What is communicative ability

Psychology. Communicative abilities are what?

It’s not a secret for anyone that a person’s success isnot only his life’s luck and the strength of his character. The determining factor in many cases is his relationship with others. And communication skills are a guarantee of good relations. On how much they are developed, the success of a person depends both in personal and in professional sphere.

Communication skills

Communication skills are skillscommunication with surrounding people with the help of words and without them: through facial expressions, gestures, body language and image. This includes both the correct sending of signals and their correct acceptance.

Effective communication skills arethe foundation of success in almost all areas of life. If they have developed harmoniously over the course of their life, they will become the key to establishing all interpersonal relationships, both personal and business.

Communicative abilities of the person: psychology and the period of development

Communicative abilities begin to developin humans almost immediately after birth. It is believed that the earlier a child learns to talk, the easier it will interact with people who surround him.

Communicative abilities of the person are formedstrictly individually. There are many factors affecting their development: these are relations with parents and relatives, later with peers, with colleagues and management. In addition, the overall social role of man in society is also important.

If in childhood a person did not receive dueunderstanding and support on the part of relatives, which did not give him the experience of communication, he can become insecure and self-contained. That is, his communication skills will be low. How to overcome this situation? Develop communication skills. However, before understanding how to act in such a situation, it is necessary to understand the structure of communication.

The communicative abilities of an individual, whose characteristics are presented below, includes the following types.

Development of communication skills

Communicative abilities are (in psychology)one of the most important for a person. That’s why they need to be developed throughout life. But how to do that? Let’s consider the basic methods of developing communication skills.

Listen more

Communicative abilities of the individual is the ability to competently establish interaction with a person. Is it possible to do this without listening to the interlocutor? Hardly.

Perhaps this communicative skill is the mostundervalued. People tend to be self-centered and selfish. Many of them are accustomed to speak exclusively about themselves, and everywhere and always. Such people do not hear and do not listen to the interlocutor: they wait for him to finish speaking, to start talking again. Is it possible to overcome this bad habit?

In addition, attentive listening to the interlocutorwill help you determine the best way to continue the dialogue. Questions should be asked that involve extended answers, rather than monosyllabic «yes» and «no.» This will help make the conversation more interesting and informative.

This rule relates directly to the ability to listen andto hear the interlocutor. If a person acts as a narrator for too long, he deprives himself of the chance to hear the interlocutor. When you focus your attention on another person, you automatically start talking less yourself.

Work on your acting skills

Communicative abilities are, in theirturn, the richness of various intonations and gestures. This is what characterizes people as representatives of society. A communicative person is an excellent storyteller and imitator, who has a taste for juicy details, to the details. He prefers diversity in life, because such a person can easily move from one social role to another, in addition, he easily adapts to any situation. Such people have charm and are able to like.

Communicating, use not only words, but also non-verbal means of communication

For example, you can learn to speak moreemotionally. To emphasize your interest in what the interlocutor tells you, you can lean slightly in his direction and look into his eyes. If you are positive and open, it will be reflected in your facial expressions and gestures.

Pay attention to the movements and tone of your voice, communicating with others, and adjust them if necessary.

Respect the interlocutor’s opinion

Even if the point of view of the person with whom you communicate is the opposite of yours, this is no reason not to listen. It does not oblige you to agree with him.

Just listen carefully, and then specifyinterlocutor to those places that caused your disagreement. In this case, do not tell him that he is wrong or incompetent. It is better to agree with the interlocutor even formally, because the dialogue is a search for common ground between different people.

Show sincere interest in the interlocutor

When you show sincere interest ininterlocutor, you absolutely involuntarily start listening to it more carefully, trying to understand what he thinks and feels. That is, it will help you determine what really interests him.

When you listen to the interlocutor, show interest in his person, you can easily find that he is not so different from you or not so boring as he seemed to you when you met.

In addition, people will feel more comfortable if they see your interest and attention to them, which will benefit the conversation.

Be sympathetic to criticism

Ancient Greek philosopher Epictet advised listening to criticism. If a person feels in it a grain of truth, then it is worth considering how you can improve.

However, it should be remembered that in the overwhelmingIn most cases, criticism is a reflection of the emotional state and mood of the critic. Perhaps he had a bad day. Maybe a domestic pet or a child is ill. Perhaps your interlocutor is angry with someone or jealous of you. Due to the fact that people often focus on themselves and their experiences, it is very easy to make an erroneous conclusion.

