how to prepare slide for presentation

That said, you can still use fun and eccentric fonts — in moderation. Offsetting a fun font or large letters with something more professional can create an engaging presentation.

Above all, be sure you're consistent so your presentation looks the same throughout each slide. That way, your audience doesn't become distracted by too many disparate fonts. Check out this example from HubSpot’s company profile templates:

Interested in this presentation template? Download it for free here.

5. Make sure all of your objects are properly aligned.

Having properly aligned objects on your slide is the key to making it look polished and professional. You can manually try to line up your images ... but we all know how that typically works out. You're trying to make sure all of your objects hang out in the middle of your slide, but when you drag them there, it still doesn't look quite right. Get rid of your guessing game and let PowerPoint work its magic with this trick.

Here’s how to align multiple objects:

• Select all objects by holding down Shift and clicking on all of them.
• Select Arrange in the top options bar, then choose Align or Distribute .
• Choose the type of alignment you'd like.

Here’s how to align objects to the slide:

• Select Align to Slide .
• Select Arrange in the top options bar again, then choose Align or Distribute .

6. Use "Format Object" to better control your objects' designs.

Format menus allow you to do fine adjustments that otherwise seem impossible. To do this, right-click on an object and select the Format Object option. Here, you can fine-tune shadows, adjust shape measurements, create reflections, and much more. The menu that will pop up looks like this:

Although the main options can be found on PowerPoint’s format toolbars, look for complete control in the format window menu. Other examples of options available include:

• Adjusting text inside a shape.
• Creating a natural perspective shadow behind an object.
• Recoloring photos manually and with automatic options.

7. Take advantage of PowerPoint's shapes.

Many users don’t realize how flexible PowerPoint’s shape tools have become. In combination with the expanded format options released by Microsoft, the potential for good design with shapes is readily available. PowerPoint provides the user with a bunch of great shape options beyond the traditional rectangle, oval, and rounded rectangle patterns.

Today’s shapes include a highly functional Smart Shapes function, which enables you to create diagrams and flow charts in no time. These tools are especially valuable when you consider that PowerPoint is a visual medium. Paragraphing and bullet lists are boring — you can use shapes to help express your message more clearly.

8. Create custom shapes.

When you create a shape, right click and press Edit Points . By editing points, you can create custom shapes that fit your specific need. For instance, you can reshape arrows to fit the dimensions you like.

Another option is to combine two shapes together. To do so, select the two shapes you’d like to work with, then click Shape Format in the top ribbon. Tap Merge Shapes .

You’ll see a variety of options.

• Combine creates a custom shape that has overlapping portions of the two previous shapes cut out.
• Union makes one completely merged shape.
• Intersect builds a shape of only the overlapping sections of the two previous shapes.
• Subtract cuts out the overlapping portion of one shape from the other.
• Fragment will split your shape into different parts depending on where they overlap.

By using these tools rather than trying to edit points precisely, you can create accurately measured custom shapes.

9. Crop images into custom shapes.

Besides creating custom shapes in your presentation, you can also use PowerPoint to crop existing images into new shapes. Here's how you do that:

• Click on the image and select Picture Format in the options bar.
• Choose Crop , then Crop to Shape , and then choose your desired shape. Ta-da! Custom-shaped photos.

10. Present websites within PowerPoint.

Tradition says that if you want to show a website in a PowerPoint, you should just create a link to the page and prompt a browser to open. For PC users, there’s a better option.

Third party software that integrates fully into PowerPoint’s developer tab can be used to embed a website directly into your PowerPoint using a normal HTML iframe. One of the best tools is LiveWeb , a third-party software that you can install on your PowerPoint program.

By using LiveWeb, you don’t have to interrupt your PowerPoint, and your presentation will remain fluid and natural. Whether you embed a whole webpage or just a YouTube video, this can be a high-quality third party improvement. To install the add-on, simple head to the LiveWeb website and follow the instructions.

Unfortunately, Mac users don’t have a similar option. A good second choice is to take screenshots of the website, link in through a browser, or embed media (such as a YouTube video) by downloading it directly to your computer.

11. Try Using GIFs.

GIFs are looped animated images used to communicate a mood, idea, information, and much more. Users add GIFs to PowerPoints to be funny or quickly demo a process. It's easy to add GIFs to your slides. To do so, simply follow these steps:

• Download and save the GIF you want.
• Go to the slide you want the GIF on.
• Go to the Home tab, and click either Insert or Picture .
• From the Picture drop-down menu, choose Picture from File .
• Navigate to where you saved your GIF and select it. Then, choose Insert .
• It will play automatically the moment you insert it.

PowerPoint Process

12. keep it simple..

PowerPoint is an excellent tool to support your presentation with visual information, graphics, and supplemental points. This means that your PowerPoint should not be your entire presentation. Your slides — no matter how creative and beautiful — shouldn't be the star of the show. Keep your text and images clear and concise, using them only to supplement your message and authority.

If your slides have dense and cluttered information, it will both distract your audience and make it much more likely that you will lose their attention. Nothing in your slides should be superfluous! Keep your presentation persuasive by keeping it clean. There are a few ways to do this:

• Limit bullet points and text.
• Avoid paragraphs and long quotes.
• Maintain "white space" or "negative space".
• Keep percentages, graphs, and data super basic.

