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11 Best Communication Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

11 min read · Updated on February 13, 2024

Are you properly conveying communication skills in your resume?

When it comes to employment skills, few are more important than the ability to effectively communicate with others. No matter your profession, chances are that you'll need some level of communication skill to interact with co-workers, managers, subordinates, and customers. As a result, employers who are evaluating potential hires always want to see evidence of communication skills in a resume.

But which communication skills should you include in your resume to make the best possible impression on employers?

In this post, we'll explain why you need to highlight these skills in your resume, examine 11 of the top communication skills, and offer tips to help you demonstrate those abilities. We'll also provide examples that show you how to include this critical information.

Why should you include communication skills in your resume?

While your hard skills - specific, measurable, job-related abilities - typically form the core of any job description's required qualifications, soft skills cannot be overlooked in your resume. In fact, those interpersonal abilities can play a significant role in any hiring decision that involves two otherwise equally competent candidates. If you're competing for a job against someone with equivalent technical capabilities and experience, that difference in soft skills may determine who gets hired.

When you include communication skills in your resume, you're letting an employer know that you have interpersonal abilities that can make you a valuable member of their team. That's an important consideration for any employer, of course. Companies want new hires who can do more than just fulfill their duties; they want team players who fit well within their organization.

Related post : The Essential Steps of Your Communication Process

Types of communication skills

It's important to understand what we mean when we talk about communication skills. For our purposes, we can categorize these skills into three distinct types:

Verbal skills . These communication skills include everything from conveying information or persuading others to public speaking and dealing with customer complaints.

Written skills . Many jobs require the ability to write in a concise and informative manner. These skills can include everything from informal emails to professional briefs, client presentations, and detailed reports for superiors.

Interpersonal skills . The third type of communication skill involves all those abilities that you use to interact with others. They can include things like empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.

  What are the top 11 communication skills employers want to see?

Below are 11 of the top communication skills for resumes. As you might expect, there are many others that you might want to consider as well. However, these 11 skills are among the most sought-after that employers are looking for in job candidates.

1.     Active listening

Active listening is a prized communication skill. This ability goes well beyond simply hearing what others say, and instead involves the ability to actively understand their message. People with these skills can connect with others, build trust, and participate in collaborative problem-solving efforts.

Active listening includes a host of other skills, including the ability to ask probing questions, provide nonverbal and verbal cues that show that you're paying attention, and paraphrase what you're hearing to confirm your understanding of the message.

Related post : What are the Types of Listening Skills? 8 Types Explained

2.     Empathy

Empathy is a vital interpersonal trait and one of the most important leadership communication skills. People with empathy tend to be more curious and open-minded, have a keener sense of self-awareness, and are less likely to be hostage to their own natural biases and preconceptions. They value other people's perspectives and are willing to entertain ideas that challenge their beliefs.

3.     Conflict management and resolution

Conflict is an inevitable feature of human interaction - including in the workplace. If you have excellent conflict resolution skills, it's important to highlight them in your resume. Employers will be interested in knowing that you're capable of resolving interpersonal conflict in your work setting, since that can have a direct and positive impact on productivity and workplace harmony.

4.     Presentation skills

There are many jobs that require the ability to make presentations to superiors, customers, shareholders, or even coworkers. Good presentation skills enable you to compellingly convey information to others, persuade them to consider your point of view, or simply keep your target audience apprised of relevant developments.

5.     Writing skills

Effective writing skills are important in virtually every industry and a wide variety of roles. Obviously, many jobs will require simple writing tasks like composing emails, but there are a whole host of other writing abilities that employers may be looking for. These can include everything from legal briefs or technical writing to advertising copy, marketing presentations, contract creation, and more. Depending on the job you're seeking, including these important communication skills in your resume could be vital.

6.     Team building

The ability to build and work with teams is another important leadership communication skill for your resume. Whether you're interested in a managerial or executive role, this skill set is something that you'll need to succeed in that leadership position. Effective team builders know how to work with others to solve problems, are skilled in delegating work to competent subordinates, and know how to help team members reach their full potential.

Related post : 20 Key Leadership Competencies for Success (Plus Tips!)

7.     Motivation

Employers also appreciate candidates who possess useful motivational skills. While the ability to set goals, maintain a positive attitude, and rally others to achieve a shared objective is essential for leadership, it can also be an invaluable skill for anyone who works in a collaborative setting. By including these communication skills in your resume, you can ensure that employers recognize your ability to inspire others and drive productivity in the workplace.

Related post : 6 Qualities of Managers Who Practice Inspiring Leadership

8.     Openness to feedback

Hiring managers also want to see that you're capable of receiving feedback, whether it's constructive criticism or praise. These skills reflect a commitment to teamwork and continual improvement, both of which are highly prized by today's employers. It's a bonus if you're also adept at providing feedback to others. That desire to develop as an employee and help others to reach their full potential can make you an attractive candidate for many jobs.

9.     Honesty

You might not think of honesty as a communication skill, but it is. Whether you're an entry-level worker or a manager, it's important for others to know that they can trust your words. Of course, honesty encompasses more than just being truthful. It also includes character traits like trustworthiness, responsibility, accountability, and reliability. Honest people are seen as authentic and confident, traits that all good leaders possess.

10.  Emotional intelligence

As the workplace has grown more complex in recent years, hiring managers have placed greater emphasis on employees' emotional intelligence. That's a fancy term that simply describes your ability to manage your own emotions, understand your own interactions with others, and use that knowledge and insight to control stress, relate to others, communicate in a clear and effective way, and manage conflict.

People with high emotional intelligence often excel at interpersonal relations in the workplace and tend to be competent leaders. Their ability to recognize their own emotions and the feelings of others around them can help them to make more informed decisions. Including examples of your use of emotional intelligence can help to highlight those critical interpersonal communication skills in your resume.

11.  Negotiating

Negotiation skills are also highly prized in most industries, so make sure that you highlight these abilities in your resume too. Successful negotiators are adept at problem-solving, persuasive communication, and conflict resolution - skills that are useful in nearly every industry. Include an achievement in your professional experience section that highlights your negotiation skills, demonstrating how those abilities provided measurable value to a previous employer. 

Tips you can use to highlight these skills in your resume

Of course, being familiar with these different communication skills is just the first step. You also need to know how to highlight them in your resume. The following tips can help you with that process.

Match your skills to keywords in the job posting

Always make sure that you review the job posting to identify specific communication-related skills that are listed as job requirements. Wherever possible, use those exact terms in your resume as you describe various communication skills that you've used in previous jobs. That will help to ensure that your resume is found by an applicant tracking system when an employer conducts a search.

Focus on measurable achievements

Don't just say that you have certain communication skills. Show that you have them by including them as achievements in your resume summary or professional experience section. Make sure that you describe how you used those skills to produce measurable value for your employer. Use real numbers to help the reader understand the type of value you can provide as a potential hire.

Always be brief and to the point

Brevity is important, since hiring managers often sift through dozens or even hundreds of resumes. Make sure that you highlight communication skills and other abilities as concisely as possible to optimize space in your resume. Remember also that your writing skills will be on full display as you create the resume, so you probably won't need to spend much time boasting about them.

Communication skills: resume examples you can use

As we noted, there are several ways that you can highlight communication skills in your resume. You can include mention of them in your resume summary, list several within your core competencies section, and highlight examples of their use in your professional experience section. Below are some examples to show you how this is done.

Communication skills in your resume summary

Detail-oriented Office Manager with 10 years of experience managing office operations and interdepartmental communications. Managed 21-person team responsible for accounts totaling $123 million a year. Researched, drafted, and implemented interoffice communication changes that reduced waste by 22%, expedited internal processing and increased departmental revenue by 19% in the first year.

Communication skills in your skills section

Including these communication skills in your core competencies, or skills, section is a simple matter. Pick the skills that most closely align with the job requirements, and list them in bullet point form alongside other key soft skills and your technical proficiencies. For example:

Copywriting

Email management

Media communications

Presentations

Team building

Training management

Office management

Organization

Time management

Decision-making

Communication skills in your work experience section

When it comes to including your communication skills in a work experience section, you again need to focus on notable achievements. Use real numbers that demonstrate value and create several bullet point accomplishment examples for each job listing in this section. You only need to include a couple of examples of how you used your communication skills, of course, since you'll likely also want to highlight other core job-related skills too. Here are some examples that show how to do this:

Reorganized office information flow to speed up client onboarding and account management, resulting in growth of 12% in client acquisition and an increase of 40% in retention

Created an innovative training program for new office transfers, focused on new skills and employee growth. Program resulted in 60% drop in employee attrition, contributing to a 13% increase in revenues in the first quarter of implementation

Negotiated resolution to client conflict that saved a $2 million project contract and led to a 30% expansion in business with the customer over the next two years

Related post : 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

Achieve job search success by including communication skills in your resume

Much of your resume will be devoted to highlighting your job-related skills and experiences, but that's no reason to neglect these important soft skills. Conveying effective communication skills in your resume can be a terrific way to demonstrate that you're the best candidate for any job, and may be just what you need to differentiate yourself from your competition!

Are you still not sure if you've properly included your communication skills in your resume? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!

Recommended reading:

Soft Skills Explained - and the Top 7 for Your Resume

What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)

These 14 Leadership Traits Can Fuel Your Career Success

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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• Resume Tips

Communication Skills on a Resume (Examples + Tips)

13 min read

Communication skills are something that almost every employer is looking for – and for good reason. Most jobs require some level of human interaction with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, customers, or other stakeholders. Employers need employees with these abilities to ensure that their operations run smoothly and productively. It is thus vital to include communication skills on your resume if you want to ensure that you capture an employer’s attention during any job search.

In this post, we will explain why you need to include communication skills on your resume, examine the top five skills you need to highlight and 10 others that you may want to consider, and provide a communications skills resume template you can use to showcase your abilities.

Why should you include communication skills on your resume?

While hard skills will help show that you have the right qualifications for most jobs, soft skills are just as important for success. And when it comes to soft skills, few are as vital as the ability to communicate in a skillful way. By including communication skills on your resume, you demonstrate to employers that you can not only interact with customers, colleagues, and supervisors but also work as part of a cohesive and effective team.

How to include communication skills on a resume

Of course, you need to know how to include communication skills in a resume if you want to effectively convey these abilities to employers. To do that, you need to illustrate these skills in various sections of the resume rather than simply claim that you possess them. The following tips can help you ensure that your inclusion of these skills is as compelling as possible:

Don’t just list “excellent communication skills” in your skill section and assume that you’re done. You’ll need to include examples of how you used those abilities to solve problems, create value, or otherwise benefit your previous employers.

Make sure that your resume includes all the key qualifications you find in the job posting, using those exact terms. If a skill like team leadership is cited as a qualification, use that term in one of the achievement examples that you include in your resume.

