choose a visually appealing template: A visually appealing resume can help draw attention to your skills and accomplishments. Choose a template with a clean, modern design that is easy to read and showcases your public speaking experience.

Use a functional resume format: A functional resume format emphasizes your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history, making it a great choice for highlighting your public speaking abilities. Use this format to focus on your public speaking experience and other relevant skills, rather than your job titles or responsibilities.

Include multimedia: If you have any video or audio recordings of yourself speaking in public, consider including them in your resume. This can give potential employers a glimpse of your abilities and help you stand out from other candidates.

By choosing a visually appealing template, utilizing a functional resume format, and including multimedia if possible, you can make your public speaking abilities stand out on your resume and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

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How to list speaking engagements on a resume.

Speaking engagements can help your resume stand out and should be presented in a section highlighting professional experiences that aren't classified as skills or previous jobs . Presenting speaking engagements on your resume tells prospective employers you have good verbal communication skills and you're not afraid of public speaking. It suggests you have expertise in your field, you're passionate about your industry and you're a thought leader.

Create a Heading

Create an appropriate heading and list your speaking engagements in a special section. Use a heading that draws readers' attention to that area, such as Public Speaking Events or Professional Appearances .

If you only have one or two speaking engagements under your belt, use a heading such as Additional Professional Experience or Career Highlights that allows you to add other information, such as article publications, professional awards and conferences and workshops you attended. A section that's too brief can make your resume appear unbalanced or portray you as an amateur.

Narrow It Down

Stuffing your resume with irrelevant speaking engagements may hurt you instead of helping. Only list speaking engagements that are relevant to the position you're applying for and those that support your career goals. List the presentations that allow you to use targeted words first. Employers commonly scan resumes looking for specific keywords. If a job ad says applicants must have advanced knowledge of WordPress, listing a presentation you gave about tips and tricks for navigating WordPress helps you appear qualified for the job and tells readers you've tailored your resume for that position.

Provide the Details

Present the speaking engagements in a bullet list format. Include the topic or title of each presentation. Specify when and where it occurred, and focus on the outcome by including details – such as attendance numbers – or noting if the event was sold out. Make your presentations come to life by including links to online videos of the presentations you list.

Include the name of the hosting organization if it works in your favor. Speaking at an event sponsored by a large, reputable organization can improve your prospects. But be careful to avoid listing information that may work against you, such as details suggesting religious and political affiliations or linking you to controversial issues.

Minimize Extensive Speaking History

Be mindful of space so your resume doesn't get too long. Summarize your experience if you have a lot of speaking engagements to report. State how many presentations you've given within a specific time frame. For example, you may have headlined 10 events in the past two years. After your summary, create a short bulleted list of a few speaking engagements that are likely to grab the reader's attention.

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Felicia Dye graduated from Anne Arundel Community College with an associate's degree in paralegal studies. She began her writing career specializing in legal writing, providing content to companies including Internet Brands and private law firms. She contributes articles to Trace 775.com.

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Speaker resume examples for 2024

A speaker's resume should highlight their public speaking abilities and experiences. This can include leading seminars and conferences, participating in panel discussions, and presenting at international events. Demonstrating competence in public relations can also be beneficial. For example, one speaker's experience included advising a ministry on public relations.

Speaker resume example

How to format your speaker resume:.

• Tailor your speaker resume's job title to the role you're applying for
• Highlight achievements rather than responsibilities in your speaking experience
• Compress your speaker resume to fit on one page, focusing on relevance and impact

Choose from 10+ customizable speaker resume templates

Choose from a variety of easy-to-use speaker resume templates and get expert advice from Zippia’s AI resume writer along the way. Using pre-approved templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your speaker resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

Speaker resume format and sections

1. add contact information to your speaker resume.

Speaker Resume Contact Information Example # 1

Dhruv Johnson

[email protected] | 333-111-2222 | www.linkedin.com/in/dhruv-johnson

2. Add relevant education to your speaker resume

Your resume's education section should include:

• The name of your school
• The date you graduated ( Month, Year or Year are both appropriate)
• The name of your degree

If you graduated more than 15 years ago, you should consider dropping your graduation date to avoid age discrimination.

Optional subsections for your education section include:

• Academic awards (Dean's List, Latin honors, etc. )
• GPA (if you're a recent graduate and your GPA was 3.5+)
• Extra certifications
• Academic projects (thesis, dissertation, etc. )

Other tips to consider when writing your education section include:

• If you're a recent graduate, you might opt to place your education section above your experience section
• The more work experience you get, the shorter your education section should be
• List your education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent and high-ranking degrees first
• If you haven't graduated yet, you can include "Expected graduation date" to the entry for that school

Check More About Speaker Education

Speaker Resume Relevant Education Example # 1

Bachelor's Degree In Marketing 2004 - 2007

Texas A&M University College Station, TX

Speaker Resume Relevant Education Example # 2

Master's Degree In Communication 2012 - 2013

Towson University Towson, MD

4. List your speaker experience

The most important part of any resume for a speaker is the experience section. Recruiters and hiring managers expect to see your experience listed in reverse chronological order, meaning that you should begin with your most recent experience and then work backwards.