13. Embed your font files.

One constant problem presenters have with PowerPoint is that fonts seem to change when presenters move from one computer to another. In reality, the fonts are not changing — the presentation computer just doesn’t have the same font files installed . If you’re using a PC and presenting on a PC, then there is a smooth workaround for this issue.

Here’s the trick: When you save your PowerPoint file (only on a PC), you should click File , then Options, then open up the Save tab. Then, select the Embed fonts in the file check box under Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation . Now, your presentation will keep the font file and your fonts will not change when you move computers.

The macOS PowerPoint version has a similar function. To embed your fonts on a Mac, do the following:

• Open up your presentation.
• On the top bar, click PowerPoint , then click Preferences .
• Under Output and Sharing , click Save .
• Under Font Embedding , click Embed fonts in the file.

14. Save your slides as a PDF file for backup purposes.

If you’re still scared of your presentation showing up differently when it’s time to present, you should create a PDF version just in case. This is a good option if you’ll be presenting on a different computer. If you also run into an issue where the presenting computer doesn’t have PowerPoint installed, you can also use the system viewer to open up the PDF. No laptop will ever give you trouble with this file type.

The only caveat is that your GIFs, animations, and transitions won’t transfer over. But since the PDF will only work as a backup, not as your primary copy, this should be okay.

To save your presentation as a PDF file, take the following steps:

• Go to File , then click Save as …
• In the pop-up window, click File Format.
• A drop-down menu will appear. Select PDF .
• Click Export .

You can also go to File , then Export , then select PDF from the file format menu.

15. Embed multimedia.

PowerPoint allows you to either link to video/audio files externally or to embed the media directly in your presentation. You should embed these files if you can, but if you use a Mac, you cannot actually embed the video (see note below). For PCs, two great reasons for embedding are:

• Embedding allows you to play media directly in your presentation. It will look much more professional than switching between windows.
• Embedding also means that the file stays within the PowerPoint presentation, so it should play normally without extra work (except on a Mac).

Note: macOS users of PowerPoint should be extra careful about using multimedia files.

If you use PowerPoint for Mac, then you will always need to bring the video and/or audio file with you in the same folder as the PowerPoint presentation. It’s best to only insert video or audio files once the presentation and the containing folder have been saved on a portable drive in their permanent folder. Also, if the presentation will be played on a Windows computer, then Mac users need to make sure their multimedia files are in WMV format. This tip gets a bit complicated, so if you want to use PowerPoint effectively, consider using the same operating system for designing and presenting, no matter what.

16. Bring your own hardware.

Between operating systems, PowerPoint is still a bit jumpy. Even between differing PPT versions, things can change. One way to fix these problems is to make sure that you have the right hardware — so just bring along your own laptop when you're presenting.

If you’re super concerned about the different systems you might have to use, then upload your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides as a backup option. Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation software that will show up the same way on all operating systems. The only thing you need is an internet connection and a browser.

To import your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides, take the following steps:

• Navigate to slides.google.com . Make sure you’re signed in to a Google account, preferably your own.
• Under Start a new presentation , click the empty box with a plus sign. This will open up a blank presentation.
• Go to File , then Import slides .
• A dialog box will come up. Tap Upload , then click Select a file from your device .
• Select your presentation and click Open .
• Select the slides you’d like to import. If you want to import all of them, click All in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.
• Click Import slides.

When I tested this out, Google Slides imported everything perfectly, including a shape whose points I had manipulated. This is a good backup option to have if you’ll be presenting across different operating systems.

17. Use Presenter View.

In most presentation situations, there will be both a presenter’s screen and the main projected display for your presentation. PowerPoint has a great tool called Presenter View, which can be found in the Slide Show tab of PowerPoint. Included in the Presenter View is an area for notes, a timer/clock, and a presentation display.

For many presenters, this tool can help unify their spoken presentation and their visual aid. You never want to make the PowerPoint seem like a stack of notes that you’re reading off of. Use the Presenter View option to help create a more natural presentation.

Pro Tip: At the start of the presentation, you should also hit CTRL + H to make the cursor disappear. Hitting the "A" key will bring it back if you need it!

Your Next Great PowerPoint Presentation Starts Here

With style, design, and presentation processes under your belt, you can do a lot more with PowerPoint than just presentations for your clients. PowerPoint and similar slide applications are flexible tools that should not be forgotten. With a great template, you can be on your way to creating presentations that wow your audience.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in September 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How to Write an Ecommerce Business Plan [Examples & Template]

How to Create an Infographic in Under an Hour — the 2024 Guide [+ Free Templates]

20 Great Examples of PowerPoint Presentation Design [+ Templates]

Get Buyers to Do What You Want: The Power of Temptation Bundling in Sales

How to Create an Engaging 5-Minute Presentation

How to Start a Presentation [+ Examples]

120 Presentation Topic Ideas Help You Hook Your Audience

How to Create the Best PowerPoint Presentations [Examples & Templates]

The Presenter's Guide to Nailing Your Next PowerPoint

How to Create a Stunning Presentation Cover Page [+ Examples]

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Presentation Software
• PowerPoint Presentations

6 Simple Parts for Beginners to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: December 19, 2022 Fact Checked

Creating a New PowerPoint

Creating the title slide, adding a new slide, adding content to slides, adding transitions, testing and saving your presentation.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA . Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,321,262 times. Learn more...