Use real numbers to quantify the results your achievements provided for those prior employers. For example, instead of just writing that you used negotiation skills to close multiple deals for your last employer, show real value by quantifying those results: “Successfully negotiated and closed new client deals valued at more than $27 million.”

Communication skills resume template

If you’re wondering how all this might look in your resume, it may be helpful to see a simple template for including communication skills on your resume. Below, we’ve provided an easy-to-follow template that you can use to organize your own resume.

[Your name, phone number, email, LinkedIn URL]

[Headline, including desired job title]

[Summary statement. This should be 3-5 sentences highlighting your key skills and achievements to demonstrate value. Think of it as an elevator pitch that sells your qualifications to employers.]

[Core competencies section. This section should include both hard and soft skills. You can list any required communication skills here but be prepared to also highlight them in achievements in other sections of the resume.]

[Professional experience. This section should list your previous jobs in reverse order, beginning with your current or most recent position. Include the company name, job title, and employment dates for each position. Below each job, include several bullet point achievements – including those that relied on your communication skills.]

[Education. Your educational section needs to include the schools you attended, the years of attendance, course of study, degrees earned, and any relevant coursework. ]

Communication skills resume example

We’ve also put together a sample resume that highlights communication skills that you can use for inspiration or as a customizable guide for your own resume.

John Johnson

555-555-5555 • [email protected] • https://www.linkedin.com/in/JohnJohnson

Lead Corporate Negotiator with 10 Years of Fortune 500 Experience

Proven corporate negotiator and deal-closer with 10 years of success in closing multimillion-dollar client deals in the finance and manufacturing sectors. Organized, managed, and led a 20-person acquisition and merger team that created more than $500 million in value for our clients. Personally negotiated ABCD Corp. merger with EFG Inc, increasing company value by 23% while saving more than 1300 jobs.

Core competencies

Motivational speaking

Team building

Presentation

Copywriting

Computer proficiency

Data analysis

Media relations

Negotiation

Professional experience

ABCD Corp, 2015-2023

Chief Negotiator, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Division

Led teams responsible for identifying M&A prospects to further company growth plans

Oversaw creation of M&A outreach, negotiation, and closure plans

Negotiated deals worth more than $400 million, with 72% M&A success rate

 Alpha, Inc., 2009-2015

Lead strategist, M&A

Created merger and acquisition strategies that successfully led to more than 35 completed deals in a 6-year period

Developed negotiation presentation plans that were used to achieve a 62% success rate by negotiation teams

Created and managed negotiator training program that boosted overall closure success rate for M&A by 29%

  Education

Bachelor of Communications, GoodSpeak College, 2008

Coursework: Digital Communications, Media Relations, Public Relations, Persuasive Speaking, Negotiation Theory

Different communication skills to highlight on your resume

When you’re evaluating your own communication skills, it’s important to remember that they all fall into two main categories. Those two forms of communication include verbal and nonverbal communication. Let’s consider each to get a better idea of how they can help you in your career.

Verbal communication

Most people are intimately familiar with verbal communication, which involves the use of words to convey ideas and messages. Verbal communication can occur person-to-person, in a phone call, during a video conference, or through text, email, and other forms of writing. This type of communication is an effective way to deliver information, share new concepts, and solve problems.

Nonverbal communication

While verbal communication is important, many experts believe that seventy percent or more of all human communication occurs without words. This nonverbal communication includes subtle things like facial expressions, body language, posture, and the tone of your voice. Even something as simple as maintaining or avoiding eye contact can impart useful information to other people.

Top 5 communication skills employers look for

Before you start listing communication skills in your resume, it can be helpful to ensure that you have a better idea of the type of abilities today’s employers are looking for. In the following sections of this post, we will examine some of those key communication skills, beginning with the top five communication skills that most employers always appreciate.

Emotional intelligence is more important than ever before. As the workplace grows ever more complex, employers need to know that each member of their team is cognizant of their colleagues’ emotions and points of view. This is especially true in environments where collaboration and workplace harmony are essential for success.

It is one thing to be able to communicate an idea. It is often quite another to do with the type of clarity that most people need if they are to fully understand your message. Whether you are giving directions or taking them, it is important to be able to do so in a direct and clear way. For example, if you not only provide instructions but offer an example that effectively illustrates those directions, you’re more likely to be understood by others.

Honesty and integrity in your communications are the most important keys to gaining others’ trust. Every employer wants to build a team made up of people who say what they mean and follow through on their word. Honest employees can be relied upon to be both responsible and accountable for their actions, transparent in their actions, and authentic in all their dealings.

Team building is a powerful skill that demonstrates an ability to communicate with others, collaborate as part of a group, and even motivate colleagues to reach new heights of success. Good team builders are adept at things like delegation, inspirational messaging, and problem-solving. This skill is one that is often associated with managers – but make no mistake: employers appreciate seeing it on the resume of any job candidate.

Active listening

Active listening is a skill prized by many employees because those who possess this ability can do more than just hear messages from others. They are also adept at understanding the true meaning of any message because they actively engage in conversations and know how to use questions and reflective listening to ensure clarity.

10 other communication skills to highlight in a resume

Of course, those five critical skills are just a small subset of the full range of abilities you can cite to demonstrate your communication skills. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 other communication-related skills that you can include in your resume to illustrate your ability to articulate information to others.

1.      Presentation

Are you experienced in giving presentations ? If so, then turn that skill into an accomplishment in your work experience section. For example:

Supplied superior customer service training and presentations to external and internal stakeholders, reducing training time and costs by 10% over 2 years.

2.     Negotiation

Negotiation skills will benefit you in many different industries including sales, business development, and law. Showing that you successfully negotiated a deal will display your great communication skills. Here is an example of how that might be conveyed in a resume:

Experienced in delivering high-quality work products in a variety of subject matter areas, building effective case strategies, and negotiating high-value, multimillion-dollar contracts for corporate clients.

3.     Coordinating human resources

It is impossible to manage or coordinate other people’s activities without effective communication skills. If you’ve ever managed people at any level of an organization, you can illustrate this ability in your resume through a well-constructed example of a quantifiable achievement.

Managed a team of 26 customer service employees, decreasing staff turnover by 20% with improved morale, and increasing customer satisfaction and retention by 15%.

4.     Written communication

Written communication is a vital skill for writers, marketers, office staff, and many other workers. While your whole resume serves as a testament to your writing ability, you can give more weight to your writing skills by mentioning how they've helped you succeed professionally. For example:

Created headlines, edited copy, and designed graphics and pages for both print and digital platforms.

5.     Conflict resolution

Whenever humans interact, there is always the potential for interpersonal conflict. If you’re adept at resolving these types of issues, you should demonstrate that by citing examples of your conflict resolution skills in your resume.

Regularly called upon to defuse conflicts within the team to reduce distraction and ensure that our combined attention remained 100% focused on our collective mission objective.

6.     Collaboration

As we mentioned earlier in the post, teamwork is essential in many different types of jobs. If your talents include the ability to collaborate effectively with others, then you should make sure that your resume includes that skill. Pick one or more jobs where you relied on this ability for success and include a bullet point example of how it benefited the company.

In collaboration with my team and other departments, successfully reorganized our sales process to increase lead generation by 22%, improve sales conversions by 18%, and increase profits by 19%.

7.     Persuasion

The ability to persuade others can be a vital communication skill that can help you supercharge your career. It is also one of those skills that most employers will prize, especially if you can demonstrate how your persuasiveness can add value to their bottom line. One way to illustrate that persuasive ability is to highlight instances where you’ve been able to persuade others in ways that benefited your employers. For example:

Led acquisition advance team tasked with persuading target company leaders to consider selling their enterprises. Utilized persuasive techniques to achieve more than 19% success rate on first attempts, 52% success rate on second contact.

8.     Open-mindedness

One of the most important communication skills these days involves the ability to maintain an open mind. Are you someone who values other people’s perspectives and ideas? Do you enjoy brainstorming with others to come up with new and creative solutions to problems? If so, then that open-minded approach to new information and points of view is a strength that you should share on your resume.

Led diverse team in collaborative effort to brainstorm new ideas and solutions for needed technological system changes, resulting in implementation of new systems that improved company logistical efficiency by 33%.

9.     Motivational speaking

Your ability to inspire others by using your voice to motivate them to new heights of success can also be an attractive communication skill for many employers. After all, motivational skills are essential for any management or leadership position. If you’ve ever been in any situation where you needed to motivate your colleagues to achieve a goal, be sure to include that as one of your achievements.

As team leader, incorporated daily stand-up meetings to motivate and focus team members, which helped increase productivity by 28% in just 6 months.

10.  Giving and receiving feedback

Employers also want to know that you’re capable of receiving feedback, and even providing it depending on your role. Are you someone who always wants to hear constructive criticism or even negative feedback? That desire to be accountable so that you can continue to improve is something that employers will be eager to know about you. They’ll also appreciate your ability to offer constructive advice to other members of your team.

This is one of those skills that you may want to highlight in your summary statement if you’re focused on receiving criticism. For example:

Dedicated team leader who seeks out constructive feedback to fuel consistent growth and improvement in performance metrics.

On the other hand, if you’re usually the one providing the feedback, you may want to mention that in one of your work history achievements.

Provided monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reviews for team members, as well as more frequent feedback designed to prevent performance issues before they became serious problems.

Your communication skills on a resume can make all the difference

Knowing which communication skills to put on a resume could help determine the type of impression you make on any prospective employer. That’s why it’s so important to understand which skills employers are looking for and make sure that your skills align with those needs. 

So, take the time to assess your key communication skills and pay careful attention to the qualifications cited in any job posting. If you can ensure that those cited skills align well with the communication skills on your resume, you can increase your chances of landing an interview.

Want to ensure that you have the right communication skills on your resume? Head on over to get your free resume review from our team of experts to learn whether your resume has what it takes to help you achieve your job search goals.

Recommended reading:

The Best 10 Skills to Put on Your Resume

Top 15 Skills Employers Are Hiring For in 2023

Interpersonal Skills Can Give You the Competitive Career Advantage You Need

Ken Chase, Freelance Writer

During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd. Read more resume advice from Ken on  ZipJob’s blog .

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50 Inspiring Examples for 7 Communication Skills for a Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 22, 2023 — 6 minutes to read

When crafting your resume, highlighting your strong communication skills is essential. Here are some top skills to consider and examples of how to showcase them on your resume.

• Active Listening: Demonstrate your ability to be receptive and engage in the conversation. For example: Successfully facilitated team meetings by actively listening to colleagues and providing constructive feedback.
• Verbal Communication: Showcase your ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. For example: Presented quarterly reports to the executive board, effectively communicating the sales team’s achievements.
• Written Communication: Emphasize your capacity to create clear, concise written documents. An example may be: Developed and maintained monthly newsletter for the marketing department, reaching over 500 employees.
• Empathy: Understanding others helps foster strong professional relationships. For example: Addressed customer concerns with compassion, resulting in significant improvements in client satisfaction.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Focus on moments where you contributed to successful team projects. For instance: Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute a new product launch, achieving a 30% increase in sales.
• Adaptability: Showcase your flexibility and ability to handle change effectively. Here’s an example: Adapted communication style to accommodate remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a seamless transition for the team.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts efficiently benefits everyone. For example: Mediated disagreements between team members, helping to create a more collaborative and harmonious work environment.