Remember that the world does not revolve around yourperson. Realize that people think about you, your actions and moods are very few. This knowledge can greatly facilitate your life. Thus, the problem, which is connected with the fear of making the wrong move and saying something is wrong (and this supposedly will somehow affect the opinions of others about you), turns into a small barrier.

Try to be the initiator of a conversation

Such an adult version of the game of hide and seek makes people experience more stress and negative emotions than a conversation even with the most undesirable interlocutor.

When you see a friend, but you hide yourself tightly,pretending not to notice him, you are in a state of waiting. In the head swarms of questions rush: did he recognize me? Does he want to talk? Or maybe he’s in a bad mood and he’s not in the mood for a conversation? To approach or not it is not necessary?

To not be stressed and not torment yourselfonce again, it is better just to approach and start a dialogue, to act as its initiator. You will be surprised that this is easy enough. If the interlocutor is really not set up for a conversation, then you can just say goodbye and leave.

20+ Effective Communication Skills (Good for a Resume)

We’re about to talk about effective communication skills for your resume, but first here’s a question: what kills a relationship?

Lack of trust? Perhaps stagnation? Most experts (and shareable Pinterest quotes) agree that poor communication hurts the most! Whether it’s with your siblings, significant other, or your fellow employees, effective communication is crucial to a healthy relationship.

But how do you measure communication skills, and how do you let the recruiter know you have them at all? Don’t worry—

This communication skills guide will show you:

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What Are Communication Skills?

Before we dive in deeper and get to the importance of effective communication in the workplace, we need to understand the basics.

The Conference Board of Canada, an independent research organization, came up with their Employability Skills 2000+, a guide on the most important employability skills. In it, they list communication as the most fundamental skill needed as a basis for further development.

Communication skills include:

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Hard skills for a resume are specific abilities and know-how (e.g., Photoshop, cash register).

Soft skills are self-developed, life-learned attributes (e.g., social skills, adaptability).

Combined, these make up a skill set, which is a job seeker’s range of skills and abilities.

Communication skills fall under the soft skills.

For a more detailed explanation of soft vs. hard competencies, see our dedicated guide: Soft Skills and Hard Skills For Your Resume

Communication vs. Effective Communication

What is In the workplace, communication is the transmission of an idea, instruction, opinion, or emotion from one person to another, usually with a response or other feedback in return. It goes way deeper than just people talking to each other.

But, communication doesn’t necessarily mean effective communication, and this is where people struggle, especially in the office.

See, often we think that we have communicated effectively simply because we said what we meant to say, but author Gypsy Teague said it best: “Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood.”

Pro Tip: Ever heard of the 7% Rule? It says that communication is 7% verbal and 93% nonverbal. However, this itself is a miscommunication, as this study clarifies.

Main Types of Communication Skills

Communication skills at the workplace can be broken down into three distinct categories: verbal, non-verbal, and written.

Verbal communication is communication that is spoken. However, it gets trickier, as effective verbal communication involves nuances such as the tone of your voice, enunciation, and inflection.

Non-verbal communication is communication that is transmitted and received via other mediums, such as touch and sight. The most common of these include eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

Written communication is communication through the written word, including handwriting and typed text. Though it seems as if it should be included in non-verbal communication, HR managers like to differentiate here, as it is a major part of occupational dialogue.

Communication Tip: According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, communication skills top the list of skills employers seek when hiring a candidate!

Communication skills on a resume are important, but focusing on these don’t preclude you from mastering the others! Check out our complete guide: 30+ Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume

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Excellent Communication Skills

Here are some of the most important communication skills in today’s workforce:

Listening.

Good communication starts with listening. Listening skills are essential here.

You can launch a diatribe at your cat about who won the election, and the cat will hear you. That’s not listening. Listening is not just hearing something; it must be accurately received and interpreted for it to have been done effectively.

A bad listener makes for a bad manager or employee. They won’t be able to comprehend what’s being asked of them, much less get it done.

To paraphrase author Stephen R. Covey, “Don’t listen to reply, but rather listen to understand.”

Reflection.

Stop and consider incoming communication rather than merely comprehending it.

You can have a talk show playing in the car during your morning drive, but is it just background noise or are you actively paying attention.

When people communicate with you, they don’t want to talk to a wall (otherwise, they could just talk to a wall). They not only want you to hear what they’re saying, but understand it, chew on it, turn it over in your head.

Also, reflection doesn’t have to end when the conversation does. What separates reflection from mere listening is that you can continue to mull things over after the meeting is finished, back at your desk, or the following day.

Friendliness.

Foster communication with a friendly tone, an upbeat and polite attitude, and a general air of openness.