Do you want to have your data in a slide show? If you have Microsoft 365, you can use PowerPoint! PowerPoint is a program that's part of the Microsoft Office suite (which you have to pay for) and is available for both Windows and Mac computers. This wikiHow teaches you how to create your own Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on a computer.

Things You Should Know

• Templates make it easy to create vibrant presentations no matter your skill level.
• When adding photos, you can adjust their sizes by clicking and dragging in or out from their corners.
• You can add animated transitions between slides or to individual elements like bullet points and blocks of text.

• If you don't have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, you can use the website instead of the desktop app. Go to https://powerpoint.office.com/ to use the website version.
• You can also use the mobile app to make presentations, though it's easier to do this on a computer, which has a larger screen, a mouse, and a keyboard.

• If you don't want to use a template, just click the Blank option in the upper-left side of the page and skip to the next part.

• Skip this step if your selected template has no themes available.

• If you're creating a PowerPoint presentation for which an elaborate title slide has been requested, ignore this step.

• You can change the font and size of text used from the Home tab that's in the orange ribbon at the top of the window.

• You can also just leave this box blank if you like.

• You can also click and drag in or out one of a text box's corners to shrink or enlarge the text box.

• On a Mac, you'll click the Home tab instead. [1] X Research source

• Clicking the white slide-shaped box above this option will result in a new text slide being inserted.

• Title Slide
• Title and Content
• Section Header
• Two Content
• Content with Caption
• Picture with Caption

• Naturally, the title slide should be the first slide in your presentation, meaning that it should be the top slide in the left-hand column.

• Skip this step and the next two steps if your selected slide uses a template that doesn't have text boxes in it.

• Text boxes in PowerPoint will automatically format the bulk of your text for you (e.g., adding bullet points) based on the context of the content itself.
• You can add notes that the Presentation will not include (but you'll still be able to see them on your screen) by clicking Notes at the bottom of the slide.

• You can change the font of the selected text by clicking the current font's name and then clicking your preferred font.
• If you want to change the size of the text, click the numbered drop-down box and then click a larger or smaller number based on whether you want to enlarge or shrink the text.
• You can also change the color, bolding, italicization, underlining, and so on from here.

• Photos in particular can be enlarged or shrunk by clicking and dragging out or in one of their corners.

• Remember to keep slides uncluttered and relatively free of distractions. It's best to keep the amount of text per slide to around 33 words or less. [2] X Research source

• Slide content will animate in the order in which you assign transitions. For example, if you animate a photo on the slide and then animate the title, the photo will appear before the title.
• Make your slideshow progress automatically by setting the speed of every transition to align with your speech as well as setting each slide to Advance . [3] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source

• If you need to exit the presentation, press Esc .

• Windows - Click File , click Save , double-click This PC , select a save location, enter a name for your presentation, and click Save .
• Mac - Click File , click Save As... , enter the presentation's name in the "Save As" field, select a save location by clicking the "Where" box and clicking a folder, and click Save .

Community Q&A

• If you save your PowerPoint presentation in .pps format instead of the default .ppt format, double-clicking your PowerPoint presentation file will prompt the presentation to open directly into the slideshow view. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
• If you don't have Microsoft Office, you can still use Apple's Keynote program or Google Slides to create a PowerPoint presentation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Your PowerPoint presentation (or some features in it) may not open in significantly older versions of PowerPoint. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• Great PowerPoint presentations avoid placing too much text on one slide. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=DBDCE00C929AA5D8!252&ithint=file%2cpptx&app=PowerPoint&authkey=!AH4O9NxcbehqzIg
• ↑ https://www.virtualsalt.com/powerpoint.htm
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-the-timing-and-speed-of-a-transition-c3c3c66f-4cca-4821-b8b9-7de0f3f6ead1#:~:text=To%20make%20the%20slide%20advance,effect%20on%20the%20slide%20finishes .

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Artis Holland

Sep 22, 2016

Is this article up to date?

Oct 18, 2016

Jul 23, 2016

Margery Niyi

Sep 25, 2017

Jul 21, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

• Create a presentation Article
• Save Article
• Design Article
• Share and collaborate Article
• Give a presentation Article
• Set up your mobile apps Article
• Learn more Article

Create a presentation

Create a presentation in PowerPoint

Create presentations from scratch or start with a professionally designed, fully customizable template from Microsoft Create .

Open PowerPoint.

In the left pane, select New .

Select an option:

To create a presentation from scratch, select Blank Presentation .

To use a prepared design, select one of the templates.

To see tips for using PowerPoint, select Take a Tour , and then select Create , .

Add a slide

In the thumbnails on the left pane, select the slide you want your new slide to follow.

In the  Home tab, in the  Slides  section, select  New Slide .

In the Slides section, select Layout , and then select the layout you want from the menu.

Add and format text

Place the cursor inside a text box, and then type something.

Select the text, and then select one or more options from the Font section of the Home tab, such as  Font , Increase Font Size , Decrease Font Size ,  Bold , Italic , Underline , etc.