Verbal Communication Skills

Public speaking.

Mastering public speaking can be a game changer for your resume. Employers appreciate candidates who can confidently present information to groups. To showcase your public speaking skills, mention specific experiences where you have delivered presentations or speeches. For example:

• Delivered a presentation on sustainable business practices to a team of 30 colleagues
• Facilitated a workshop on effective communication for new employees

Foreign Language Proficiency

Being proficient in one or more foreign languages can set you apart from other candidates. It indicates your ability to communicate with a diverse range of people, which is valuable in a globalized workplace. To highlight your language skills, list the languages you’re proficient in along with your level of fluency. For instance:

• Fluent in Spanish and French
• Intermediate proficiency in Mandarin and German

Related: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume (Examples)

Active Listening

Active listening is an essential verbal communication skill that demonstrates your ability to understand and engage with others effectively. Employers value employees who can listen attentively and respond thoughtfully in discussions. To emphasize your active listening skills, provide examples of situations where you’ve made a difference through attentive listening. Examples might include:

• Resolved a customer complaint by actively listening to their concerns and implementing a solution
• Improved team dynamics by being attentive during meetings and encouraging open communication among team members

Written Communication Skills

Professional writing.

In the professional world, written communication is a must-have skill. Your resume should showcase your ability to articulate thoughts and ideas with clarity and precision in different formats (reports, emails, proposals, etc.). To highlight this skill on your resume, use phrases like:

• Developed and edited company newsletters, enhancing employee engagement
• Created detailed project proposals, securing client approval and project funding
• Drafted and revised technical documentation, ensuring user-friendly clarity and accuracy

Business Correspondence

Effective business correspondence involves crafting clear and concise emails, memos, and letters tailored to various audiences. Showcasing this skill on your resume can demonstrate your expertise in professional etiquette and the ability to adapt your writing style to different scenarios. Here are some examples:

• Collaborated with international teams, sending clear and concise email correspondence to prevent miscommunications
• Generated persuasive sales emails that contributed to a 15% increase in client conversion rates
• Wrote concise and informative weekly memos to upper management, providing updates on project progress

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Conflict resolution.

When listing your conflict resolution skills on your resume, be specific about the techniques you employ:

• Skilled in using active listening to pinpoint underlying issues and complaints.
• Experienced in mediating disagreements between colleagues to find a mutual agreement.
• Proficient in providing constructive feedback and reinforcing positive communication behaviors.

Collaborative Teamwork

Highlight your ability to work effectively with others by showcasing the following abilities:

• Proven track record of successful group projects and team initiatives.
• Ability to adapt communication style based on team dynamics and members’ strengths.
• Skilled in brainstorming, group problem-solving, and co-creating ideas with diverse team members.

Showcase your ability to understand and relate to others’ feelings and emotions by including these skills in your resume:

• Empathetic and compassionate attitude to foster a positive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide emotional support and encouragement to team members in stressful situations.

Digital Communication Skills

Social media.

Nowadays, social media plays an important role in promoting a company’s brand and engaging with customers. Highlight your experience in leveraging social media platforms to advocate brand values and enhance customer relationships. Include these skills in your resume with statements like:

• Managed corporate social media accounts to establish a consistent brand voice and engage with customers.
• Successfully increased follower count and engagement on various platforms by creating relevant content.

Online Meeting Management

Effectively managing online meetings is a skill that demonstrates your ability to keep participants engaged and ensure productive outcomes. Emphasize your ability to plan, host, and facilitate virtual meetings using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Here are some examples of how to put those skills on your resume:

• Experienced in scheduling and hosting virtual meetings, ensuring timely starts and focused discussions.
• Skilled in facilitating online meetings with participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some strong examples of communication skills to include on a resume.

Consider showcasing a range of communication skills, such as active listening, clear writing, public speaking, and negotiation. For example:

• Active listening: “Consistently praised for effectively capturing project requirements through attentive listening in client meetings.”
• Clear writing: “Developed company-wide email guidelines to ensure clarity and professionalism in written communication.”
• Public speaking: “Delivered engaging and informative presentations at industry conferences, demonstrating strong public speaking skills.”
• Negotiation: “Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers, resulting in a 12% reduction in supply chain costs.”

How can I effectively showcase teamwork and collaboration abilities on my resume?

To emphasize your teamwork and collaboration skills, think about the projects you’ve participated in and your role in those projects. Examples:

• Successfully worked on cross-functional teams to complete projects on time and under budget.
• Collaborated with colleagues to innovate and implement improvements, increasing department efficiency by 15%.
• Facilitated open and constructive conversations within a diverse team environment, fostering trust and accountability.

What are some tips for highlighting written communication skills in a resume?

When showcasing written communication skills, focus on the outcomes your writing has achieved. For example:

• Crafted client proposals that consistently resulted in increased contract value and successful project launches.
• Edited and proofread internal communications, ensuring consistent tone and style across departments.
• Authored monthly newsletter with a growing subscriber base, receiving positive feedback for engaging and informative content.

Which techniques can demonstrate strong verbal communication abilities on a resume?

To illustrate your verbal communication skills, highlight situations where your speaking abilities played a critical role. Examples:

• Delivered persuasive sales pitches, resulting in a 20% increase in closed deals.
• Articulated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, facilitating successful project rollouts.
• Mediated conflicts between team members, fostering a positive work environment and promoting effective problem-solving.

How can one emphasize active listening skills when creating a professional resume?

To showcase your active listening skills, emphasize your ability to understand and respond to others’ ideas and concerns. Think about instances where your attentive listening has positively impacted projects. For example:

• Acted as a key liaison between departments, ensuring clear communication and understanding of project goals and tasks.
• Routinely sought input and feedback from team members, incorporating ideas into project plans and processes.
• Demonstrated a diplomatic approach in meetings and discussions, fostering open communication and maintaining team harmony.

What are some strategies to showcase problem-solving and leadership skills on a resume?

To highlight problem-solving and leadership skills, focus on examples where your actions led to positive outcomes. You might include:

• Successfully led a team through a challenging project turnaround, implementing targeted solutions to deliver on-time and within budget.
• Mentored junior employees, providing guidance and support that contributed to their successful progression within the company.
• Identified inefficiencies in work processes and implemented process improvements, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity.
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Communication Skills on Resume: What Do Recruiters Look For?

Need to demonstrate communication skills to land a job? Copy these examples and follow these practical tips for showing those skills on your resume.

3 years ago   •   8 min read

"This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills."

If this line looks familiar, that’s because it’s on nearly every job description. It’s kind of a no-brainer — nearly every job requires some form of communication, so employers want to see evidence of those skills on your resume.

The question is, how do you convince a hiring manager you have what it takes based on your resume alone? How do you show you have great communication skills without simply stating that you’re “great at communication.”

In this article, we’ll discuss how to show your strong communication skills through detailed examples, the best competitive communication skills to highlight on your resume, and what recruiters are really looking for when they ask for good communication.

Why is communication so important

Communication is a hidden skill — you use it all the time, but rarely notice it. In some jobs, the need for clear communication is obvious, like if the position involves a lot of writing or public speaking . In others, it’s more subtle, but things like taking direction, working with clients, and conflict resolution are all clear forms of workplace communication. Every position, no matter the field, can benefit from good communication, hence why it’s a must-have for your resume.

How to demonstrate communication skills on your resume

Here are the top tips for listing communication skills on your resume:

• Remove vague words like “communication skills”, and instead, list detailed, specific examples of times you’ve communicated well.
• Review the job description to identify the kinds of communication skills the job is looking for, such as presenting, influencing, managing, and written communication, and detail your experience with these particular skills.
• Use strong action verbs and quantified results to create memorable statements. For example, instead of writing “Responsible for communication,” state that you “orchestrated a communication strategy that increased team efficiency by 30%.”
• Use bullet points to make your points easy to scan.
• Highlight relevant hard skills like languages that show your ability to communicate well.

Now, let’s dive into what skills recruiters are really looking for when they ask for “good communication” and the best examples of communication skills to include on your resume.

What recruiters mean by “good communication skills”

When recruiters ask for candidates with good communication skills, they’re not just looking for people who know how to chat around the office. They’re looking for candidates who can effectively communicate with colleagues and clients, discuss performance, resolve conflicts, and have experience communicating in their particular professional setting - be it a team environment, a remote workplace, social media, or delivering presentations.

The best way to determine what type of communication each particular role requires is to look at the job description. Here is a list of commonly sought-after communication skills you’ll likely see listed in a variety of job postings:

• Speaking and listening
• Negotiating
• Teamwork and relationship building
• Sales and pitching
• Business writing
• Social media
• Visual communication
• Marketing copy
• Giving and accepting feedback

If you’re looking to get more specific, check out our list of skills and keywords , broken down by your industry and job title.

Where to list communication skills on your resume

Communication is a soft skill, which means the do’s and don’ts of listing it on your resume are simple:

• Don’t list communication in your skills section or write that you have “excellent communication skills.” When it comes to communication, you need to show, not tell!
• Do describe accomplishments that involve good communication throughout your resume, in your work experience, resume summary, and education section.
• Do mention hard skills related to communication in your skills section, such as language proficiency and digital tools like Slack or Teams.
• Do use your resume itself as an example of good communication. This means proper grammar, no spelling mistakes, and good punctuation.

How to describe communication on your resume

The first step in highlighting good communication skills is to avoid repeating the same word or phrase over and over. When building your bullet points, try these action verbs instead:

• Interpreted
• Corresponded

Top communication skills to put on your resume - with examples

Here are the top communication skills to list on your resume that are relevant to almost all industries, with examples of how to showcase these skills through quantified bullet points.

Conflict resolution

Whether you're negotiating million-dollar contracts or resolving customer complaints, conflict resolution is a critical skill in any workplace. It involves handling disputes effectively, mediating between parties, and arriving at mutually beneficial solutions. On your resume, illustrate these skills by explaining an issue, how you resolved it, and what benefits your company gained. For example:

• Supported management with handling and resolving human resources issues, decreasing employee complaints by 70%.
• Resolve customer disputes and enhanced customer satisfaction ratings by 25%.

Digital tools and social media expertise

In today's digital environment, proficiency in modern communication tools like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams is essential, while social media expertise is increasingly in demand for marketing and customer-facing roles. Demonstrating your ability to effectively use these tools can set you apart in a competitive job market.