Don't just list your job duties below each job entry. Instead, make sure most of your bullet points discuss impressive achievements from your past positions. Whenever you can, use numbers to contextualize your accomplishments for the hiring manager reading your resume.

It's okay if you can't include exact percentages or dollar figures. There's a big difference even between saying "Managed a team of speakers" and "Managed a team of 6 speakers over a 9-month project. "

Most importantly, make sure that the experience you include is relevant to the job you're applying for. Use the job description to ensure that each bullet point on your resume is appropriate and helpful.

• Educated students in Human Resources, Management, Diversity, Business, and Business Law courses.
• Utilized various instructional methods including PowerPoint presentations, group projects, individualized projects, and peer teaching.
• Developed lectures, PowerPoint presentations, homework exercises, examinations and evaluated student performance.
• Created a PowerPoint presentation explaining the federal amendments of Civil Procedure and the challenges of discovery related to electronic communication.
• Utilized Blackboard interface to deliver course content and administer examinations.
• Slashed staff turnover rate by -5% overall through introduction of improved Counter & Business Manager hiring processes.
• Relayed statistics of each event in real time through various social media & media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.
• Developed strong and trusted relationship with customers through timely and accurate communications.
• Created and maintained trade show, and trademark guidelines on companywide intranet.
• Coordinated with communication colleagues across all Sectors to manage media requests and provide media relations support for numerous Sector projects.
• Facilitated program modules related to self-esteem building, conflict resolution, teamwork and various other topics.
• Presented the latest evaluation findings in addition to the Literacy Collaborative Research Report.
• Advanced Placement Spanish Literature Presenter: Reading Narratives
• Incorporated ideas about the correlation of the expression of gender identity in relation to one's environment.
• Presented a hands on approach literacy program to four and five year olds who attend the Montgomery Head Start Program.
• Presented poster to public at annual UCR Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Developed communication tools for prospect students.
• Contributed to the total effectiveness of the alumni department, communicating openly to solve problems proactively.
• Translated school/home communications to parents as needed.
• Presented a professional poster of independent research in an open house symposium

6. Finally, add an speaker resume summary or objective statement

A resume summary statement consists of 1-3 sentences at the top of your speaker resume that quickly summarizes who you are and what you have to offer. The summary statement should include your job title, years of experience (if it's 3+), and an impressive accomplishment, if you have space for it.

Remember to emphasize skills and experiences that feature in the job description.

Common speaker resume skills

• Real Estate
• Public Speaking
• Healthcare Professionals
• Mental Health
• Group Discussions
• Public Schools
• Student Body

Speaker Jobs

Links to help optimize your speaker resume.

• How To Write A Resume
• List Of Skills For Your Resume
• How To Write A Resume Summary Statement
• Action Words For Your Resume
• How To List References On Your Resume

Updated June 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

Why Presentation Skills Can Make the Difference on Your Resume

Giving a speech in front of people isn’t always everyone’s favorite task. However, having solid  workplace presentation skills  can serve you well in many different ways.

Of course, one of the most important reasons  being an accomplished presenter  can stand you in good stead is that it looks great on  your resume . Working information about your ability to give electrifying speeches always gives a positive impression.

We’re going to briefly look over some of the most  important reasons to hone your public speaking skills . As you’ll see these can be easily worked into your resume using a number of different methods.

How Do Presentation Skills Give You An Advantage in The Workplace?

There are lots of good reasons  why companies want and need good presenters . These essential team members can help to create a positive reaction and communicate the values of the business effectively.

This is not just practical for your employer but offers  many advantages for you as a candidate too . Generally speaking, learning how to be an accomplished presenter will help you in the following ways:

• You’ll find it easier to perform in interviews
• You’ll come across well when meeting clients
• You can communicate better with fellow employees
• You’ll be able to teach other staff on how to give presentations
• You can represent the company at conferences and events
• You’ll find it easier to respond to emergencies

Which Presentation Skills Have the Biggest Impact?

There are a number of abilities that a seasoned presenter can add to a resume’s  skills section . These will be gained from not only doing the task itself but also from doing the  work that goes into the preparation stages .

By knowing everything that goes into a good performance you can then  use examples  to show you’ve got the sorts of abilities a hiring manager is looking for. These might include:

• Organization
• Good people skills
• Timekeeping
• Expert Communication
• Flexibility
• Pre-preparation
• Visual data
• Improvisation
• Creating visuals and slides
• Preparing accompanying literature
• Working with an audience
• Ability to think quickly

How Can Presentation Skills Be Shown on My Resume?

A resume is a bit like a presentation itself, albeit expressed via the written word rather than the spoken form. It must be  structured effectively , be clear in its communication, and focused on its goals of getting you hired.

There a  few different sections  found on a resume that can allow you to show off your presentation ability.