See, this open air creates rapport and makes people feel comfortable when thinking about approaching you.

Approachability does a lot for communication. Without it, a manager may only be consulted at the last minute, perhaps when it’s too late, because an employee didn’t feel comfortable reaching out sooner.

An approachable, open, and friendly attitude renders situations like these all but impossible.

Confidence.

Be confident in how you communicate. People shouldn’t just believe in what you’re saying, they should believe that you believe what you’re saying.

Let’s say you’re a manager. You’re trying to assure your team layoffs won’t happen. Employees will believe you if you back it up with a confident attitude, and if they can feel that you mean it (well, data and a renewed contract would help!). Morale will not get further diminished, and you can get great support from team members who will still have your back.

Portray a lack of confidence in your message, or fail to believe in it at all, and people will pick up on it. In the same scenario, morale will decline, workers will bail, and you’ll further struggle to right the ship.

Clarity.

Be clear and concise in a business environment.

The best way to be both brief and clear with your message: think before speaking. If you have time, you can also jot down some notes to help you get your point across. Listeners will thank you!

Pro Tip: Clarity and concision are important in business communication, but you probably don’t want to text your boss phrases like “Hey, g2g, gettin hangry AF. TTYL.” Be brief and clear, but in a professional manner!

Accepting Feedback.

Listen and reflect on what you’ve heard while accepting feedback given to you in a professional manner.

However, in the workplace, more often than not, this feedback should be accepted as constructive criticism rather than ridicule or mockery. Use the criticism to better yourself, your project, and your goals.

Giving Constructive Feedback.

Communication is a two-way street, so being able to give constructive feedback is just as important as accepting it gracefully.

As a member of a team, and especially if you’re in management, you want to give feedback that recognizes the work and contributions of others.

Too, you need to be honest and let them know if they screwed up, but you have to be diplomatic about it.

Don’t scream, make passive-aggressive comments, or sigh in frustration. This will only create ill will toward you and will not set things on the right track. Instead, be patient and kind in your feedback, and you’ll keep relationships intact and have the issue resolved in no time.

Open-mindedness.

Good communicators enter conversations with an open mind while displaying empathy, emotional intelligence and respecting the person they speak with, as well as their message.

Don’t immediately dismiss someone, their opinions, their ideas, or their solutions simply because you don’t believe in them, their point of view, or their message.

Even when you disagree, understanding and respecting their point of view or message, and them as a person, is key to a happy, problem-free working environment.

Choosing the Right Medium.

A good communicator communicates effectively, but also through the right medium.

Some things are meant to be said face-to-face and in person, but other things require documentation, such as a request for time off.

The specific person should also be taken into consideration: busy or not, good news or bad, etc. Consider which form of communication is best and appropriate and it’ll be much appreciated.

Nonverbal Communication.

Body language is a key part of nonverbal communication. Use it to get your point across.

Consider someone who just came back from their holiday and is excited to tell you about their adventures. Rolling your eyes during their story will surely make them feel insignificant, while glancing at your watch tells them you have better things to do.

Hand gestures, eye contact, and body position all get parsed subconsciously (or even consciously, at times) by the person one speaks with. Making them feel comfortable with your body language goes a long way to bolstering that openness we talked about previously.

Pro Tip: Whether you’re an introvert or an orator crowds flock to listen to, there is always room to improve your communication skills.

Building Trust.

Develop rapport with your fellow co-workers in order to build their trust.

If you want others to trust you, communicate matters in an honest way. Don’t promise something you can’t deliver.

Asking Questions.

To show interest in what the other person is saying, you have to ask the right questions.

Asking open-ended questions is a way to engage the other person and understand their way of thinking about a certain problem.

Use closed questions (i.e. questions that start with Did, Do, Should, Have, Could) when you need an answer to a specific problem.

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Examples of Communication Skills for Your Resume

Ready to tweak your resume?

Just say you possess Excellent communication skills on the resume and move on, right?

Here’s the problem—

Everyone’s resume says their communication skills are excellent. Yet they fail to really get the message across (oh the irony!).

We all know employers look for applicants with the best communication skills out there. We’ll show you the list below, but you need to read on to learn how to use it.

List of Communication Skills for a Resume

Hell, if they had a choice, they’d choose someone with every skill in existence (as long as it doesn’t look as if you’ll soon leapfrog their position).

But here’s the thing: you can’t just list all the communication skills on your resume.

You have to curate the few skills that are most relevant to them.

Share salient points which showcase your personability, empathy, openness, and other communication skills.

Find other communication skills important to them in the job offer or by talking to current employees.

