Reading
As you begin building your presentation, the first slide plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the entire deck. It’s the initial impression you make on potential employers, so it’s essential to ensure it’s both memorable and professional. Start by selecting a theme for your slide deck. A theme is a preset combination of colors, backgrounds, fonts, and layouts that gives your presentation a cohesive look. Revisit the slide deck you created earlier and choose a theme that is professional and not overly distracting. You might consider using a theme only for the first slide, keeping subsequent slides simpler to ensure your information stands out clearly.
On your first slide, the primary focus should be your name. Type it in and format the text so that it’s the largest and most eye-catching element on the slide. Directly beneath your name, craft an elevator pitch—a concise and impactful introduction that encapsulates who you are and your professional aspirations. This pitch should be brief, ideally just a sentence or two, as you will have the opportunity to delve into your qualifications and skills in the following slides. Make sure this text is smaller than your name but still prominent. Align your text boxes for a tidy appearance. Additionally, you might want to include a photo of yourself. If so, choose an ‘action’ picture, something that shows you engaged in a relevant activity, like conducting an experiment or performing in a play. Now it’s your turn to put these elements together: select a theme for your slide, type and format your name, write your elevator pitch, and optionally, include a personal photo.