Of course, your career history should be one of them. In the  work experience  segment of the resume, you can  highlight information such as :

• The size of audiences
• How many speeches you gave a year
• What level of technical knowledge you had to demonstrate
• How you made your talk effective

In addition to this and dropping in a few public speaking strengths in your skills section, you may consider adding another heading about any conferences or seminars where you have given  keynote addresses . This will help the recruiter gauge your level of expertise in presentations much more effectively.

Finally, if you’ve done any training that has helped make you an expert speaker, this should also find its way into your  education section . If you haven’t done  any courses in public speaking , don’t worry. As you’ll see below there are options available to upgrade your abilities.

How Can You Improve Your Presentation Skills?

If you want to start honing your presentation skills, a good place to start is  with a training course . This will be able to take you through all the key organizational and speaking considerations you’ll need when giving a speech.

Public speaking courses can be done at local education centers or online quite easily, allowing you to learn the ropes of this highly useful discipline.

However, if you don’t have the time or money to do a full coaching program, don’t worry. You can instead opt for a hands-on approach by volunteering for speaking opportunities in your current position or by getting some practice with interviews for new jobs. Like many abilities,  public speaking gets easier the more you do it .

Top Tips on Presenting Effectively

There are  so many ingredients  that go into a great presentation. Naturally not every speech is the same, but many of the same elements will come up. The main tips you should keep in mind before giving a speech are as follows:

• Keep your calm
• Be prepared
• Dress smart
• Measure the pace of your speech
• Show you care about the subject
• Engage with the whole audience
• Look and listen out for feedback
• Ask questions
• Stay flexible

Communication  is always a  highly prized skill in the workplace  and being an effective public speaker is a great way to demonstrate that. By making sure the details of your ability to give a mean presentation are present on your resume you’ll be able to put your skills to the test in your new better job.

Designing a resume with ResumeCoach  can take some of the time and effort out of creating a document that will showcase your public speaking skills. Our step-by-step resume building tools and easy to tweak templates are fully optimized so your professional profile can be submitted easily electronically and impress with their visuals.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

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Public Speaker Resume Samples

A Public Speaker is responsible for writing and delivering informative and engaging speeches for the live audience. Typical work activities that are seen listed on the Public Speaker Resume are – meeting the company managers to discuss the speech topics, conducting pre-speech research; outlining and writing speech scripts; rehearsing and perfecting speech delivery; driving to public auditoriums and conference centers; conducting sound and microphone checks; presenting speeches about the company and its products; interacting with members of the public, and attending post-speech meetings with company managers.

Requirements for this post include the following – prior work experience, excellent verbal communication skills; knowledge of presentation software and slide projection tools; good teaching and sales skills; audience assessment skills; excellent interpersonal skills; and the ability to travel extensively. A high school diploma or GED is commonly required.

• Resume Samples
• Media & Journalism
• Public Speaker

Public Speaker Resume

Summary : Seeks to work during college to pay for bills. To build public communication skills and provide top-notch customer service.

Skills : Public Speaking, Public Relations, Media Relations, Training & Development, Leadership Development.

Description :

• Transformed life experiences into activism at an early age and channeled struggles into a public speaking platform that has changed countless lives.
• Done the announcements in the morning for upcoming events, etc.
• Developed unique lessons for each location.
• Coordinated each visit with upper counsel and leaders of Ministry.
• Arranged travel, and managed budget.
• Directed staff in coordination of the event.
• Taught the Arabic language to students between the age of 6 and 12.

Summary : Senior I/S Risk Compliance Analyst with more than two decades of career experience in network and information technology. A seasoned and highly successful leader of technical and non-technical teams of varying sizes. Skilled in Consultation, Network, Training, and Project Implementation. Demonstrated successes in Project, Program, Team, Training, and Product Management.

Skills : Management Skills, Multitasking, Good Communication SKills.

•  Trained employees and volunteers in more than 100 organizations, including health care, manufacturing, trade.
• Conducted public workshops for 1,000+ attendees.
• Presented technical papers and keynote addresses at numerous professional conferences, corporate and government meetings.
• Advised and coached senior and middle management on critical personnel issues; leadership skills; etc.
• Educated and activated over 600 students about the global water crisis.
• Managed student leaders and school logistics to ensure presentations were properly planned, executed, and followed up with.
• Mentored students to create organizations and to develop and complete fundraisers.

Summary : A well-known and respected writer, speaker, communicator, and design and web specialist A proven leader, having lead remote and in-house teams through countless projects Strategic thinker and planner.

Skills : Educator, Counseling, Procedures, Organization Skills, Typing, Leadership Skills.

• Facilitated public speaking engagements.
• Answered 24-hour victims hotline, fill in for secretary.
• Was the secretary on the board of directors.
• Got involved in several outreach programs in the central valley.
• Participated in an international retreat where 3 different groups united to bring forth issues surrounding immigration.
• Invited to speak at various events.
• Trained community leaders in how to recognize suicide and self-injurious behavior in students.

