How To Use PowerPoint to Get A Job

The job search is never easy, especially in this economy. While our country is steadily improving in terms of new jobs increasing and unemployment decreasing, if you’re actually one of the people out there trying to find a job, it can be frustrating for you. An increase in the number of new jobs doesn’t mean that there’s actually more jobs in a given field, and if that applies to you, it can seem like your job hunt is going nowhere. Here are some ways that PowerPoint can help you land a job.Powerpoint-job

First, try putting a form of your resume together as a PowerPoint presentation. While that piece of paper is what’s going to get you in the front door, having a PowerPoint presentation is going to set you apart from the crowd. You can include photos of your prior job experience and accomplishments. This is a great bonus if you work in a field where there is visual proof of your completed projects.

However, if you’re working in an environment where success is measured on paper instead of with visual proof, then here is where you have to get a little creative. Photos of you leading meetings, or working with a team, show different job skills that will make you a great candidate. If you’ve earned material bonuses from a prior job, such as a watch or a plaque, photos of those will show that your prior employers believed that you have value.

You can present a PowerPoint slide showing different facets of prior responsibilities. A two column slide showing your responsibilities when you began with an employer, versus your responsibilities when you left, can give a very clear demonstration of how you received promotions and increases in job duties.

You could use a slide to create a timeline of events, such as the time you spent in school, with summer internships, or a project that you planned and implemented, from start to finish. A timeline is a great way to show potential employers that you’re focused, and understand the need for finishing items on a deadline.

Putting parts of your resume into a PowerPoint presentation serves another purpose: it shows a potential employer that you’re proficient in PowerPoint! It also shows creativity, and an ability to think outside the box. In today’s competitive job market, this is a pretty important distinction for you to make, and it could set you apart from other candidates. If you’re delivering your resume via email or CD, it’s simple to attach the PowerPoint presentation.

Additionally, if you are job hunting, having a good knowledge of PowerPoint could help you score a temporary job to help you pay the bills while you’re looking. There are several listings on freelance sites such as oDesk, looking for people who are proficient in PowerPoint. While these are mostly for one time projects that won’t lead to a permanent position, they are definitely jobs that you can add to your resume, and a little bit of extra money coming in while you’re looking for something permanent is always a good thing!

All in all, showing your proficiency in a multitude of skills is always going to improve your chances for landing the perfect job, and PowerPoint is no exception.