Describe your skills by detailing what particular tools you’re proficient with, and include results-based data, such as social media campaigns you’ve run or the number of teams you've collaborated with on Slack. For example:

• Efficiently managed team projects and communications across global time zones using Slack and Zoom, leading to a 40% increase in project delivery efficiency.
• Directed 10+ social media campaigns for RSP clients on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Leading meetings and team collaboration

Discussing leading meetings and team projects highlights your ability to convey ideas, engage with audiences, and facilitate group interaction. These skills reflect not only good communication but also leadership and management skills. To show this, describe an accomplishment demonstrating your ability to manage personnel, host meetings, or coordinate reports and other correspondence. For example:

• Managed international stakeholders in India, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong by hosting daily standups and coordinating weekly status reports.

Verbal and written communication skills

Highlight both your verbal and written communication skills by mentioning presentations, reports, emails, or projects. Include hard numbers — like the number of marketing emails you wrote, new leads generated, or major accounts you landed — to show the positive outcome of your involvement. For example:

• Wrote and produced 100+ client prospecting video emails, leading to 50+ leads and landing major accounts.

Delivering education and training

Training others is an invaluable skill that showcases leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. If you've led training, mentored new staff, or guided clients through a complicated process, highlight these accomplishments. For example:

• Directed and advised 10+ business partners through annual talent assessments, discussions, and proactively pipelining for future openings.

Communicating with clients

Building relationships with clients is another soft skill closely related to communication. Creating a positive atmosphere, maintaining client relationships, and reaching out to community partners are all valuable skills. Including metrics elevates your bullet points from subjective to objective. For example:

• Established and maintained positive internal and community relations through on-site recruitment and telecommunications, ensuring 93% community acceptance.

How to show communication skills in different sections of your resume

As mentioned above, you can showcase great communication skills throughout your resume, as well as in your cover letter, online profiles, and during any professional correspondence. Here is how to showcase different communication skills in various sections of your resume:

Under professional work experience

The work experience section of your resume is the best place to list communication skills. You don’t need to have worked in a communication-heavy role to do this — every job uses communication skills. Using the job description as a starting point, identify what kind of communication skills the position requires and address each one with a bullet point accomplishment.

Once you’ve done that, use the tool below to search for skills for the job you’re applying to. You also have the option of adding in your resume — the tool will quickly scan it and tell you which skills are missing and which you need to add.

Through education, projects, and activities

If you don’t have a lot of paid work experience, or you’re struggling to find examples of good communication, that’s okay. Personal or academic projects and extracurricular activities can be used to show excellent communication skills, especially if you’re a current student or recent graduate.Use action-focused bullet points for these, too, and include metrics wherever possible.

In your hard skills section

You shouldn’t list communication in the skills section of your resume, but you can list hard skills that demonstrate strong communication. Language proficiency , is a great skill to inclide here, as well as particualr digital communication tools, such as Slack, Zoom, Trello, or Microsoft Teams.

In your cover letter

Showing most soft skills on a resume is difficult because there’s no way for hiring managers to evaluate those skills for themselves. Communication is an exception to this rule — Your resume itself, and in particular your cover letter , is a direct example of your written communication skills. Make sure your application, and any other communications, are well-written, succinct, and error-free by always proofreading to catch any errors.

Common mistakes to avoid when showcasing communication skills

Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for when trying to showcase good communication skills on your resume:

• Overusing generic phrases : Avoid vague language and overused terms like "excellent communication skills" or "strong communicator." These phrases are too general and don't provide a clear picture of your actual abilities.
• Lacking specific examples : Failing to provide concrete examples where your communication skills made a positive impact is a common mistake. Employers want real-world examples that demonstrate your skills in action.
• Not tailoring your examples to the job : Not tailoring your communication skills to the specific job you're applying for can be a missed opportunity. Highlight aspects of your communication that align with the job description.
• Neglecting digital communication skills : In today's digital world, not showcasing your proficiency with modern communication tools like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams can be a significant oversight.
• Overstating your abilities : Be honest about your level of proficiency. Overstating your skills can lead to challenges if you're unable to meet the expectations set by your resume.

Top-Tip: Create personal branding through good communication

One crucial aspect often overlooked when showcasing communication skills is the role these skills play in personal branding. Personal branding is about how you present yourself to potential employers and the unique mix of skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. Think of it as your USP, or unique selling point.

When you describe your communication skills, think about how these skills have helped you achieve results and how they reflect your professional brand. For instance, if your selling point is that you’re an effective team leader, highlight instances where your communication skills facilitated team success or resolved conflicts. Or if your brand is about being innovative, highlight how your communication skills have been pivotal in driving change or adopting new technologies in your previous roles.

Ensuring that this theme, or “personal branding”, is reflected throughout your resume can transform a list of job duties into a compelling narrative, painting a picture of a dynamic and capable professional.

Find out how well you score on communication skills

The most important thing to remember when listing communication skills on your resume is show don’t tell . An easy way to check if you’ve actually shown hiring managers your strong communication skills is to upload your resume to the tool below. It’ll tell you if your resume has shown enough communication skills, as well as other soft skills like leadership or problem-solving skills.

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How Should you Show That you Have Communication Skills on Your Resume?

Here are the top ways to show your Communication skills on your resume. Find out relevant Communication keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

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In This Guide:

What are communication skills, why are communication skills important on your resume, what skills, activities, and accomplishments help you highlight your communication skills, communication skills: key takeaways for your resume.

Did you know that around 85% of employees and executives believe that the lack of effective collaboration and communication is the main reason for workplace failures? Or that employees who communicate effectively could increase their productivity by 25%?

Effective communication is all about having your ideas and understandings heard and doing the same in return. That, plus the ability to convince people to act upon your ideas.

Having communication skills means that you are not just exchanging information with a partner, but rather understand the emotions and intentions behind everything you hear.

Yes, this sounds intrinsic, but it actually requires a lot of situational awareness and emotional intelligence. Being an effective and respectful communicator would save you the trouble of dealing with misunderstandings and frustration.

The reason why employees are after candidates who stand out as good communicators is that effective communication is directly related to business performance.

Just imagine having a team of impatient employees who are not able to listen and negotiate well, lack a sense of humor and cannot express their ideas and position with confidence.

Well, this is the ideal recipe for project failure. Usually, business tasks require the participation of more than one person. No matter how easy or complex such a task is, the successful implementation depends on the communication skills of the responsible team.

So, employees who have communication skills are not only preferred by the managers of a company. They are the preferred colleagues, mentors, and points of contact by clients.

It’s not enough to mention that you are an attentive listener, confident speaker, or team player. Instead, to showcase your communication skills, focus on highlighting specific situations where your excellent communication has played a crucial role.

Saying the right thing at the right time can really make the difference and turn the tide in your favor. Here are some examples of skills and personal qualities that would demonstrate that you are adept at having productive and meaningful conversations.

• Positive attitude & Confidence: being able to dominate a conversation does not mean that you have to be pushy and impatient. Instead, to reach your end goal, you can rely on your charisma, confidence, and friendly attitude.
• Focus & Control of emotions: staying present in the moment of the conversations and focused on your and your partner’s objectives is essential. In addition, you should be able to stay calm even if things don’t seem to go your way.
• Non-verbal communication & Body language: while in a conversation, you can improve the way you express your ideas and goals by relying on body language. This helps the other party connect with you better and understand your viewpoints.

How to demonstrate communication skills on your resume:

• Explain how your friendly and positive attitude has boosted the levels of teamwork and has helped increase organizational productivity.
• Give examples of times when you have sought feedback from your superiors and have given constructive feedback to colleagues and interns.
• Mention some occasions when you have kept an open mind during a brainstorming session, which resulted in a better group discussion.
• Explain how your negotiations skills and empathy have helped you reach a specific goal in your workplace.
• Mention some achievements connected to collaborating with colleagues from other departments and new employees.

As much as we might think that communication skills are a natural human trait, they are not. And that is why it is important to convince your future employer that you actually possess what it takes to work in a team or to be in charge of a team.

This can be done by taking this big and vague notion of “communication skills” and breaking it down into smaller and more specific abilities and situational examples.

If you need some inspiration, take a look at the following snippets from Enhancv users who found a way to demonstrate their effective communication skills.

Just make sure that you take the time to consider what it personally means to you to be a good communicator. From then on, the examples will follow intrinsically.

Example 1: Demonstrate communication skills in the experience section

Job situation: Junior Project Manager applies for the position of a Marketing Specialist

• • Collaborated with a team of 10 fellow Junior Project Managers and 5 Senior Managers.
• • Received a small promotion within six months due to positive feedback from the business clients that I was in communication with.
• • Was in charge of managing the relations with 40 business clients, understand their needs and translate that to deliverables for the marketing team.
• • Delivered monthly presentations in front of the Senior Management team to report on progress.

These examples demonstrate that the candidate for the position of Marketing Specialist is a very emotionally intelligent and confident person.

He/she is clearly not afraid to take a lead on some projects but is also open to receiving feedback.

The fact that the candidate mentions being in charge of leading the communication with clients speaks that he/she is well able to have up-to-the-point conversations while keeping an upbeat attitude.

Being the bridge between external and internal stakeholders, meaning clients and the team, the Junior Project Manager appears as a good listener and negotiator.

Example 2: Demonstrate communication skills in the resume summary section

Job situation: Financial Analyst applies for the position of Junior Portfolio Manager

This resume example communicates determination, hard work, and resourcefulness. The fact that the applicant has been working in a small startup team highlights that he/she has successfully gone through a lot of communication and organizational challenges.

Example 3: Show your communication skills in your achievements sections

Job situation - PR Specialist applies for the position of Head of Communication

Make sure you build yourself an image of a professional communicator. Not only one that communicates effectively in the office but one that is confident to speak under the spotlight and in front of big crowds.

Example 4: Demonstrate the skill through other sections of your resume

Effective communication is something that one learns through experiences. So, include in your resume examples of hobbies and group activities. Topple that with organizations that you have been part of as well as volunteering initiatives.

If you are the kind of a public speaking person, mention some of the occasions that you have presented in front of an audience.

Last, but not least, you can include any relevant courses and certifications that you have completed. For example, a soft skills training course or a negotiations class.

It’s all about the soft skills: show that you are empathetic, understanding, and open-minded, build an impression of a person that is pleasant to talk to. Don’t forget to stress how important feedback is to you and that you proactively seek it.

Balance out between confidence and compromise: effective communication requires that parties compromise, so you should demonstrate your readiness to step back if needed. On the other side, show that you are also confident in yourself and pursue your goals.

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Top Communication Skills for Resume

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing job market, having strong communication skills is essential for success in any industry. In fact, according to recent research by Salesforce, 86% of employees and executives cite insufficiency of collaboration and communication as the main reason for workplace failures.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to make a change, highlighting your communication skills on your resume can set you apart from other candidates.

In this blog post, we will explore the top communication skills that employers are looking for and provide tips on how to effectively showcase these skills on your resume. From active listening to written communication, we’ll cover the key skills you need in order to succeed in the modern workplace. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make your communication skills shine on your resume!

Table of Contents

What Are Communication Skills?