Summary : Seeks to obtain a challenging and rewarding Public Speaker position in an area that capitalizes on and further enhances healthcare nutrition and physical fitness experience. Have an extensive background in the medical field from intake to clinical care supervision and management.

Skills : Administrative Clerical Supervisory And Management, Motivational Inspirational An Empowerment Speaking, Fitness Health, And Wellness Nutrition And Various Aspects Of Healthcare.

• Functioned as an outsourced writer and or speaker delegating services to Blogging social media article writing.
• Focused primarily in areas and roles of inspiring motivating inner healing health and wellness.
• Worked intermittently on a project entitled which focused on different aspects of beauty and what that entails.
• Elaborated on a different perspective of what defined beautifully.
• Worked with exotic animals children and teachers and parents.
• Taught thousands of young kids about animals across the world.
• Spoke to middle school students and high school students about sex education and teen pregnancy prevention.

Summary : Established a reputation for being client-focused, innovative, and groundbreaking in presenting complex information to congress and to diverse audiences. As a legislative and policy analyst, conduct studies, presentations and write reports for our clients--typically congressional committees.

Skills : Excellent Communication Skills, NLP Trainer, Bilingual, Leadership.

• Created workshops, seminars, conferences, classes on motivational themes.
• Responsible for social media programs.
• Organized local, foreign agenda, and travel plans.
• Performed in different countries to different kinds of audiences of all walks and ages.
• Created, and developed communication techniques.
• Clients reported permanent life positive changes.
• Gave lectures about morality, religions, social issues, and domestic violence.

Headline : Seeking to obtain a full-time position where may contribute to the educational background, internship experience, and technical skills.

Skills : Anger Management, Unfit to Stand Trial, Law Enforcement Testing.

• Spoke at these different organizations on different topics including user interface design, Dreamweaver, and ViewletBuilder.
• Flash User Group meetings at Macromedia on ViewletBuilder software.
• Society of Technical Writers meetings on ViewletBuilder software.
• Consulted with a wide variety of organizations to improve fundraising, donor retention, increase corporate sponsorships, donor prospects, and develop engaged and effective Boards of Directors.
• Trained organizations to launch more effective and cost-efficient events and programming to reach a broader audience.
• Guided groups in creating more effective working teams.
• Helped organizations create a clear mission and vision statements to best reflect the organization's purpose.

Summary : Over a quarter-century of competent leadership experience ranging from Frontline and Senior program management to Leading Executive Officer. Possess impeccable public, written, and interpersonal communications skills with proven success in moving organizations through rational and effective transformation to documented improvement.

Skills : Consulting, Teaching, German Language, Infomation Operations/Assurance.

• Helped to encourage about 2000 individual people to sponsor children.
• Have spoken on the behalf of the hungry people in the world to raise money for food.
• Prepared to teach those who are interested in learning about a rare disease all about its ups and downs.
• Established 150 meetings to raise awareness of worldwide missions and fund-raising.
• Successfully raised over $50,000 for the cause of worldwide missions.
• Presented in front of up to 6,000 people at once.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under stressful conditions while maintaining a sense of humor to see projects through to completion.

Summary : Seeks to integrate psychology skills and school counseling training to work with families as they face crises and challenges.

Skills : Writing, Development Editing, Copyediting, Copywriting, Content Writing, Team Leadership, Strategy Development, and Planning.

• Connected to various age groups allowing them to know that their future is limitless.
• Educated about the harmful effects of bullying and other societal issues.
• Shared personal experiences to relate and bring the reality of how decisions can change lives.
• Receptive to and supportive of team efforts to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Welcome new challenges, accept responsibility, enjoy working with people, value camaraderie, and benefit from a strong network of friends and colleagues.
• Experienced in general office business practices, answering customer inquiries, addressing problems, and maintaining confidentiality. 

Summary : Creates accurate and attractive designs maintaining brand identity with over ten years of experience in key design programs. Provides effective training in design, and communication in areas of both leadership and project management. Desires to be a part of a dynamic and fast-paced team environment.

Skills : Graphic Design, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Pre-press, Print Production, Photography, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Blogger, WordPress, HTML, Keyboarding.

• Spoke to various size groups about relevant topics to instruct, educate, and inspire.
• Connected to various age groups allowing them to know that their future is limitless
• Educated about the harmful effects of bullying and other societal issues
• Shared personal experiences to relate and bring the reality of how decisions can change lives
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and rapport-building skills, with the aptitude to effectively communicate with customers, coworkers, business associates, and management, maintaining a positive working environment.
• Proven ability to plan, organize, and manage fund-raising activities as well as work hand-in-hand with business owners, patrons, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under stressful conditions while maintaining a sense of humor to see projects through to completion, skillfully combining wit and perseverance in times of crisis.