But, there’s another thing to consider.

Now that you’ve narrowed down the laundry list of communication skills, you can’t just say that you have them, like this:

See, everyone can write something like this, so why would they believe you?

No, you’ve got to show, not tell.

Prove to them that you have the skills you say by using past examples, numbers, and quantifiable achievements. Here are a few communication skills examples:

Just remember this: Your first display of communication skills is when you hand in your cover letter and resume (and job application, perhaps).

Your grammar skills, writing, and storytelling are immediately tested, so if you want to make a great first impression regarding your communication skills, make sure you know how to write a good resume and a good cover letter.

Pro Tip: If you get past these first hurdles, your verbal communication and nonverbal communication will soon get tested at the interview!

To be sure you use the right body language, eye contact, hand gestures, and other communication signals in your upcoming interview, check out our complete guide on the Best Interview Tips & Advice.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

Key Takeaway

Communication skills are at the very top of skills employers look for in a candidate. Keep these points in mind:

Do you have any questions on good communication skills and abilities? Not sure how to describe your effective communication skills? Get at us in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading!

Important Communication Skills for Resumes & Cover Letters

Regardless of the job you’re applying for, employers will expect you to have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Depending on the position, you will need to be able to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and customers in person, online, in writing, and on the phone.

As with any other skill set, your communication abilities are demonstrated by your professional employment history. In your application materials and your interview, you can draw attention to how your prior experiences exemplify your communication skills.

Some jobs require different skills than others, so review the job posting to see what the employer is seeking in applicants.

Then take the time to match your credentials to the job requirements, so you can show the employer you’re a strong match for the job.

What Are Communication Skills?

It may seem simple enough to say, “I know how to communicate.” However, those with little experience communicating with people from different walks of life don’t realize how complicated communication can be.

How many times have you ever said or written something to someone that they took the wrong way? This happens in the workplace all the time. The best employers need leaders that can exercise care in their ability to listen and respond to customers and fellow employees.

Employers look for applicants with superior written and verbal communication skills for almost every job they hire for.

Types of Communication Skills

Written Communication

Writing well is a major component of your professionalism. Many talented people often do not write well. Poor writing not only makes an exchange of ideas and information less efficient, but it also makes you look unintelligent. Learning to write well has an important side effect; because clear, readable text is also well-organized, straightforward, and concise, learning to write also teaches you to speak and to think better.

Verbal Communication

Verbal (also called “oral”) communication skills are essential for those with jobs in a traditional workplace and for employees whose tasks include extensive use of telephones. While verbal communication skills are probably most important for those in sales, customer service, and public relations, anyone who has to interact face-to-face with supervisors and colleagues needs to be able to express themselves clearly and succinctly.

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication includes vocal tone, eye contact patterns, body language, and more. Nonverbal communication often carries more weight than verbal communication and has a much greater impact on rapport and trust. Learn the nonverbal signals you need to present yourself well. And if you have non-standard body language (for example, if you are on the autism spectrum or have a physical disability), you will have to find ways to avoid or correct misunderstanding.

Reconciliation and Conflict Management

Simple friendliness, politeness, and respect go a long way to create rapport and improve communication. Part of conflict management is simply being kind and considerate with everyone so that they can model your behavior. Say “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” as needed. Remember to ask people how they’re doing and listen to their answer. As the workplace becomes more diverse, conflict management is a communication skill increasingly sought after.

Communication Mediums

Communication can be in person, “snail-mail,” email, telephone, through text message, or video. Each medium has its advantages and disadvantages, and each adds something different to the message you are trying to convey. Some messages are better suited to particular media than others. For instance, most people prefer to have bad news delivered in person. But people also vary widely in how they respond to different media.

For example, people who lack confidence in their written communication prefer talking on the phone. Others prefer the slower, more thoughtful pace of email and prefer to avoid phones.

You have your own preferences, but part of communicating well is being able to identify the preferred medium of the other person for any given situation.

Communicating well is one of those abilities that is often overlooked, and yet those who have it are at a substantial advantage to those who are not. Fortunately, many communication skills can be learned.

More Communication Skills

How to Make Your Skills Stand Out

Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume: As you scan the job posting, highlight the specific qualifications and skills mentioned and be sure to incorporate those keyword phrases into your resume.

Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter: Take the time to write a quality cover letter that focuses on your most relevant skills for the job.

Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview: Are you comfortable talking with people in different settings? If you know this is not your strong point, be sure to prepare for the interview in advance.