Communication skills refer to the ability to effectively convey and receive information through various channels, such as verbal , nonverbal, and written communication.

These skills include the ability to listen actively, express ideas clearly and coherently, ask questions, provide feedback, and adapt communication style to different audiences and situations. Additionally, communication skills may involve being able to negotiate, persuade, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with others effectively.

Good communication and networking skills are essential in both personal and professional contexts and are highly valued by employers.

Top 10 Communication Skills for a Resume

Written and oral communication: Both verbal and written communication skills are essential in almost all industries and job roles. Good communication skills enable individuals to convey their ideas effectively, build relationships with others, and ultimately achieve their professional goals.

• Active listening: Paying attention to what others are saying, asking clarifying questions, and responding appropriately.
• Nonverbal communication: Being aware of and using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to effectively convey messages.
• Empathy: Understanding and acknowledging the perspectives and feelings of others.
• Adaptability: Adapting communication style to different situations and audiences.
• Respect: Showing respect for others’ opinions and ideas, and communicating in a professional and courteous manner.
• Conflict resolution: Resolving conflicts in a professional and constructive manner.
• Persuasion: Using effective reasoning and communication to influence and persuade others.
• Public speaking: the ability to deliver an effective speech or presentation to a live audience. It involves the ability to articulate ideas clearly and confidently, engage and persuade the audience, and adapt to different speaking situations.
• Feedback: Giving and receiving feedback constructively and effectively.

Written and Oral Communication

Verbal communication involves the use of words to convey information, and it can be either oral or written. Strong oral communication skills are crucial, even in jobs that don’t involve public speaking. For example, as a server in a restaurant, being able to speak clearly and establish a rapport with customers is essential for providing good service.

Additionally, written communication skills are vital for most jobs, as you will likely need to write emails, reports, or other forms of correspondence. If you have expertise in a specific type of writing, such as copywriting or editing, it’s important to highlight that on your resume or in a job interview.

Here’s how to demonstrate written and oral communication on a resume:

“Exceptional written and oral communication skills with a talent for conveying complex information in a clear and engaging manner.”

“Demonstrated ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences and contexts, from technical reports to marketing materials.”

Active Listening

Active listening is a communication skill that involves paying full attention to what someone is saying and demonstrating that you are engaged and interested in the conversation. Active listening requires more than just hearing the words that are being spoken. It involves being fully present in the conversation, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to ensure that you understand the message accurately.

Active listening can help build rapport and trust between communicators, and it can help prevent misunderstandings or miscommunications. Additionally, active listening can help individuals understand different perspectives and gain insight into other people’s experiences and ideas. Some specific techniques for active listening include making eye contact, avoiding distractions, paraphrasing or summarizing what the other person said, and acknowledging their feelings or emotions. Active listening is an essential skill for effective communication in both personal and professional contexts.

Here’s how to demonstrate active listening on a resume:

“Conducted regular one-on-one meetings with team members to actively listen to their concerns and provide guidance on professional development, resulting in a 20% increase in employee satisfaction.”

“Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather and synthesize customer feedback through active listening, informing product development decisions that led to a 15% increase in customer retention.”

Nonverbal Communication

Effective communication involves nonverbal cues such as body language, posture, gestures, eye contact patterns, and facial expressions, which can foster trust and reveal underlying emotions.

Nonverbal communication is crucial in various professions, including sales and leadership. In fact, the power of nonverbal communication was the subject of the research of the renowned behavioral psychologist Dr. Albert Mehrabian. His research resulted in the 7-38-55 rule , which indicates that only 7% of all communication is conducted via verbal communication, whereas nonverbal communication (tonality and body language) accounts for 38% and 55% respectively.

During job interviews, it’s advisable to showcase your nonverbal communication skills by maintaining eye contact, controlling facial expressions, and avoiding excessive hand gestures.

Here’s how to demonstrate nonverbal communication on a resume:

“Implemented effective communication strategies, including active listening and nonverbal cues, to manage high-pressure situations and diffuse conflicts in a team environment.”

Yes, empathy is a communication skill. It involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Empathy can help establish a connection with others, foster trust, and create a safe space for effective communication. It is especially important in situations where people may be experiencing strong emotions, such as during conflict resolution or when providing support to someone in distress. By demonstrating empathy, you can show that you care about the other person’s well-being and are willing to listen and support them.

How to demonstrate empathy on a resume:

“Developed a reputation for being approachable, patient, and attentive to the needs of clients and colleagues”

Adaptability

Adaptability is a communication skill that refers to the ability to adjust your communication style and approach to fit the situation and audience. It involves being flexible and responsive to changing circumstances, such as the needs, expectations, or preferences of different people.

Adaptability is particularly important in diverse environments where people have different backgrounds, cultures, or communication styles. It enables you to build rapport, avoid misunderstandings, and communicate effectively with people who have different perspectives or preferences.

Examples of adaptability in communication can include modifying your tone, word choice, or nonverbal cues based on the situation or audience, listening actively and responding to feedback, and being willing to change your approach when necessary.

How to demonstrate adaptability on a resume:

“Adaptable team player with a proven track record of thriving in fast-paced, dynamic environments.”

“Able to pivot quickly in response to changing priorities and maintain a positive attitude in high-pressure situations.”

Respect is a crucial element of successful communication and an essential skill to demonstrate during job interviews. It involves active listening, patience, and appropriate initiation and response in conversations. Demonstrating respect through simple gestures, such as staying focused, being polite, and minimizing distractions, can go a long way in building relationships with colleagues and recruiters.

During job interviews, interrupting the recruiter or going off-topic is considered rude and may harm your chances of getting the job. Therefore, showing respect by being attentive and focused during the interview can make a positive impression and increase your chances of success.

How to demonstrate respect on a resume:

“Skilled in effective and respectful communication with diverse audiences, from team members to clients and stakeholders.”

“Demonstrated ability to navigate complex conversations with empathy, tact, and professionalism.”

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is an important communication skill on a resume because it demonstrates an ability to effectively manage and resolve disagreements or disputes in the workplace. This skill is highly valued by employers as it can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and stronger relationships among team members. In addition, the ability to handle conflicts in a calm and professional manner can showcase a candidate’s leadership potential and ability to work well under pressure.

Here’s how to demonstrate conflict resolution on a resume:

“Skilled in conflict resolution, with a proven track record of successfully navigating challenging conversations with tact and empathy.”

“Experienced in using active listening, problem-solving, and negotiation skills to find win-win solutions in high-pressure situations.”

Persuasion is an important communication skill in the workplace because it can help individuals influence others and achieve their goals. Effective persuasion skills can help individuals sell ideas, products or services, negotiate contracts, motivate employees, and convince stakeholders to support a particular course of action.

This skill is particularly valuable for individuals in leadership, sales, marketing, and customer service roles, as well as for those who need to work collaboratively with others to achieve common objectives. By mastering the art of persuasion, individuals can become more influential and successful in their careers.

Here’s how to demonstrate persuasion on a resume:

“Adept at crafting persuasive arguments and delivering compelling presentations to diverse audiences.”

“Proven track record of using data-driven insights and compelling storytelling to influence key stakeholders and drive business results.”

Public speaking

Public speaking is an important communication skill in the workplace because it enables individuals to effectively communicate their ideas, expertise, and vision to their colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. It is a crucial skill for professionals in a wide range of fields, from sales and marketing to education and politics, as well as for those in leadership positions who need to inspire and motivate their teams. Effective public speaking can help individuals build their credibility, establish themselves as thought leaders, and connect with their audience on a personal level. It can also lead to career advancement opportunities, as those who are able to deliver compelling and persuasive presentations are often seen as more capable and competent by their superiors.

Here’s how to demonstrate public skills on a resume:

“Experienced public speaker with strong presentation and facilitation skills for audiences of all sizes.”

“Adept at developing and delivering clear, concise, and engaging presentations that drive knowledge transfer and inspire action.”

Providing and accepting feedback is an essential communication skill that requires active listening, respect, open-mindedness, and teamwork. To encourage constructive feedback, it is necessary to truly understand the speaker’s meaning, respect their opinion, and remain open-minded. When receiving feedback from a supervisor, it is important to listen and accept the evaluation without judgment, and ask clarifying questions at the end to make the process as constructive as possible. When giving feedback to a colleague, a fact-based evaluation should be used, offering time for them to respond and considering their needs, with negative feedback provided discreetly. The ability to give and take feedback is essential for career success, as it reflects a willingness to learn, adapt, accept constructive criticism, and engage in critical reasoning.

Here’s how to demonstrate feedback on a resume:

“Experienced in giving and receiving constructive feedback to drive personal and team development.”

“Adept at creating a culture of feedback that fosters open and honest communication and continuous improvement.”

How to Describe Communication Skills on a Resume

When describing communication skills on a resume, it’s important to be clear and specific about the types of communication that you excel in. Here are some tips for effectively describing communication skills on a resume:

Tailor your language to the job description: Look at the job description and identify the specific communication skills that the employer is looking for, such as public speaking, active listening, conflict resolution, or persuasion. Use similar keywords and phrases to describe your skills.

Use concrete examples: Provide specific examples of how you have used your communication skills in past jobs or other experiences, such as leading a team meeting, giving a presentation, or resolving a conflict. Use metrics or other data to show the impact of your communication skills on the organization.

Be concise: Keep your descriptions brief and to the point, using bullet points or short sentences to convey your skills and accomplishments. Use action verbs to describe what you have done, such as “collaborated,” “negotiated,” or “facilitated.”

Highlight your soft skills: Soft skills such as active listening, empathy, and emotional intelligence are highly valued by employers, so be sure to include these in your description of communication skills. Provide examples of how you have used these skills in the past to achieve results or build strong relationships.

Proofread: Ensure that your descriptions are error-free, well-organized, and easy to read. Use a clear, legible font and avoid cluttered or complex formatting.

20 Phrases for Describing Communication Skills on a Resume

• “Excellent verbal and written communication skills”
• “Strong interpersonal skills “
• “Exceptional listening skills”
• “Articulate and clear communicator”
• “Comfortable speaking in public or presenting to groups”
• “Effective at communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences”
• “Skilled in facilitating group discussions or meetings”
• “Proficient in professional email communication”
• “Experienced in negotiating and persuading”
• “Active and engaged listener”
• “Comfortable working in a team environment”
• “Accustomed to adapting communication style to meet various audiences”
• “Skilled in conflict resolution and problem-solving through communication”
• “Experienced in giving constructive feedback and criticism”
• “Knowledgeable in nonverbal communication cues”
• “Effective at communicating empathy and understanding”
• “Fluent in multiple languages”
• “Adept at creating and delivering effective presentations”
• “Experienced in active listening and paraphrasing”
• “Proficient in using various communication technologies and tools.”

Communication vs. Effective Communication

Communication in the workplace refers to the exchange of information or ideas between individuals or groups.