Summary : Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Pre-Law, and eight years of experience in public speaking. Exceptional administrative, organizational, and planning skills. Highly relational networker with the ability to sell an idea with a passion. Proficient in Microsoft Office, and several social media platforms, including Facebook. Skilled with people and the ability to manage others by seeing things from their point of view. Experience in traveling both in the country and overseas self-motivated.

Skills : Public Relations, Public Speaking, Negotiation, Sales, Branding, Bilingual English, Organizational, Time Management.

• Assisted team leader in coordinating, logistics, and planning weekly events.
• Represented Culture Project brand by tabling and recruiting at events.
• Gave public presentations in middle school, high school, and college settings.
• Contributed to social media presence by composing status updates and uploading photos and graphics.
• Monitored metrics and data to assist in the accurate measurement of annual impact.
• Communicated and worked with community organizations and leaders; build relationships and make personal connections with clients, customers, and others.
• Negotiated fees; managed administrative costs, event budgets, and company finances.

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Public speaking: Resume Summary Phrases Examples

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18 Résumé Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out

By  Allison Pohle

Updated May 11, 2021 2:15 pm ET

• A résumé isn’t just a list of every job you’ve ever had. It should demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Mirror language used in the job posting so your résumé isn’t discarded by an applicant tracking system.
• Use a clean and simple format. 

Companies increasingly  rely on software  to sort through applicants, which is why it is essential to tailor your résumé to ensure it makes the cut. Applicant tracking systems sort, scan and rank applicants by looking for keywords in applications. Although these programs can save time and money for employers, about 60% said such tools cause them to miss some qualified candidates, according to a 2016 survey of 1,200 job seekers and managers by CareerArc, a human-resources technology company, and Future Workplace, a research firm. Here’s how to make your résumé stand out to robots and humans alike. 

1. Highlight your achievements in your résumé. 

A common mistake job seekers make is believing a résumé is a recap of your career, when in reality, it should convey what you have accomplished, says Christy Noel, a career expert and author of “Your Personal Career Coach.” 

“I always say, spend less of your real estate describing your job, and more time describing your results,” says Ms. Noel.  

2. Customize your résumé.

Read over the job posting, and think about the work experience you have had that is most directly relevant to the position you are pursuing. You can leave out some past jobs and internships if the experience you had wasn’t related. Whatever you do: Don’t submit a generic résumé to dozens of postings. “Even if you have the best experience, if your résumé isn’t speaking directly to the position in which you are applying, there is a strong chance you’ll never even get an interview,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.  

The same applies to your cover letter. It is your chance to provide more detail on how your experience will help you succeed in the job.  Read our cover letter guide  for how to write one that makes you stand out.

3. Decide how to format your résumé.

Most of the time, a chronological résumé will work well for communicating your past experience. But, in some cases, a functional or hybrid résumé might be more appropriate.  Read more about résumé formats here.

4. Make your contact information easy to find.

Include your name, phone number, email address, city and state. It may also be appropriate to include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. You want it to be easy for hiring managers to reach out.

In addition to making it easy to connect with you, it is important to your job search that you grow your network.  Read our networking guide  for tips on how to do so.

5. Consider adding a summary. 

Many résumé templates leave space for an objective statement, outlining career goals, but that approach is outdated, says Ms. Jennings. Instead, consider a carefully worded summary. The summary is often the first place a hiring manager will look, and gives you an opportunity to introduce your skills high up on the page. You can also work in relevant keywords from the job description. “Recruiters are looking for what you can bring to the table and what you’ve done, rather than you saying, ‘I’m seeking a position,’” Ms. Jennings says. 

6. Great résumés should stand out to skim readers.

Most recruiters spend just a few seconds skimming through a résumé—with an average in one study of  7.4 seconds.  

To have the best chance of making an impression, ensure your job titles, company names and dates of employment are easy to read. The sections of your résumé should be adequately spaced, too, says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. 

For additional ways to make a good impression on recruiters and headhunters, read  our guide on how to work with headhunters .

7. Make your résumé robot-friendly. 

Structure your résumé to meet the requirements of an applicant tracking system to give yourself the best chance of having it reach an actual human. Ms. Leavy-Detrick suggests the following:

• Optimize keywords.  Use the same words and language that are in the job description. For example, three different companies might describe the same role as “programmer,” “developer” or “software engineer.” 
• Use a straightforward format.  Avoid tables and text-based graphics, which might not get picked up by a scan of the résumé. Sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica are also best to ensure readability.
• Think about order.  When formatting each line item of work experience, list the company name first, followed by the job location (city, state), your job title, and your start and end dates. Some résumés can get lost if the dates are listed before the job title. 

8. Prioritize relevant keywords. 

Tailoring your skills to include language from the job posting is an important way to let both the applicant tracking system and, eventually, a hiring manager, see how your prior qualifications tie into the job requirements. But just because you have a résumé full of keywords doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get an interview. “The ATS isn’t there to help the job seeker, it is there to help the employer review your skills against their most important qualifications,” says Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. 

9. Craft compelling and concise bullet points.

The goal of a résumé is to list your accomplishments, rather than every duty you performed in the role. Résumé-writing experts recommend including no more than five bullet points per prior job listed. 

