It doesn’t matter what industry you work in—communication is always high on the list of valuable skills. You won’t find a resume without it. But, for many people, public speaking and presentations are the most disliked aspects of their jobs.
In this article, we look at how Microsoft PowerPoint skills can benefit career opportunities by helping you to create clear and compelling presentations that make you feel more confident. By becoming proficient at MS PowerPoint, you can deliver your message more convincingly and with greater impact using visual aids to engage your audience and bring the story to life. We also look at the other benefits of PowerPoint presentation skills for both employees and employers.
Why Presentation Skills Matter in Today’s Job Market
While creating engaging presentations has plenty of benefits for individuals, let’s first look at why presentation skills are important to employers in today’s job market.
In this era of AI, human skills, sometimes known as ‘soft skills’, are still crucially important to boosting organisational growth. A recent LinkedIn Learning study found that interpersonal and presentation skills saw the highest growth rates which helped to further this organisational growth. This means that for organisations, the benefits of people who can give professional presentations are extremely powerful and their skills are in high demand.
Why do companies love employees with great presentation skills?
Good presentation skills improve collaboration and teamwork, leading to better organisational outcomes. They can also enhance customer relationships, and leaders who create professional presentations motivate and inspire others.
In the business world, employees who can present their ideas effectively are more productive, efficient and persuasive, and they help to drive growth by tailoring their pitches to build strategic partnerships.
How will mastering Microsoft PowerPoint make you a better presenter of ideas?
Studies show that when presentations have visual appeal, they keep the audience’s attention for longer. Visually appealing presentations are also more memorable, so your ideas and insights will remain with your audience long after the presentation has finished.
Eye-catching PowerPoint presentations also keep the audience engaged because they allow you to have more control over the structure and flow, ensuring your message is delivered clearly and concisely.
7 Career Benefits of PowerPoint Proficiency
Now let’s look at how fine-tuning your PowerPoint presentation skills can help your career.
1. Stand Out in Job Applications
PowerPoint is used across various industries and roles, from business presentations to teaching roles, so demonstrating proficiency can make you a more competitive candidate for your dream job.
While PowerPoint is a versatile presentation tool, you don’t need a lot of technical skills to become proficient at the Microsoft Office Suite. When learning PowerPoint could help you land that new job or promotion at work, why wouldn’t you take the time to brush up on your skills and apply them in a professional setting?
2. Boost Your Confidence in Public Speaking
It has been suggested that around 75% of people feel anxious or uncomfortable speaking in front of others.
Effective PowerPoint presentations can boost your confidence during public speaking events because you already have a well-structured message.
This can allow you to focus on other parts of your delivery, such as timing and body language.
3. Improve Collaboration and Team Communication
Collaboration builds stronger relationships. By working closely with others, you can share perspectives, ideas and skills that will lead to innovative solutions and increase productivity.
PowerPoint has features such as real-time collaboration, file sharing, and communication tools that can help you and your team members put their heads together for better outcomes.
4. Take on Leadership or Training Roles
It’s no secret that people with great communication skills are more likely to be promoted because they are seen as natural leaders.
PowerPoint presentation software can help you showcase your thoughts and perspectives and advance your career by being seen as a professional, effective communicator.
5. Streamline Project Reporting and Updates
PowerPoint templates give you an efficient way to communicate even the most complex ideas clearly and concisely.
By creating presentations with charts, graphics, sound effects, and background music, you can keep your audience engaged and make your message easier to understand.
6. Support Data-Driven Decision Making
Presenting data in a format that’s compelling for those not directly involved in the data-gathering process is key to pitching ideas and formulating a persuasive argument.
By using PowerPoint slides to help people visualise data with charts, graphs, and other PowerPoint add-ins, you can make complex information more accessible.
7. Prepare Professional-Looking Client Pitches
Mastering PowerPoint can help you convey your message to potential investors and clients with professional-looking presentations that leave a lasting impression.
A polished presentation demonstrates a professional image and shows that you understand the importance of paying attention to even the smallest of details.
Real-World Examples: PowerPoint in Action
Whether you’re an education consultant, a marketing professional, or a project manager, PowerPoint is an essential tool for professional growth.
PowerPoint’s potential isn’t limited to sharing presentations with powerful visuals, it can be used in a variety of professional settings for many different purposes. Sales reps can use PowerPoint for product demos, human resources professionals can use it for training, account managers can use it to communicate with clients, creatives can use it to create digital portfolios, and executives can use it to present reports. From complex network diagrams to infographics, video editing, and eBooks, many industries can find value in this powerful tool.
PowerPoint as a Transferable Skill Across Industries
Whether you use PowerPoint for a high-stakes presentation to a board or for an informal team meeting, the power of your presentation skills directly impacts your company’s results. This makes individuals who can use this software a valuable asset.
From basic knowledge through to using its advanced features, if you can show potential employers you understand the power and potential of PowerPoint, it shows them that you take communication seriously.
How to Improve Your PowerPoint Skills
You don’t have to enrol in a PowerPoint BootCamp to learn the basic features of this effective communication tool, but if you want to get the most out of the program and flex your knowledge to potential and current employers, it’s a great idea to seek out further training.
The best way to improve your communication and presentation skills is to enrol in an online PowerPoint course with Priority Management. We’ll show you how to use a variety of media to enhance the look and feel of your presentations and give you a professional edge. Visit our website for more details or call us on 1300 139 126 to start your learning journey today!
Start Leveraging PowerPoint to Advance Your Career
Whether you start learning PowerPoint to use in your client meetings or you’re out to land that job you’ve always wanted, it will help you improve your presentation skills for your benefit and that of your employer. So, get practising and don’t forget to update your resume with your newly acquired visual communication skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will learning how to use PowerPoint help you in your career?
PowerPoint can make you a more confident presenter because your message is concise and your audience is engaged. We’ve listed more ways it can help you in the article above.
How is PowerPoint useful in the workplace?
PowerPoint can be used for a wide range of tasks beyond presentations, including editing videos, animating, creating infographics and interactive quizzes, for digital storytelling, project planning, and even to build resumes and digital portfolios.