Effective communication, on the other hand, means conveying messages clearly, accurately, and in a way that is easily understood by the receiver, leading to a desired outcome. According to a study by Pumble, teams who master effective communication can increase their productivity by as much as 25%.

Effective communication involves not only the transmission of information but also the ability to actively listen, provide feedback, and adjust communication styles as needed to ensure the message is understood.

Why You Need Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential in the workplace for several reasons:

• Collaboration and teamwork: Effective communication skills enable individuals to work together and collaborate effectively as a team, share ideas, and work towards a common goal.
• Better productivity: Good communication reduces misunderstandings and errors, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
• Improved customer relations: Communication skills are critical in customer service, ensuring that customer needs are understood, and their issues are addressed promptly.
• Career advancement: Effective communication skills are often a requirement for leadership positions in organizations. Strong communicators are often considered for promotion as they can effectively convey their ideas to colleagues and management.
• Building relationships: Communication skills are essential for building relationships in the workplace, including networking , negotiating, and managing conflict.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills?

There are several things you can do to improve your communication skills. Namely:

Practice active listening: Pay close attention to what others are saying and respond appropriately.

Use clear and concise language: Avoid using complicated or jargon-filled language and focus on being straightforward and to the point.

Be aware of your body language: Nonverbal cues such as eye contact, posture, and facial expressions can impact how your message is received.

Be empathetic: Try to understand the perspective of the person you are communicating with, and respond in a way that shows you value their thoughts and feelings.

Practice, practice, practice: The more you communicate, the better you will become. Seek out opportunities to practice, such as in public speaking or social situations.

Get feedback: Ask for feedback from others to help you identify areas where you can improve your communication skills.

Read and write: Reading and writing can improve your vocabulary and help you communicate more effectively.

Take a course or workshop: Consider taking a course or workshop in communication skills to learn new techniques and strategies.

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Top Communication Skills to Add On Your Resume

Modern employers seek potential hires with multiple soft skills, but amongst all these abilities, effective communication is prioritized. Essentially, capitalizing on this factor indicates that you can work with a team and communicate task progress excellently when necessary. 

Your proficiency in your career’s skills is irrelevant if you cannot effectively interact with team members, managers, and stakeholders.

Therefore, displaying such in-demand soft skills on your resume when applying for a job boosts your chances of landing an interview exponentially. 

However, merely stating “I communicate effectively” is insufficient to convince hiring managers that you possess this skill. For this reason, this ResumeGiants article will present information on how to put and list communication skills on your resume that employers will love.

In this article, you will find:

What are Communication Skills?

Strong communication skills go beyond mere verbal abilities, involving speaking, listening, empathizing, and observing. These skills are essential for positions in which candidates will have to work directly with customers (like bartending or flight attendants ) as well as for other jobs requiring the candidates to be able to express their message with clarity.

These factors combine to facilitate the effective transfer of information at a workplace , ensuring tasks are done and problems tackled adequately. 

It’s worth noting that effective communication extends to other forms of interactions like email, social media, and phone conversations.

Being proficient in conveying your thoughts and receiving suggestions places you as a valuable businessperson. 

How to Describe Communication Skills on a Resume 

A well-written resume demonstrates your practical communication skills; therefore, you must display this factor on the document. Fortunately, you can accomplish this goal by finding places throughout the resume to hunt for this ability. 

Ford togs all, your writing and structure hint at effective communication on writing, since you can communicate factors about yourself in a clear-cut manner. 

Another effective option is to find places throughout your resume to explain scenarios where you listened, shared ideas, and collaborated effectively to complete tasks in a workplace. 

Other recommendations for conveying your communication skills on a resume include:

• Highlight your communication abilities in the section for professional skills 
• Indicate how good you are as a communicator in the resume summary statement of your resume (if included)
• Use an example or real scenarios that rely on your practical communication skills
• Describe ways you inspired or motivated your team to complete a project or reach a goal 
• Mention times when you negotiated or completed business deals. 

Remember that skills or experiences in marketing, sales, or advertising are worth mentioning since they require you to be a good communicator. 

Communication Skills Examples to Include on Your Resume

Workplace communication is a broad term that can be broken down into 3 individual categories : verbal, interpersonal, and written communication. More information is below!

1. Verbal Communication Skills

Verbal communication involves spoken words between two or more individuals. The option is tricky because it relies on the tone of voice, inflection, and pronunciation. Understanding these factors leads you closer to better interactions.

Some examples of verbal communication include:

• Relatability (Clarity of expressions) 

Relatability, also known as clarity of expressions, involves speaking clearly to each individual in your audience in a way that they understand. That includes avoiding slang, unnecessary jokes, digression, etc. 

Being able to present your ideas, opinions, and questions in short and straightforward sentences is a component of effective communication. This ability indicates that your words are coherent and waste no time accomplishing their objective. 

Your message weakens when uttered without confidence, as your audience is assured of your statements. Therefore, showing your employer that each sentence leaves your lips gives them something to consider.

• Conflict management

It’s inevitable for conflict to arise in a gathering of people with different perspectives, beliefs, and personalities. However, showing the hiring manager that you’re a skilled individual that understands how to de-escalate a situation makes you a valuable candidate for the office culture. 

• Inquisitive

Asking the right question during conversations is another vital element of effective verbal communication. It lets you identify pain points and clarify misconceptions quickly. 

2. Written Communication Skills

Instead of vocally presenting words, written communication communicates via letters, whether handwritten or typed . Offices often use this method of interaction via official documents, emails, and more. It’s a significant part of Corporate dialogues. 

Some examples of written communication skills include:

• Business Writing

A thorough understanding of business writing indicates that you are proficient in incorporating vocabulary. This factor makes you a valuable communicator, especially for emails and reports.

• Content Writing

Adding content writing as a corporate skill indicates that you are proficient in English and possess sharp research skills. 

Editing is another skill that indicates your ability to write clearly, since it requires you to understand what good communication reads like. 

• Report Writing

Businesses perform numerous reports on tasks and projects; therefore, showing that you understand this part of the assignment can significantly contribute to your value as a potential hire. 

3. Non-verbal Communication Skills

Non-verbal communication involves transmitting thoughts via medians like touch and sight . Essentially, this option requires eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and more. 

Some examples of Non-verbal communication include:

• Creative Thinking

Critical thinking pairs well with conflict management as it lets you assess a situation and produce a positive result. So it’s worth mentioning in your resume. 

• Emotional Intelligence

Building rapport and having conversations that produce results is impossible without proper awareness of each person’s emotions. Failure to consider this factor can result in misunderstandings and unintended reactions.

Conveying the truth in awkward or emotionally tasking situations is essential for keeping your company out of trouble. Honesty is much-needed in any job.

Connecting with the correct people allows for both personal and business growth. An excellent skill for business people to possess. 

• Responsiveness

Often, people engage in interaction but pay little to no attention to the information presented. Showing that you’re attentive to your resume allows recruiters to know that you value conversations and make an effort to understand what’s being communicated. 

Written Communication Skill Examples

As previously mentioned, written communication is an interaction propagated via handwritten or typed letters. This form of communication is dominant in corporate environments , as notes and reports travel between departments. 

Here is some example of skills in this category:

• Presentation Writing
• Proofreading
• Copywriting
• Poetry Writing
• Financial Report Writing
• Pitch Deck Writing
• Creative Writing

Communication Skills on a Resume: Conclusion

Amongst many skills in your resume , effective communication occupies a significant role in raising your chances of getting an interview.

For this reason, emphasize this ability on your document, and hopefully, the tips presented above will help you accomplish the goal of conveying your communication skills. 

Also, consider using our free online resume builder to save time on constructing your own document.

Our platform has multiple resume templates that contain the structure and format of a well-written document. Use ResumeGiants builder and create a visually appealing resume today. 

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10 Communication Skills for Your Resume

Candidates who show how they use communication skills to persuade and collaborate give employers a better gauge of their qualifications.

Getty Images

Communication skills are especially critical when remote colleagues or customers do not see body language and other in-person visual cues to help interpret your message.

In the workplace, effective employees leverage versatile communication skills to accomplish daily tasks. These communication skills facilitate the exchange of information verbally, nonverbally, visually or through writing to achieve a desired outcome.

Communication skills are especially critical when remote colleagues or customers do not see body language and other in-person visual cues to help interpret your message. So, how do you highlight those essential communication skills on a resume? Here's what to know.

What Are Communication Skills?

Simply put, communication skills are the ability to convey information and ideas effectively through written, verbal, nonverbal or visual mediums. People with strong communication skills in the workplace generally excel at the following:

• Crafting well-structured emails, reports or memos that convey the intended message clearly and concisely. 
• Confidently engaging in one-on-one conversations, meetings or telephone dialogue. 
• Interpreting body language, facial expressions and gestures that often supplement or even supersede spoken word.
• Effectively using visual aids like charts, diagrams, drawings or infographics to represent data and ideas.

Communication skills are essential because they foster clear understanding between team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding tasks and expectations. Good communication also promotes team collaboration, builds relationships and trust among employees, reduces misunderstandings and can often lead to a more efficient workplace.

Key Communication Skills to Add to Your Resume

Communication skills go beyond just being able to speak and write effectively. They also include active listening, persuasion and the ability to adapt your communication style to different situations. Here are 10 must-have communication skills to show on your resume.

• Inclusivity.
• Empathetic listening.
• Remote collaboration.
• Analytical expression.
• Written communication.
• Verbal communication.
• Group communications.
• Persuasion.
• Problem-solving.

1. Inclusivity

Highlight how you support and collaborate with others who are different from you. For example, how have you led productive meetings for customers across time zones or unified business needs with others who have vastly different priorities, roles and even languages? Demonstrate your methods for including others to improve overall outcomes.

Example: “Led a diverse team of 10 individuals spanning different divisions and backgrounds. Successfully implemented an inclusive team communication strategy that fostered open dialogue and mutual respect, which resulted in a 20% increase in project completion efficiency.”

2. Empathetic Listening

Listening is often more important for success in business than talking. In your resume, reflect examples of how you understand and incorporate perspectives and viewpoints that differ from your own.

Example: “As a customer service representative at (Company), I was praised for my ability to empathize with customers. This skill was reflected in my consistently high feedback scores, averaging 4.8 out of 5 for customer satisfaction.”

3. Remote Collaboration

Remote interaction and meetings can make it tricker to achieve desired results, so capturing your comfort and success with virtual relationships is a must. Be sure to include how you have used communication tools such as Teams or Slack to support your value in virtual or remote work settings. It is also critical to show your comfort with video and conference call meetings and tools such as Zoom, Teams, GoToMeeting and Google Hangouts.

Example: “Successfully led a team of six members in five different time zones at (Company). Implemented daily stand-up meetings and weekly progress reports using collaborative software, leading to a 30% increase in on-time delivery.”