To create bulleted or numbered lists, select the text, and then select Bullets or Numbering .

Add a picture, shape, and more

Go to the  Insert  tab.

To add a picture:

In the Images section, select Pictures .

In the Insert Picture From menu, select the source you want.

Browse for the picture you want, select it, and then select Insert .

To add illustrations:

In the Illustrations section, select Shapes , Icons , 3D Models ,  SmartArt , or Chart .

In the dialog box that opens when you click one of the illustration types, select the item you want and follow the prompts to insert it.

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Online support

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

Partner Center

Cloud Storage

Custom Business Email

Video and voice conferencing

Shared Calendars

Word Processing

Spreadsheets

Presentation Builder

Survey builder

Google Workspace

An integrated suit of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps powered by Google AI.

Tell impactful stories, with Google Slides

Create, present, and collaborate on online presentations in real-time and from any device.

• For my personal use
• For work or my business

Jeffery Clark

T h i s   c h a r t   h e l p s   b r i d g i n g   t h e   s t o r y !

E s t i m a t e d   b u d g e t

Make beautiful presentations, together

Stay in sync in your slides, with easy sharing and real-time editing. Use comments and assign action items to build your ideas together.

Present slideshows with confidence

With easy-to-use presenter view, speaker notes, and live captions, Slides makes presenting your ideas a breeze. You can even present to Google Meet video calls directly from Slides.

Seamlessly connect to your other Google apps

Slides is thoughtfully connected to other Google apps you love, saving you time. Embed charts from Google Sheets or reply to comments directly from Gmail. You can even search the web and Google Drive for relevant content and images directly from Slides.

Extend collaboration and intelligence to PowerPoint files

Easily edit Microsoft PowerPoint presentations online without converting them, and layer on Slides’ enhanced collaborative and assistive features like comments, action items, and Smart Compose.

Work on fresh content

With Slides, everyone’s working on the latest version of a presentation. And with edits automatically saved in version history, it’s easy to track or undo changes.

Make slides faster, with built-in intelligence

Assistive features like Smart Compose and autocorrect help you build slides faster with fewer errors.

Stay productive, even offline

You can access, create, and edit Slides even without an internet connection, helping you stay productive from anywhere.

Security, compliance, and privacy

Secure by default

We use industry-leading security measures to keep your data safe, including advanced malware protections. Slides is also cloud-native, eliminating the need for local files and minimizing risk to your devices.

Encryption in transit and at rest

All files uploaded to Google Drive or created in Slides are encrypted in transit and at rest.

Compliance to support regulatory requirements

Our products, including Slides, regularly undergo independent verification of their security, privacy, and compliance controls .

Private by design

Slides adheres to the same robust privacy commitments and data protections as the rest of Google Cloud’s enterprise services .

You control your data.

We never use your slides content for ad purposes., we never sell your personal information to third parties., find the plan that’s right for you, google slides is a part of google workspace.

Every plan includes

Collaborate from anywhere, on any device

Access, create, and edit your presentations wherever you are — from any mobile device, tablet, or computer — even when offline.

Get a head start with templates

Choose from a variety of presentations, reports, and other professionally-designed templates to kick things off quickly..

Photo Album

Book Report

Visit the Slides Template Gallery for more.

Ready to get started?

Improve your practice.

Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses.

How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

• Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
• How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
• How much interaction you want from the audience
• Any time constraints there are for your talk
• What setting you are in
• Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

• What is your presentation’s aim?
• Who are the audience?
• What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

• Introduce your general topic
• Explain your topic area
• State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
• State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
• Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
• Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

• The length of the talk.
• Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
• If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

• Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
• Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
• Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
• Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

• Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
• Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
• Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
• Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
• Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

• Explain why the product is valuable.
• Describe why the product is necessary.
• Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
• Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
• Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

• Briefly frame the issue.
• Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
• Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
• Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

• Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

• Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
• Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
• After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

• Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
• First, let’s begin with…
• I will first cover…
• My first point covers…
• To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

• In the same way…
• Likewise…
• Equally…
• This is similar to…
• Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

• What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
• What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
• How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
• What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

• An intro slide outlining your ideas
• A  summary slide  with core points to remember
• High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

• Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
• A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
• Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
• Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

• 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
• 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

• Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
• Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
• Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
• The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

Top searches

Trending searches

49 templates

18 templates

40 templates

american football

16 templates

41 templates

tropical rainforest

29 templates

Create your presentation

Writing tone, number of slides.

AI presentation maker

When lack of inspiration or time constraints are something you’re worried about, it’s a good idea to seek help. Slidesgo comes to the rescue with its latest functionality—the AI presentation maker! With a few clicks, you’ll have wonderful slideshows that suit your own needs . And it’s totally free!

Generate presentations in minutes

We humans make the world move, but we need to sleep, rest and so on. What if there were someone available 24/7 for you? It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and ask the AI presentation maker to give you a hand. The possibilities are endless : you choose the topic, the tone and the style, and the AI will do the rest. Now we’re talking!

Customize your AI-generated presentation online

Alright, your robotic pal has generated a presentation for you. But, for the time being, AIs can’t read minds, so it’s likely that you’ll want to modify the slides. Please do! We didn’t forget about those time constraints you’re facing, so thanks to the editing tools provided by one of our sister projects —shoutouts to Wepik — you can make changes on the fly without resorting to other programs or software. Add text, choose your own colors, rearrange elements, it’s up to you! Oh, and since we are a big family, you’ll be able to access many resources from big names, that is, Freepik and Flaticon . That means having a lot of images and icons at your disposal!

