***How Important Are Presentation Skills in Your Career Advancement?

Do you think the ability to speak effectively is important in your career? Whatever your job, be it working for someone else or starting your own company, presentation skills today are at the top of the ladder when it comes to business. And, you have the internet to thank for that.

Video-conferencing, webinars, teleconferences, and workshops are on the rise even with our ‘sluggish’ economy as some might refer to it. People want answers and they want them yesterday. As a result, we are getting more and more information by means of the internet.

While it may not seem pertinent to you at the moment, it just might be in your future because our careers are changing faster than they ever have in the past. Layoffs, unemployment, and downsizing mean that many more people are starting their own businesss or looking for jobs on the internet. Even interviews can be handled today by means of a video-chat or a video-conference.

Speaking effectively could be your greatest asset since your competition is often as well educated and/or experienced as you. If the potential employer must decide between two candidates who are equal in most areas but one has better presentation skills, who do you think will get the job?

Now let’s look at the picture from a slightly different perspective. If there are two candidates and one has a slightly better education or is slightly more experienced but is lacking in his or her ability to speak effectively, who do you think will get the job? Unless the candidate is being hired to work in a research lab and will not be communicating with the outside world, the chances are good that the one whose presentation skills are strong will win that race!

Another scenario could be a contract. Those who are able to sell themselves make the best sales people and also win the most contracts. If your presentation skills are lacking, then your chances of closing the deal are definitely not as good the person whose communication or presentation skills outshine yours. A letter in the mail is not how business works today. People want to see and hear those with whom they are considering doing business.

There are several things you can do to improve. Taking a course in public speaking or joining Toastmasters are two considerations as well as voice training. Don’t allow poor presentation skills to keep you from the success you are seeking.