4. Analytical Expression

Your resume can be an opportunity to show how you use data insights to influence or guide teams and decisions. Give examples of how you communicated your analysis – in reports, meetings, using graphics or presentations. Show key questions you analyzed, how you shared your knowledge, and what benefits your company or clients gained to help you prove this skill.

Example: “Led a team of five in a market research project for a new product launch. Performed an in-depth analysis of customer feedback and buying patterns, then communicated the results in a concise report that significantly influenced the marketing strategy. Our efforts ultimately led to a 20% increase in sales upon product launch.”

5. Written Communication

Your resume is the first sample of your writing, so make sure it is well-written, well-edited, concise and coherent. In addition to demonstrating excellent resume writing, look for opportunities to describe any written communication in your experience and the impact of your work. Show both what you did and why it is of value.

The ways writing can impact results and daily operations are numerous. Capture how your written communication adds the most value to help a potential employer see how you could complement their team.

Example: “As a content writer at (Company), I crafted over 100 well-researched articles and blogs, contributing to a 10% increase in website traffic.”

6. Verbal Communication

While the interview process will test your verbal communication, there are many options to weave verbal communication strengths into your resume. Include everyday verbal communication needed to guide co-workers, managers, direct reports and customers.

Example: “As a marketing coordinator, I presented marketing strategies and campaign results to stakeholders during weekly meetings and negotiated with over 50 vendors for event sponsorships, resulting in a 30% increase in the company's marketing reach.”

7. Group Communications

These examples include your contributions in small groups, productivity and status check meetings, and formal presentations. List whether your experience is primarily in person or if you frequently communicate via phone, video or more formally hosted meetings. Be sure to include if (and how frequently) you present your insights and analysis verbally. In addition to highlighting the types of interactions, also show the positive impacts from your contribution.

Example: “As a project manager, I led a cross-functional team of 15 members on a complex project that spanned six months. By facilitating weekly team meetings and developing clear group communication strategies, we completed the project one week before the deadline and stayed within budget.”

8. Training

Do you train or play a role in the development of others? Whether you've done so formally as a trainer or informally as a mentor, communicating in a way that helps others to grow, develop and perform better at work is of interest to potential employers.

Example: “As team lead at (Company), I developed and implemented a training program for recruits that improved the productivity of new hires by 30% and reduced their time to proficiency by 25%.”

9. Persuasion

Your resume is an ideal place to show how your skills of persuasion make you an asset. For example, were you able to change a previously accepted practice or institute a new process that had a positive impact? Did you play a role in improving work culture or recruiting talented new employees? Did you convince management to invest in a new productivity tool even though it was not approved initially in the budget?

Example: “Successfully negotiated a new contract with a key supplier, achieving a 20% reduction in costs while maintaining product quality.”

10. Problem-Solving

Use your resume to show how you approach problem-solving and how this skill helps you solve business problems. Include how you assess issues, collaborate with others, build consensus and ultimately get to a result.

Example: “As a customer service representative at (Company), I initiated a detailed analysis of a client’s issue, identified its root cause and worked with the tech team to devise a solution. This approach resolved the client's immediate issue and led to the development of a troubleshooting protocol that reduced similar complaints by 30%."

Actionable Tips for Improving Your Communication Skills

Follow these tips to sharpen your communication skills and impress your future employer.

Use the Art of Storytelling  

Storytelling isn't just for bedtime tales or campfires. It can also be an effective tool for enhancing your communication skills at work. When you share a story, you paint a vivid picture with words, which makes your message more engaging, relatable and easy to understand.

“Stories are memorable and can create a deeper connection with the audience, making messages impactful,” says Maria Tomas-Keegan, CEO and career coach at Transition and Thrive With Maria. “Next time you're giving a presentation or explaining a concept, weave in a personal story or analogy. It can be as simple as comparing a work project to a personal experience or using a metaphor that paints a clearer picture."

Participate in a Lunch-and-Learn Series

Organize or participate in a lunch-and-learn series where you talk about the work you do. Not only will your colleagues gain a better understanding of your role within the company, but it’ll also provide an opportunity for you to polish your public speaking skills.

“You have expertise that others within the company may want to learn more about," says Neil Thompson, public speaking coach and founder of training platform Teach The Geek. "And if a lunch-and-learn event doesn’t exist at your workplace, create it and invite others to talk about what they do."

Be Nondirective

Adopt a nondirective approach to be a better communicator in the workplace, says William Sipling, director of workforce transformation and chief brand storyteller at Hubstaff, which helps businesses reach productivity goals.

According to Sipling, a nondirective communication approach is common in counseling and therapy, and it’s an approach that focuses on information gathering and active listening. “It’s not heavy on advice-giving because it assumes the person you’re talking with is an expert on what they’re bringing to you,” he emphasizes.

“When I work with senior or experienced subject matter experts, I start from a nondirective standpoint. I help them use their experience to uncover a solution and take them out of functional fixedness into a new, potentially solutions-oriented environment,” Sipling says.

Be Proactive and Pay Attention to Patterns

In fast-paced workplace environments like hospitals, tasks and responsibilities can often vary from day to day, creating an element of unpredictability. But there’s generally a level of predictability in nonverbal cues and patterns in every workplace, says Jenny Morehead, CEO of Flex HR, a human resource outsourcing and consulting firm.

By recognizing and effectively communicating these patterns to team members, you can anticipate what lies ahead and prepare accordingly. Morehead suggests using phrases such as, “We’ve seen this pattern before, so here is how we’re going to handle it” to provide a clear plan of action.

Ask Clarifying Questions

“Active listening doesn’t mean staying quiet while the other person is talking and then you jump in as soon as they’re done. It means digesting what they’re saying, focusing, pondering it and asking questions for more understanding,” says Kristie Stocker, a success coach and leadership consultant with 20 years of experience in marketing and communication.

If you’re confused about something the other person is saying, Stocker suggests using the sentence, “So what you’re saying is ...” to give them a chance to clarify their response. Doing so demonstrates you're fully invested in the conversation and not simply nodding along without genuinely understanding what's being said.

9 Ways to Be a Likable Interviewee

Geoff Williams May 25, 2023

Tags: careers , Applying , Interviewing , resumes

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Top 11 Communication Skills (For Your Life & Career)

Communication skills are among recruiters’ favorites, no matter the industry. 

Pretty normal, considering that communication skills have a huge impact on your work. 

They define how you convey and receive information, interact with others and even tackle issues such as potential conflicts in the workplace. 

In the digital age, communication skills are even more essential. 

Workers today should learn how to effectively exchange information through email, Zoom meetings, and social media as well as in-person, if they want to keep up with the shifting work dynamics.  

So, do you want to improve your communication skills, and portray them in such a way that’ll land you any job?

Top 11 Communication Skills for Any Job

• What Are Communication Skills, Exactly?
• How to Improve Communication Skills
• How to Make Your Communication Skills Stand Out

So, let’s dive right in!

Communication is a core skill involving a wide range of “sub-skills” essential for the workplace and for the hiring process that will get you there. 

Here are the top 11 communication sub-skills that are most in-demand in 2024:

#1. Written And Oral Communication

Verbal communication is using words to convey information and it includes both written and oral communication . 

Oral communication skills mean that you can speak clearly, concisely, and without misinterpretation. That’s essential even if your job isn’t centered around speaking. Say, you’re the server at a restaurant. Having oral communication skills is a must if you want to establish rapport with your customers and provide a good service.

Written communication is just as important. While there may be a few jobs that don’t require writing a single word, in 90% of cases you’ll need to write when:

• Writing emails to your colleagues
• Drafting a report for your boss
• Communicating with customers via email

If you’re skilled at a particular kind of writing, such as copywriting, or editing, make sure to mention that on your resume or your job interview.  

#2. Presentation 

No, having “presentation skills” doesn't just mean you’re good at presenting a PPT presentation in front of your colleagues.

Presentation skills are also about how you present your ideas and intentions in the workplace, or about how you present yourself in a job interview. As such, it’s another must-have communication skill for your resume, whatever your field of work might be.

Presentation skills are useful for all sorts of situations, including:

• Software engineers explaining how their code works.
• Statistician presenting their findings to other employees
• Sales manager explaining to a client why they need a product

 #3. Active Listening

Active listening requires paying close attention to the speaker by engaging with them to ensure you’re getting the essence of the conversation. It additionally involves removing all other distractions and asking clarifying questions, thus making them feel heard. 

Active listening doesn’t come in handy only in jobs like customer service, or design, where understanding and making clients feel heard is integral. Active listening is also needed if you are to successfully interact with your colleagues, succeed in the workplace, or even ace your job interview.   

If you ask us, active listening skills give you extra points as a candidate no matter your profession (and you should definitely add it to your resume).

#4. Nonverbal Communication 

Communication consists of much more than just speaking. It involves body language, posture, gestures, eye contact patterns, and facial expressions, among others. 

This type of communication often helps more in inciting trust among your coworkers, or from clients, than verbal communication. At the same time, it makes it possible for you to see beyond what a person is saying and right into what they mean, or feel. 

As you can imagine, nonverbal communication is a skill that comes in handy for the vast majority of professions (especially sales or leadership roles), not just the world of business. 

Instead of adding it to your resume, aim to demonstrate your nonverbal communication skills during your job interviews. This includes maintaining eye contact, avoiding hand gestures, or controlling your facial emotions.  

#5. Feedback 

Feedback - both providing and accepting it - is a skill that goes hand in hand with several other communication components such as active listening, respect, open-mindedness, and teamwork. Truly encouraging feedback isn’t possible without really understanding what the speaker means, respecting their opinion, and keeping an open mind.     

So, for example, if you were receiving feedback from a supervisor, you’d listen and accept the evaluation without judgment - even if you didn’t agree. You wouldn’t interrupt them, but you’d wait until the end to ask clarifying questions to make the process as constructive as possible.  

On the other hand, if you were the one giving feedback to a colleague, you’d do so through a fact-based evaluation and you’d offer them time to respond. You’d additionally consider their needs and offer negative feedback discreetly. 

Being able to give/take feedback is pretty much a guarantee for career success. That’s because it’s tied with the willingness to learn, the ability to adapt, the openness to accept constructive criticism, and the critical reasoning that it takes to provide it.  

#6. Respect  

Respect is one of the fundamentals of successful communication and the communication skill to bring along on the job interview. It involves active listening and patience (among others) and it’s vital if you are to be considered for - or keep - any type of job.  

Being respectful is about letting others speak and knowing when to initiate conversation or respond. Little gestures can go a long way to respecting recruiters and colleagues alike - staying focused and removing all distractions or being polite are just two among many. 

When it comes to the job interview, interrupting recruiters or wasting their time by going off-topic are signs of rudeness and will most likely cost you the job. 

#7. Confidence

Confidence is the next skill in line necessary for a good first impression during your job interview. And if you’re wondering - yes, you can be respectful and confident at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive, just equally important. 

Confidence is a character trait that shows you’re sure about your words, actions, and decisions - and that’s something people respond to positively. 