How does it work?

Think of your topic.

First things first, you’ll be talking about something in particular, right? A business meeting, a new medical breakthrough, the weather, your favorite songs, a basketball game, a pink elephant you saw last Sunday—you name it. Just type it out and let the AI know what the topic is.

Choose your preferred style and tone

They say that variety is the spice of life. That’s why we let you choose between different design styles, including doodle, simple, abstract, geometric, and elegant . What about the tone? Several of them: fun, creative, casual, professional, and formal. Each one will give you something unique, so which way of impressing your audience will it be this time? Mix and match!

Make any desired changes

You’ve got freshly generated slides. Oh, you wish they were in a different color? That text box would look better if it were placed on the right side? Run the online editor and use the tools to have the slides exactly your way.

Download the final result for free

Yes, just as envisioned those slides deserve to be on your storage device at once! You can export the presentation in .pdf format and download it for free . Can’t wait to show it to your best friend because you think they will love it? Generate a shareable link!

What is an AI-generated presentation?

It’s exactly “what it says on the cover”. AIs, or artificial intelligences, are in constant evolution, and they are now able to generate presentations in a short time, based on inputs from the user. This technology allows you to get a satisfactory presentation much faster by doing a big chunk of the work.

Can I customize the presentation generated by the AI?

Of course! That’s the point! Slidesgo is all for customization since day one, so you’ll be able to make any changes to presentations generated by the AI. We humans are irreplaceable, after all! Thanks to the online editor, you can do whatever modifications you may need, without having to install any software. Colors, text, images, icons, placement, the final decision concerning all of the elements is up to you.

Can I add my own images?

Absolutely. That’s a basic function, and we made sure to have it available. Would it make sense to have a portfolio template generated by an AI without a single picture of your own work? In any case, we also offer the possibility of asking the AI to generate images for you via prompts. Additionally, you can also check out the integrated gallery of images from Freepik and use them. If making an impression is your goal, you’ll have an easy time!

Is this new functionality free? As in “free of charge”? Do you mean it?

Yes, it is, and we mean it. We even asked our buddies at Wepik, who are the ones hosting this AI presentation maker, and they told us “yup, it’s on the house”.

Are there more presentation designs available?

From time to time, we’ll be adding more designs. The cool thing is that you’ll have at your disposal a lot of content from Freepik and Flaticon when using the AI presentation maker. Oh, and just as a reminder, if you feel like you want to do things yourself and don’t want to rely on an AI, you’re on Slidesgo, the leading website when it comes to presentation templates. We have thousands of them, and counting!.

How can I download my presentation?

The easiest way is to click on “Download” to get your presentation in .pdf format. But there are other options! You can click on “Present” to enter the presenter view and start presenting right away! There’s also the “Share” option, which gives you a shareable link. This way, any friend, relative, colleague—anyone, really—will be able to access your presentation in a moment.

Discover more content

This is just the beginning! Slidesgo has thousands of customizable templates for Google Slides and PowerPoint. Our designers have created them with much care and love, and the variety of topics, themes and styles is, how to put it, immense! We also have a blog, in which we post articles for those who want to find inspiration or need to learn a bit more about Google Slides or PowerPoint. Do you have kids? We’ve got a section dedicated to printable coloring pages! Have a look around and make the most of our site!

Home Blog Business How To Make an Interview Portfolio (Examples + Templates)

How To Make an Interview Portfolio (Examples + Templates)

Are you planning your upcoming job interview? If so, it’s important to stay in touch with what recruiters require to showcase your abilities and professional experience in the best format possible. Interview portfolios become a vital asset for any aspiring candidate, as they allow potential employees to showcase their career information in a comprehensive format, much more detailed than traditional curriculum vitae presentations. 

In this article, we will learn how to make an interview portfolio in terms of content and maximize our chances by using PPT templates to create breathtaking graphics. 

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Portfolio?

Structure of an interview portfolio, personal and contact information.

• Resume and Cover Letter

Proof of Qualifications and Certifications

Work samples, professional recommendations and references, achievements and awards, graphics in interview portfolios.

• How Do You Make a Portfolio for a Job Interview Using PowerPoint

Regular Updates and Maintenance of the Portfolio

Final words.

An interview portfolio is a collection of things that show off your skills and achievements. Usually, when we hear portfolio , we think of artists with big black folders showing their artwork. But now, portfolios are used in many different fields. It is a way to show who you are as a professional. It is like a record of all the good things you have done at work or in school [1] . It includes tangible evidence of your accomplishments and presents what you have achieved. It acts as proof of your ability to acquire new skills and knowledge.