• Don’t focus on tasks.  Many job seekers describe what they did every day, such as answering phones or creating marketing materials, Ms. Watkins says. “Simply copying and pasting the job description doesn’t account for the things you did great, that you did above and beyond your peers,” she says.
• Instead, explain what those tasks achieved.  Emphasize your results. Ms. Watkins suggests asking yourself “Did I save [the employer] money? Did I save time? Did I improve a process? Did I build a relationship?” These will help you format your bullet points.
• Use metrics.  Say what you achieved, then contextualize it—with figures if possible. You might not be able to put a monetary value on every accomplishment, but you can frame it by sharing details like the time it took or how many people were involved. “If you raised sales 50% in two months, that means a whole lot more than ‘I’m in charge of sales,’” Ms. Watkins says. 
• Don’t omit accomplishments that aren’t quantifiable.  Not every achievement will have metrics to show success. If there are figures, you might not always have access to them. But that shouldn’t stop you from including them, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. Perhaps you had a positive impact on the culture of an organization, or improved a struggling relationship with a client. These efforts could help to demonstrate your  soft skills.

10. Focus on transferable skills if you lack experience.

If you are applying for a job in a new field or you are an entry-level applicant and don’t have much direct experience, don’t worry. Highlight transferable skills you have developed in the past that will serve you well in the position, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. For example, you could play up leadership skills you developed participating in an extracurricular activity or time-management skills you learned in a prior job.

11. Go beyond your work history, and include all relevant experience.

If you are new to the workforce, or are job-hunting after being laid off, you could also include related experience that was outside of a traditional full-time job, says Ms. Watkins. For example, you can highlight volunteer work, consulting projects or educational training, all as part of making the case for your unique value, she says.

12. Don’t worry too much about gaps in your résumé.

The Covid-19 pandemic economy resulted in many people being laid off or furloughed. Ms. Watkins says the 2020 job market reminds her of 2008, when she worked as a recruiter. The expectation at that time, she says, was that candidates would have  gaps  on their résumés or list more short-term positions. While it isn’t necessary to directly address the gaps in your résumé, you should be  prepared to talk about them in an interview . “The focus should not be centered on the fact that you were furloughed or laid off, it should be focused on you and your skills and what you do that impacts the company’s bottom line in a positive way,” Ms. Watkins says.

While it is common to list the months and years you started and ended positions in the job history section, you could just use years. This will draw less attention to a six- or eight-month gap, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

13. Highlight relevant skills.

It is common to  add a skills section to your résumé , outlining expertise relevant to the position. You can include languages you speak, technical skills or courses you have done. If you lack experience, you can also complete some trainings, which you can find on LinkedIn and elsewhere, related to the job you are applying for and add the courses in this section, says Ms. Jennings.

14. Prioritize work experience over education.

The professional experience you have had is often more relevant to the position than your education history, which is why the work experience should be listed first. In the “Education” section, you should list where you attended college, if applicable, or the highest level of education you have attained. If you graduated with honors, you can flag that, but it isn’t necessary to list your GPA.

15. If you are early on in your career, a key résumé tip is to limit it to one page. 

If you are early on in your career, you should limit your résumé to one page. It is OK to start spilling onto a second page after you have eight to 10 years of experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

16. Add some color for a stylish résumé that sets you apart. 

Your résumé should look clean and professional and you should keep applicant tracking systems in mind when formatting the document. But, if it is appropriate, you can add subtle accents of color in the section headings or in bars that separate sections as a way to differentiate your résumé. Ms. Leavy-Detrick doesn’t overstress the need for good design with her clients. “But it can definitely help,” she says. “When I say design, I don’t mean crazy graphic design. I mean having a polished application,” she says. “Think of it the same way you would coming dressed to an interview, it is part of your presentation, and so many people overlook this on the résumé.”

It may be appropriate to incorporate a more creative and graphic-based layout depending on the field in which you work and where you are applying. If you are applying for a position in a creative field, and you are emailing your résumé directly to a hiring manager, then it can be appropriate to use more designs, says Ms. Jennings. But if you are applying to a large company that uses an applicant tracking system or job portal, she says it is best to avoid using graphics unless you are working with a résumé writer who can help you get your resume through the system.

17. Proofread and double-check the formatting.

You may be eager to send your résumé or submit your application, but you should take the time to first check for typos and grammatical errors. You could also have a friend or family member look over it. When you are checking for errors, be sure to double-check the formatting. Sometimes the spacing can get thrown off when you save the file, so check how it looks as a saved document and, if you can, save it as a PDF before sending. 

18. Make sure the saved file name includes your name. 

Make less work for the hiring manager by including your full name in the file name of the résumé document.