If you’re not naturally confident, worry not - there are methods to appear confident even if you don’t feel like it.

Some ways to appear more confident include:

• Maintaining eye contact during the job interview
• Sitting up straight with open shoulders
• Speaking in a friendly - but firm - tone of voice
• Preparing in advance so you don’t stumble on your words

If, on the other hand, you’re the naturally confident type, keep in mind not to overdo it with bravado. Sometimes, too much confidence can come across as arrogance or rudeness and that’s not going to sit right with most people. 

#8. Clarity 

Clarity is an indispensable part of oral communication. It involves structuring your thoughts logically and using the right words to convey them as effectively as possible. 

If you can’t communicate clearly, be it due to a hectic thought pattern or inappropriate language, your job interviews will suffer. 

Imagine, for example, giving a complicated answer to a simple question, or using street jargon ( “hey interview fam, nice to meetcha” ). 

#9. Honesty 

Honesty is a communication skill you should strive to incorporate in all aspects of your professional life. 

As a rule of thumb, honesty should characterize your work ethic for obvious reasons, the most important being that lying about your skills and qualifications is the least dependable method for success. You can rest assured that, at some point, the truth will come out. 

Being honest with your colleagues and supervisors about anything work-related, on the other hand, shows that you value transparency. It also proves that you are confident to accept your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions. 

#10. Friendliness 

You might be wondering how one can be both friendly and professional during a job interview. Well, friendliness doesn’t have to stand in the way of your professionalism, just like confidence doesn’t stand in the way of politeness.   

Friendliness during your interview will show recruiters that you are cooperative, open-minded, and a good team member - something sought after in all employees. More importantly, you don’t have to go overboard to convey that you are a friendly person; a warm smile, a genuine greeting, or wishing a good day are enough to show it!

#11. Public Speaking

Public speaking is many people’s worst fear. Actually, studies show public speaking is often feared more than death ! 

And, to be fair, even the most extroverted among us will get an increased heart rate and sweaty palms when they need to address a crowd.

Since public speaking is one of the most important communication skills (whether you’re doing a presentation at work or telling a story to your friends), we thought we’d provide some tips on how to get better at it: 

• Prepare in advance. Being nervous before your speech doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll do a bad job! Everyone gets nervous before addressing a crowd, but as long as you prepare in advance by practicing your presentation with people you feel comfortable with, you should be more than ready to deliver!
• Know your audience. Learn as much as possible for your audience in order to tailor your choice of words, information amount, and other elements of your speech accordingly. For example, if you’re presenting to a crowd of Millenials for your Journalism 101 class, you’d be better off keeping your speech short, to the point, and light-hearted. You can even throw in some pop-culture references, memes, or jokes to make the speech even more engaging. If, on the other hand, you’re talking about a more serious topic (e.g. capital punishment), then you’d want to maintain a bit more of a serious tone, even if it’s for a class.
• Organize your material. Create the framework for your presentation, including the topic, purpose, general idea, and main points, to grab the attention of your audience right off the bat.
• Be attentive to feedback and adapt to it. Is your audience struggling to keep up with what you’re saying? Slow down! Are they laughing at your jokes? Keep em’ coming!
• Let your personality shine through. Your audience will greatly like your speech if you act like yourself. Work your quirks, mannerisms, and personality into your speech and you’ll seem a whole lot more genuine.
• Don’t read from the text. Reading directly from a script is bound to keep you from impacting the crowd - you’ll just seem like a robot reading a script. Instead of directly reading from your notes, create a thorough outline to guide you through your speech instead (without diving too much into specifics).
• Take advantage of non-verbal communication. What you do with your hands and voice matters, just like any other type of non-verbal cue. As such, make sure to pay attention to how you use your body language, preferably by practicing in advance.
• Grab attention from the get-go. A startling stat, personal story, or relevant anecdote will help you grab your audience’s attention from the start. Avoid saying something generic like “here’s what I’ll be talking about today.”
• Conclude dynamically. Whether we like it or not, most people will remember the conclusion of your presentation more than anything else. Make it memorable by including a strong statement.
• Take advantage of audio-visual aids. Audio and visuals, like videos that are relevant to your speech or music that’s related to what you’re saying, can reinforce your message. Use these sparingly, though, you don’t want to distract or overwhelm your audience.

There’s a wide range of skills out there! Explore which might be of use to you with our guide to 101+ essential skills to put on a resume ! 

What Are Communication Skills? 

Communication is defined as the ability to convey or share ideas and feelings effectively.  

Several experts agree that communication skills include: 

• Conveying messages without misinterpretation or misleading others
• Effectively communicating with a range of people from all walks of life
• Navigating from casual or informal communication to formal communication
• Showing language mastery and command

It is not surprising, then, that effective communication and interpersonal competencies continue to be among the top skills employers seek , listing them as lifelines for workplace success. 

But what exactly does effective communication in the workplace mean? 

Effective Communication in the Workplace 

Effective communication in the workplace is the ability to exchange and create a free flow of information with and among various stakeholders at all organizational levels to produce impactful outcomes. 

The benefits of effective workplace communication include: 

• Improved productivity
• Increased morale
• Higher employee satisfaction
• Greater trust in management
• Stronger teamwork
• Higher employee engagement

A global study from Towers Watson even calculated the numbers, finding that companies with effective internal communication strategies are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. 

So, when employers hire good communicators, they are also investing in their long-term success. Undoubtedly, effective communication is and will continue to be essential - which means you should start working on improving yours ASAP!

How to Improve Your Communication Skills? 

Just like pretty much everything else in life, communication skills can also improve with practice. So if you’re worried about yours not being up to par, just follow the tips we’ve listed and keep in mind that practice makes perfect. 

#1. Learn to Listen

Were you ever in a conversation that felt as if you were talking to a brick wall? Then you know how frustrating it is when someone just won’t - or doesn’t know how to - listen.

Listening is literally half of the communication process - just like it takes two to tango, it takes a clear speaker and an active listener for effective communication to happen. 

However, listening takes way more patience than talking, while actually listening instead of pretending to listen is something very few people do. This puts a strain on communication. 

Well, just like you’d choose a friend who’s a good listener over someone who just wants to put in their two cents, you should practice active listening as much as possible to improve your communication.  

Here are some tips to improve your listening skills:

• Focus on the speaker by giving them your full attention 
• Avoid all other distractions , like your phone, laptop, or another project
• Ask clarifying questions in case you don’t understand what’s being said - that’ll also show that the conversation is engaging 
• Paraphrase the speaker’s words to ensure nothing gets lost in translation, by using phrases like “so, what you’re saying is…” or “let me see if I get this right, you mean that…” 

Following these tips will improve the quality of your communication even outside the workplace.

#2. Notice Nonverbal Cues 

Studies have claimed that nonverbal communication accounts for up to 93% of the impact of any verbal message . This means that when someone is talking, they’re saying much more through their body language. 

Knowing how to read the different types of nonverbal communication will significantly improve the quality of your communication. 

It’s not an easy task, of course - people take classes to learn how to read body language. But you can begin improving by paying attention to your own nonverbal cues when you speak, and to those of the people around you. 

When observing yourself:  

• Do you make and keep eye contact with the speaker? 
• How do you position yourself? 
• Does your position and tone of voice depend on who you talk to?

When observing others: 

• Do certain people make you feel heard more than others? 
• What do those people do to make you feel that way?
• Do certain people make communication unpleasant and what is it they do to make you feel that way?

These observations can help you pinpoint the nonverbal cues that have a positive and negative effect on communication and can be a good starting point for you to improve your nonverbal communication skills. 

Finally, here are some additional tips on how to improve: 

• Be still when you speak. As a rule of thumb, fidgeting makes you look unsure of yourself or wary of the environment. 
• Establish eye contact. Usually, avoiding eye contact shows you have something to hide. What you want to do is focus on people when you want to make a point, and look them in the eye both when you speak and listen. 
• Be non-reactive. During stressful or intense situations, it’s optimal to keep your emotions in check. This means maintaining a calm tone of voice and a poker face. 

#3. Practice Oral Communication 

You can never be too good at speaking. This is mainly because we take our oral skills for granted. 

Having used words our entire lives, we rarely stop to wonder whether our verbal communication is effective. Instead, we tend to blame the listener for not understanding or just assume that we have different opinions.  

This is why you should never cease to improve your verbal communication. Again, the first step involves observing yourself and others. 

Then, start paying attention to the content of what you say:

Do you make your point effectively? Do you take too long to get to the point? Do you convey your thoughts clearly? 

In addition, follow these tips: 

• Think before you speak . Especially in the workplace, but also during your job interview, it’s important to know what you want to say in advance. We don’t mean following a script, but having a clear idea can significantly help to get your point across. And yes - it’s totally OK to tell your interviewer, “hmm, give me a minute to think about this.”
• Be concise. Time is the most valuable asset and in many cases, we waste it unnecessarily. A good verbal communicator is someone who can be brief, yet specific. This means giving just the right amount of information for the other person to understand, without taking too much of their time. 
• Consider other perspectives . The better you can play devil’s advocate, the more convincing your arguments can get. Being able to take other perspectives into account can do wonders for your verbal communication, especially when you try to persuade or convince someone. 

Tips to Make Your Communication Skills Stand Out

Being a good communicator is one thing. Making sure prospective employers know this and appreciate you for it, though, is something else entirely.

Here are some of our top tips on having your communication skills stand out in a job application: 

• Match your communication skills to the job. Check the job description with an eye out for any communication skills highlighted in the requirements. Out of the many communication sub-skills, only list the ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for on your resume. Personalize the cover letter accordingly too.  
• Use the job interview to your advantage. The thing with most communication skills is, they’re more convincing when you show instead of just tell. So, listing “confidence,” “friendliness” or “oral communication” on your resume won’t yield as many results as being confident and reasonably friendly during the interview, or proving that your oral communication is on-point. So, make sure to prepare in advance and bring your A-game to your job interview.  
• Keep it up after you’re hired . Getting the job doesn’t mean you stop working on your communication skills. On the contrary, the workplace is where they will really be put to the test - by colleagues, supervisors, and clients/customers alike. So keep practicing your communication skills at work and don’t miss a chance to showcase them by being an active listener at meetings, respectful towards your colleagues, and open to accepting and providing feedback!

Key Takeaways

• Communication is defined as the ability to convey or share ideas and feelings effectively.
• Effective communication in the workplace is the ability to effectively exchange and create a free flow of information with and among various stakeholders at all organizational levels to produce impactful outcomes. 
• Some of the most important communication skills for any job are presentation, active listening, nonverbal communication, giving/taking feedback, and others.
• Improve your communication skills by learning how to listen, noticing nonverbal cues, and practicing oral communication.

Want to start your career on the right track? We are committed to helping you with that. Our career blog has all the job-related advice you need to know. Or, check out some of our top-ranking guides: 

• CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference?
• How to Land Your Dream Job: 3 Proven Strategies that Get Results

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