An interview portfolio goes beyond a traditional resume as it offers a deeper insight into your capabilities. In a career development plan , creating a portfolio helps you get ready for interviews because it makes you think deeply about your career experiences and achievements [2] . When you’re getting prepared for an interview, this process helps you pick out specific experiences that have taught you essential skills for the workplace. At the same time, developing an interview portfolio allows you to see how well your qualifications match the job requirements of your interest. While expanding your interview portfolio, choosing work samples and skills that show you are a good fit for the job you want is important. You can even make different portfolios for jobs you’re interested in [2] . By reflecting on various skills for a job, you might realize there are some skills you need to work on. A portfolio helps you to figure out exactly which skills you need to improve. This can enhance your confidence during the interview, and you can talk more confidently about your goals.

When creating a portfolio for a job interview, it’s essential to include various materials that collectively highlight your skills.

• Resume or CV
• Certifications and training
• Transcripts
• Testimonials and personal branding elements
• Professional Recommendations

Depending on your field, you can include specific items in your portfolio to show what you know and can do accurately. Your portfolio can end up being quite significant because of all the things you include. However, it is not appropriate to go through every single item with the employer during an interview. A better idea is to pick out certain things from your portfolio to make a smaller version just for the interview. This smaller portfolio can be shown during the interview to prove skills relevant to the job.

When making a portfolio for a job interview, provide updated contact information. This includes your full name, professional email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL.  A professional headshot also enhances your portfolio by giving it a personal touch. Additionally, you can also add a concise personal branding statement that can establish your unique identity as an applicant.

Personal branding has a significant impact on career success. 85 % of hiring managers say that a job candidate’s personal brand affects their hiring choices [3] . Your personal brand should present what you’re good at, build trust, and show what makes you unique in your current or desired field. A well-written personal brand can decide whether you’re a good fit for the job you’re applying for.

To understand it better, we will use the job interview portfolio of an IT candidate as an example.

Resume and Cover Letter 

Another vital element of your interview portfolio is your resume and cover letter. A resume summarises your career path, focusing on essential skills, experiences, and accomplishments. On the other hand, a cover letter is a personalized message expressing your interest in a particular job. Both are submitted together.

In a resume, you should highlight your information in an organized and professional manner.  At the same time, you have to customize your cover letter based on the specific requirements of each job you are applying for. Your cover letter highlights how your background aligns with the job posting requirements. This includes explaining your interests in the company that will contribute to its success [4] . Therefore, it would be great to elaborate on relevant points from your resume and express how you would be a valuable addition to their team.

Evidence of your qualifications and certifications enhances your credibility as a potential candidate in your interview portfolio. Whether it is a bachelor’s degree, a certificate, or a professional endorsement, they present your dedication in a relevant field. For instance, in the technology sector, certifications like CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect hold great value in highlighting specialized abilities. Make sure to truthfully present your qualifications and furnish any required paperwork to support your claims.

For example:

John’s Portfolio includes his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and certifications in Agile Development and AWS Certified Solutions Architect. These credentials validate his expertise in software development and cloud computing, making him a strong candidate for IT infrastructure or application development roles.

Work samples also portray your capabilities and accomplishments in your interview presentation . We suggest choosing projects or assignments that show your skills and achievements relevant to the position you’re applying for.  Provide a reflection statement for every sample included in the portfolio [2] . This statement should briefly describe the sample item and the context in which it was created. Additionally, the reflection statement should offer a detailed list of the competencies developed by the sample. This part of the reflection is crucial as it details the specific skills and abilities highlighted by each portfolio element. Thus, a work sample is a valuable tool in the interview process.

Software developers may include code samples or links to GitHub repositories highlighting their coding proficiency. Network administrators would select diagrams or documentation outlining infrastructure projects they’ve managed.  It is essential to annotate each work sample to provide context and highlight your contributions.

For Example:

John’s work samples include a web application he developed using React.js and Node.js, demonstrating his proficiency in full-stack web development. He also includes a case study detailing a network infrastructure upgrade project he led, highlighting his ability to design and implement scalable IT solutions.

A strong endorsement from a trusted source can significantly enhance your credibility and make a positive impression during the hiring process. Compared to references, recommendations are more in-depth [5]. A reference agrees to provide you with a positive recommendation for a job or program.

You can choose references who are familiar with your recent work. They can provide specific examples of your strengths and accomplishments. You must obtain permission from each reference before including their contact information in your portfolio. An excellent option for a reference could be your current supervisor, colleague, or professor from your college [6] . It is important to present references organizationally, including their name, job title, company, and contact information. 

John’s interview portfolio includes positive recommendations from his previous supervisors and colleagues, highlighting his strong work ethic, technical expertise, and collaborative nature. One of his supervisors writes ,

Subject: Recommendation for John Doe

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to highly recommend John Doe for the Software Engineer position at your company. As John’s professor for his Thesis at XYZ University, I can attest to his outstanding abilities and dedication to his studies. John consistently excelled in his thesis, demonstrating a deep understanding of software development principles and techniques. His practice projects, like designing a complex e-commerce platform, showcased his exceptional coding skills and problem-solving abilities. What sets John apart is his proactive approach to learning and his eagerness to tackle new challenges.

Beyond his technical skills, John is an excellent communicator and a collaborative team player. He consistently contributed valuable insights during group projects and mentored his peers to help them improve their coding abilities. I do not doubt that John’s combination of technical expertise, passion for software development, and strong work ethic make him an ideal candidate for the Software Engineer position at your company. I wholeheartedly endorse him for this role and believe he will be a valuable asset to your team.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information or clarification regarding John’s qualifications.