What to read next

• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
• Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• How to Dress for a Job Interview
• How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview  
• How to Negotiate and Counter a Job Offer
• How to Negotiate Salary for a New Job: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Severance Pay: What It Is and Why You Should Negotiate a Package Before Accepting a Job

Corrections & Amplifications Ashley Watkins is a résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Write Steps LLC. (Corrected on Nov. 20)

Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the November 23, 2020, print edition as '11 Résumé Tips to Help You Get Noticed

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Who is poet Amanda Gorman? She spoke on Night 3 of the DNC.

Poet Amanda Gorman captivated the nation in 2021 when she performed the self-written poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

On Wednesday night, she returned to the political stage to perform a new poem, called "This Sacred Scene," at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A pale blue dress rippled behind Gorman as she took the stage, her braided hair in an up-do and loose strands dangling by her shoulders.

Audience members stared starry-eyed at Gorman, whose speech lasted only minute. She called for unity and empathy in Americans' collective pursuit of the so-called "American dream."

"Perhaps the American dream is no dream at all but instead a dare to dream together," she said. "A people who cannot stand together cannot stand at all."

Here's what to know about Gorman:

Who is Amanda Gorman?

Gorman, 26, is a poet, activist and writer from Los Angeles, California.

In 2017, Gorman was appointed as the first National Youth Poet Laureate. In that role, she worked with youth programs to encourage literacy and a love for literature in under-served communities, according to her biography on the National Youth Poet Laureate website .

She's also the founder and executive director of the organization One Pen One Page . The organization promotes literacy through creative writing for underserved youth.

In 2020, she graduated from Harvard University. The next year, Biden selected Gorman to read "The Hill We Climb" at his presidential inauguration.

She also wrote and performed a poem at the 2021 Super Bowl . She was the first person to do so.

When will Amanda Gorman speak at DNC tonight?

Gorman is the first speaker listed for the 9 p.m. hour. It's a primetime slot.

She will speak after U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and before Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland.

What will Amanda Gorman speak about?

Gorman will perform a new poem titled "This Sacred Scene."

"I was trying to sit a while with what the Democratic Convention means, and more specifically, more importantly, what it means for people to gather together around shared values and principles," Gorman said of her writing process in an interview with Vanity Fair . "I think there's something hallowed about that. I think there's something special and also old about that that digs to the roots of who we are as human beings. I wanted to speak to that importance of unity which, for me, transcends party."

The theme for the night is "Fight for our Freedoms," and speakers are expected to address the topics of reproductive health and abortion access. Other speakers include VP pick Tim Walz, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and former president Bill Clinton.

What else did Amanda Gorman write?

Fans can buy five texts penned by Gorman.

The text of her inaugural poem "The Hill We Climb" is available for purchase in a special, collectible gift edition with a foreword from Oprah Winfrey.

She included that poem in a collection of poems also called "The Hill We Climb," also available for purchase.

"Change Sings," is the first children's book Gorman wrote for her three-book deal with Viking Books for Young Readers. The text follows a young girl on a musical journey that reveals her power to make positive change in her community.

"Something, Someday," is Gorman's second children's book. It's a collaboration with illustrator Christian Robinson. The book is described as "the message of hope and ambition that our society so desperately needs. Change will happen, but will you be a part of it?"

Her latest release is "Call Us What We Carry," a poetry collection that "explores history, language, identity and erasure through an imaginative and intimate collage."

Members of the Kennedy family denounce RFK Jr.'s decision to endorse Trump

WASHINGTON — Multiple members of the Kennedy family denounced Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to endorse former President Donald Trump, calling the move a "betrayal."

"We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride," said a statement signed by five of the former independent presidential candidate's siblings.

"We believe in Harris and Walz," the statement continued. "Our brother Bobby's decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story."

The statement includes signatures from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.

Joe Kennedy III, a grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, reacted to the statement, sharing it on X and writing that it was "well said."

Separately, the former candidate's cousin Jack Schlossberg said that he has "never been less surprised in my life."

"Been saying it for over a year — RFKjr is for sale, works for Trump. Bedfellows and loving it," he posted to X. "Kamala Harris is for the people — the easiest decision of all time just got easier."

Schlossberg is the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy.

Many members of the Kennedy family have been publicly critical of the independent's presidential bid, instead vocalizing their support for first President Joe Biden and now Harris.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Friday that he would withdraw from the presidential race and back Trump. However, he said that he would only remove his name from the ballot in "about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler." He encouraged voters in states where he remains on the ballot to still support him.

"These are the principled causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump," he said during his Friday remarks. "The causes were: Free speech, the war in Ukraine, and the war on our children."

Harris campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said in a statement that the Harris campaign is for "any American out there who is tired of Donald Trump and looking for a new way forward."

"Even if we do not agree on every issue, Kamala Harris knows there is more that unites us than divides us: respect for our rights, public safety, protecting our freedoms, and opportunity for all," she said in a bid to attract Kennedy supporters.

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

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2024 Election

Robert f. kennedy suspends his independent presidential campaign and backs trump.

