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.