Prof. Jane Smith

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

XYZ University

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (123) 456-7890

Add it to your interview portfolio if you have succeeded in your field. Highlighting your recognitions or awards will prove your value. Achievements such as receiving industry certifications or being recognized for outstanding performance contribute to your credibility in the field. You can include achievements and awards to reinforce your qualifications for the job position.

When explaining achievements and awards, focus on their relevance to the job position and how they describe your capabilities and accomplishments. Highlight any specific skills that were instrumental in earning the recognition. You can also explain how they align with the requirements of the role you’re applying for. Whether it’s a technical accomplishment, leadership recognition, or customer service award, emphasize its impact on your professional development and your ability to contribute effectively to the organization.

John’s interview portfolio features several notable achievements and awards, including winning first place in a regional coding competition and receiving the “Employee of the Year” award at his previous company. These achievements underscore John’s technical prowess, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills, which are highly relevant to the Senior Software Engineer position he’s applying for at ABC Tech. By showcasing these recognitions, John reinforces his qualifications and positions himself as a top candidate.

They choose the proper portfolio format, whether physical or digital, which is crucial in making a favorable impression during an interview. However, it also depends on the hiring manager or the nature of the job when deciding on the format. Physical portfolios leave a strong impression and provide a hands-on experience. On the other side, digital portfolios offer flexible and simple sharing. The selection depends on the expectations of the industry and company culture.

Regardless of the format chosen, ensure that your interview portfolio maintains a neat, organized, and professional appearance. We suggest using high-quality materials for physical portfolios, such as a professional binder or portfolio case. The applicant must ensure that all documents are well-organized and easy to navigate. For digital portfolios, a visually appealing layout is essential. All files should be appropriately labeled and easily accessible.

How Do You Make a Portfolio for a Job Interview Using PowerPoint 

Using PowerPoint templates can be an effective way to create an attractive digital interview portfolio. You can choose a template that complements your content and goes well with your personal branding. Whether it is a PowerPoint or Google Slide Template , you can easily customize it to include your name, contact information, and any relevant branding elements. However, you must ensure readability and avoid overcrowding slides with too much text or graphics. Keeping the design clean and straightforward gives a professional look.

In order to save time and effort, we’ll give you a list of the best-suited Interview Portfolio PPT templates.

1. Curriculum Vitae Job Interview Template for PowerPoint

Present all the information regarding your professional accomplishments, certifications, work experience, etc., in a highly visual format. Minimalistic slides with bold color combinations – make your career stand out!

Use This Template

2. Interview Portfolio Chronological Resume Template

If you’re looking for ideas on creating a portfolio for a job interview, this template can simplify the process with a one-idea-per-slide approach. Available in light and dark layouts.

3. Animated Interview Portfolio Resume Slide Deck

Make your job interview an outstanding experience by using animated slides. This interview portfolio deck is fully compatible with all PowerPoint versions and helps you articulate your information thanks to a clean layout and animated effects.

4. Job Interview Portfolio Box Slide Template

With three distinctive areas in which to fill your information, these creative slides can convey your information in an extremely concise format.

5. One-Pager Curriculum Vitae Template for PowerPoint

We conclude this list with this sleek one-pager template to turn your Word-format CV into a powerful slide that leaves a lasting impression. Presenters can customize the color scheme to their preferred choices. Available in light and dark format.

Tips for Presenting the Portfolio During an Interview

When presenting your portfolio during an interview, prepare in advance to ensure a smooth and professional delivery. There are a few tips to remember;

• Practice discussing each section of your portfolio and be ready to provide context and insights into your work samples, achievements, and qualifications.
• You have to be early to the interview to set up your physical portfolio
• If you’re using a digital portfolio, check whether it is accessible on your device.
•  Confidence is also necessary when discussing your materials, and be prepared to answer any questions as needed.

It is crucial to regularly update your interview portfolio to maximize its impact during the job search. As your skills, experiences, and achievements progress, you may keep incorporating these developments into your portfolio. This will enable you to display your qualifications to prospective employers effectively. Besides, consistent updates will guarantee that your portfolio remains a valuable asset for highlighting your proficiency.

Review your resume, cover letter, work samples, qualifications, and achievements periodically to ensure they accurately reflect your current skills and experiences. You can seek feedback from mentors, peers, or industry professionals to gain insights into areas for improvement and make necessary changes.

Creating a professional portfolio for an interview is a strategic investment in your job search success. From perfecting your CV and choosing suitable samples of your work to showcasing your portfolio with poise during interviews, each stage is crucial in making you a unique applicant in the eyes of potential employers. Remember to regularly update and maintain your portfolio to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the ever-evolving job market.

[1] Interview Portfolios. https://www.sph.umn.edu/current/careers/students/resources/interviewing/interview-portfolios/

[2] Simmons, A. & Lumsden, J.  Preparing a Portfolio. https://career.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu746/files/Preparing%20a%20Portfolio_0.pdf

[3] Joubert, S. (2024) Tips for Building Your Personal Brand, Graduate Blog. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/

[4] Work on my Resume, Cover Letter, and Portfolio. The WCSU Career Success Center. Available at: https://www.wcsu.edu/careersuccess/resumes/ (Accessed: 15 March 2024).