Stephen Fowler

RFK delivers address in Arizona today on his "path forward"

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces he's suspending his independent presidential campaign, during remarks in Phoenix Friday. Rebecca Noble/Getty Images hide caption

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is suspending his long-shot independent presidential candidacy. He announced Friday that he is seeking to remove his name from ballots in battleground states, and is instead asking supporters to back Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Kennedy — a scion of a famous American political family who is now known broadly as an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist — vowed to upend the two-party system but failed to gain the traction needed to compete in the race.

Speaking in Phoenix on Friday, Kennedy said in an “honest system” he believed he would win the election and railed against the media and the Democratic Party for perceived slights against his campaign.

Untangling Disinformation

Rfk jr. is building a presidential campaign around conspiracy theories.

“In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path of electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control,” he said.

Throughout the lengthy address, Kennedy constantly bemoaned what he called attacks on democracy — while backing a candidate in Trump who tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Kennedy said he and Trump have spoken in recent weeks, and said that while he disagrees with Trump on several issues, they agree on certain important things, like the war in Ukraine, alleged censorship and childhood safety.

He also indicated the two of them have discussed a possible role for Kennedy going forward.

“[P]harma executives and consultants and lobbyists cycle in and out of these [government regulatory] agencies,” Kennedy said. “With President Trump's backing I'm going to change that. We're going to staff these agencies with honest scientists and doctors who are free from industry funding, or make sure the decisions of consumers, doctors and patients are informed by unbiased science.”

Nicole Shanahan says she and RFK Jr. may drop out and endorse Trump

After Kennedy’s running mate signaled in recent days that they could end their campaign and back Trump, the former president told CNN that he would consider giving Kennedy a role in a potential second Trump administration if Kennedy dropped out and endorsed him.

In remarks in Nevada Friday, Trump thanked “Bobby” for the endorsement and called him “a great guy.”

Kennedy’s campaign has upset many members of his family. Five of his siblings wrote in a statement Friday that, “Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story.”

RFK saw diminishing support in recent months

Kennedy initially challenged President Biden in the Democratic primary before switching to an independent run , promising to deliver another choice for voters unhappy with what was then a rematch between Biden and Trump.

While his campaign launched with an ambitious plan to appeal to voters across the ideological spectrum, RFK leaned into conspiracies about America, the government and vaccines that appealed especially to a smaller swath of voters and those who do not normally cast a ballot.

In part due to his famous political name, Kennedy appeared poised to siphon votes from Democratic-leaning voters who soured on Biden’s age and perceived fitness for office, but Kennedy focused his efforts more toward communicating with the right.

Kennedy frequented right-wing podcasts and television shows, and unsuccessfully attempted to woo the Libertarian Party at their national convention. He saw a barrage of negative headlines overshadow his campaign, from allegations of sexual assault to eating a barbecued dog to a recent revelation he was responsible for dumping a bear cub in Central Park .

His campaign faced significant challenges obtaining access to state ballots, but it ran the most successful independent national ballot access effort in 30 years, navigating onerous state laws and fighting off well-funded legal challenges to submit more than a million signatures across 50 states. As of Friday, his campaign was on roughly 20 state ballots.

But those efforts did not translate to much electoral support, especially after Vice President Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee.

Kennedy dropped from a high of around 15% to the low single digits in national election polls. In the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, conducted earlier this month , he enjoyed 5% support.

The latest financial disclosures showed signs of Kennedy’s struggles, too, with the campaign ending July with $3.9 million cash on hand, $3.4 million in debt and a nearly $1 million refund to his running mate Nicole Shanahan, a wealthy California attorney who poured in $15 million of her own money to help with ballot access measures.

What happens next?

So what happens next in places where Kennedy is already on the ballot, and what impact does his endorsement of Trump potentially have on the outcome in November? It depends.

Each state has its own deadlines for finalizing the slate of candidates and preparing ballots for voters, and differing rules for removing those names.

Kennedy withdrew his name from the Arizona ballot Thursday, for example, and a Pennsylvania filing obtained Friday seeks to remove him from that state's ballot. But he reportedly missed Nevada’s Aug. 20 deadline to back out there — though Nevada is one of several states where legal challenges to his candidacy are still pending.

Many recent polls show Kennedy drawing slightly more support away from Trump than Harris, so Kennedy might have an incentive to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states to avoid playing a spoiler for his newly endorsed ally.

In a campaign memo Friday, Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio pointed to survey results and wrote, “This is good news for President Trump and his campaign – plain and simple.”

Democrats disagree, with a party memo sent Friday morning arguing that his candidacy was a “a tool to mislead voters and hurt Democrats, and RFK Jr.’s exit is an admission their gambit failed.”

Kennedy spent most of his life as a Democrat and still has certain political views that align more with the party, especially around climate change and environmental activism, that could prevent some supporters from switching to Trump.

Supporters who backed RFK Jr.’s campaign because they wanted an option other than the Democratic and Republican parties could switch to another independent campaign. Others, who told NPR that Kennedy was the only candidate they would vote for, could also sit out this election.