[5] https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/do-you-need-reference-or-recommendation-heres-how-tell

[6] References and Recommendations. https://career.engr.psu.edu/students/basics/references.aspx

Like this article? Please share

Interview, Job Interview Filed under Business

Related Articles

Filed under Presentation Ideas • October 6th, 2023

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate. Giving a general presentation is already daunting. But selling yourself […]

Filed under Business • June 22nd, 2023

Crafting an Effective 30-60-90 Day Plan for Job Interviews: Examples + Templates

Depending upon the job title, there are various types of plans that one might require making such as perhaps a communications plan or project plan. However, the most common plan one might require making is a 30-60-90 day plan.

Filed under Design • July 19th, 2021

Creative Resume Ideas with Examples

This blog post presents some creative resume ideas that can be used for inspiration.

Leave a Reply

Google Slides: How to make a Jeopardy game

J eopardy is one of the longest-running game shows, consistently garnering a large viewership. Many classrooms have adapted the popular American quiz show's format. Its familiarity and sense of competition make it an effective tool in school environments. Reviewing chapters becomes a fun experience for students. You can make a custom version of Jeopardy in Google Slides. The service works on your Android phone, iPhone, laptop, desktop PC, or budget Chromebook . This guide shows you how to make a Jeopardy game in Google Slides.

What is Jeopardy? How do you play it?

Jeopardy is a television quiz show which features three contestants trying to win money. The game show host quizzes them on trivia related to science, math, geography, language, and pop culture.

The Jeopardy game consists of three rounds. The first two rounds comprise six categories with five clues each. When a player chooses a topic and dollar value, the host reads the clue, and the participants use their buzzers to respond with the correct question. In Final Jeopardy, only contestants with a positive dollar amount can participate. The player with the highest total amount wins the prize and gets to play the next game. The second and third-place contestants win $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

11 best trivia games on the Play Store in 2024

How to make a jeopardy game in google slides from scratch.

You can make a custom Jeopardy game to prepare for a new subject, review for a test, and more in Google Slides. You'll start by dividing the process into manageable sections, like making the game board, clues, and question slides. Finally, you'll link the relevant slides to create a Jeopardy game.

Create the Jeopardy game board

You'll first make the game board with the categories and score. Create a table in Google Slides with the subjects in the top row and the scoring system in the remaining rows. In this example, to include five topics with five clues each, make a table with six rows and five columns.

Here's how to do it:

• Select Insert from the toolbar.
• Select Table .
• Set the table dimensions.
• Enter the topics in the top row.
• Enter the scores in the remaining rows.

If the table doesn't appeal to you, use shapes to represent the topic and score. Select them by navigating to Insert > Shapes .

Make the answer/clue slide

In Jeopardy, the clue or answer comes first, followed by the question.

• To add a new slide, click Slide and choose New slide . Alternatively, use the shortcut Ctrl + M .
• Add your answer by clicking Insert > Text box .
• Use the options from the toolbar to change the font style, size, and formatting.

You can add a home icon to return to the game board and a right arrow icon to navigate to the next slide. Use add-ons for a better selection. Here's how to include them in your presentation.

• Click Extensions in the toolbar.
• Select Add-ons .
• Choose Get add-ons .
• Type Icons for Slides & Docs .
• Click Install .
• From the toolbar, select Extensions .
• Choose Icons for Slides & Docs and click Start .
• Type home in the search bar and press Enter .
• Choose a size and color.
• Click Insert .
• Repeat the same steps to insert the right arrow.

Create the question slide

Here's how to make the question slide:

• Click Slide .
• Select New slide .
• Click Insert and choose Text box .
• Type your question.
• Add the home and right arrow icons at the top.

How to add transparency to an image in Google Slides

Connect each slide.

The final step is to connect each slide using hyperlinks. Here's how to connect the points on the game board slide with the corresponding clues:

• Navigate to the game board (the first slide).
• Select a table cell for one of the point categories.
• Click Insert from the toolbar.
• Scroll down and select Link .
• Alternatively, right-click the selected text and choose Link from the drop-down menu.
• Type the slide number and click the text below it.
• Click Apply .
• Repeat the same process for the remaining points, linking the scores for each category with the corresponding clue.

The remaining slides (clue and question) include the home and right-arrow icons at the top. Here's how to add links to them:

• Click the home icon .
• Choose First Slide .
• Click the right arrow icon .
• Click Insert and select Link .
• Choose Next Slide .

After completing your question slide, copy it from the sidebar and paste it. Then, use it as a template for the remaining clues and questions. The template's home and right-arrow links are replicated, pointing toward the first and next slide, respectively. You don't need to repeat the hyperlinking process.

Copy a slide by selecting it and pressing Ctrl + C . Press Ctrl + V to paste ( Cmd + C and Cmd + V on a Mac).

Make your Google Slides presentations stand out with these tips

Follow the instructions above to make a fun Jeopardy game in Google Slides. These guidelines can also help you organize a fun trivia night for family gatherings. Spice up your presentations by adding audio clips , voiceovers, and other sound effects. If your slideshow looks bland, use these beautiful templates and add a creative spin. Use them for your work, business, or school assignments.