Communication Skills

Being able to communicate effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills. It is what enables us to pass information to other people, and to understand what is said to us. You only have to watch a baby listening intently to its mother and trying to repeat the sounds that she makes to understand how fundamental is the urge to communicate.

Communication, at its simplest, is the act of transferring information from one place to another. It may be vocally (using voice), written (using printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites or emails), visually (using logos, maps, charts or graphs) or non-verbally (using body language, gestures and the tone and pitch of voice). In practice, it is often a combination of several of these.

Communication skills may take a lifetime to master—if indeed anyone can ever claim to have mastered them. There are, however, many things that you can do fairly easily to improve your communication skills and ensure that you are able to transmit and receive information effectively.

This page provides an introduction to communication skills. It is also a guide to the pages on SkillsYouNeed that cover this essential area to enable you to navigate them effectively.

The Importance of Good Communication Skills

Developing your communication skills can help all aspects of your life, from your professional life to social gatherings and everything in between.

The ability to communicate information accurately, clearly and as intended, is a vital life skill and something that should not be overlooked. It’s never too late to work on your communication skills and by doing so, you may well find that you improve your quality of life.

Communication skills are needed in almost all aspects of life:

Professionally, if you are applying for jobs or looking for a promotion with your current employer, you will almost certainly need to demonstrate good communication skills.

Communication skills are needed to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact, demonstrate a varied vocabulary and tailor your language to your audience, listen effectively, present your ideas appropriately, write clearly and concisely, and work well in a group. Many of these are essential skills that most employers seek.

Verbal communication skills are ranked first among a job candidate’s ‘must have’ skills and qualities. According to a 2018 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

As your career progresses, the importance of communication skills increases; the ability to speak, listen, question and write with clarity and conciseness are essential for most managers and leaders.

In your personal life, good communication skills can improve your personal relationships by helping you to understand others, and to be understood.

It is almost a cliché that personal relationships need communication. Failure to talk has been blamed for the breakdown of any number of partnerships and relationships—but the ability to listen is also an important element. Communication is also vital in wider family relationships, whether you want to discuss arrangements for holidays, or ensure that your teenage children are well and happy.

Communication skills can also ensure that you are able to manage interactions with businesses and organisations

Over the course of your lifetime, you are likely to have to interact with a wide range of organisations and institutions, including shops, businesses, government offices, and schools. Good communication skills can ease these interactions, and ensure that you are able to get your point across calmly and clearly, and also take on board the responses.

Communication is a two-way process

Communication is not the same as broadcasting, or simply sending out information.

It is a two-way process. In other words, it involves both the sending and receiving of information.

It therefore requires both speaking and listening, but also—and perhaps more crucially—developing a shared understanding of the information being transmitted and received.

It is, therefore an active process. There is nothing passive about communication, in either direction.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be an effective communicator.

Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their communication skills, and are full of easy-to-follow practical information and exercises.

Developing Communication Skills

Good communication skills can improve the way that you operate through life, smoothing your way in your relationships with others.

Poor communication skills, on the other hand, can sour relationships from business to personal, and make your life significantly harder.

Some people seem to understand how to communicate without even trying. They are able to tailor their language, tone and message to their audience, and get their point across quickly and succinctly, in a way that is heard. They are also able to pick up the messages sent to them rapidly, understanding both what is said, and what has not been said.

This may seem effortless, but the chances are that they have spent plenty of time honing their skills.

Along the way, they have probably also developed a good understanding of themselves (called self-awareness) and habits of reflecting on success and failure, and the actions that have led to one or the other.

A Long-Term Project

Developing excellent communication skills is probably best thought of as a long-term project.

The chances are that you will continue to learn about communication throughout your life. Few, if any, of us would ever say that we had nothing left to learn on the subject.

That is not, however, to say that it is not worth starting the journey.

There are many small, easy things that you can do immediately that will help you to communicate more effectively.

Communication Skills on SkillsYouNeed

Here at SkillsYouNeed, you’ll find lots of pages and articles to help you understand and improve your communication skills.

You’ll find sections on:

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Interpersonal skills are the skills we use when engaged in face-to-face communication with one or more other people.

For a good general introduction to the topic of interpersonal communication skills, you may like to read our pages on Interpersonal Communication Skills, What is Communication? and Principles of Communication. They will help you to understand the basics and start to be aware of what you might need to improve.

Our pages on Barriers to Communication and The Ladder of Inference give you some ideas about what may be going wrong in your personal communication processes. Improving Communication provides information about how you might start to address those issues. There may, in particular, be issues relating to Intercultural communication, especially if you work or interact with people from other cultures on a regular basis.

Our more specific pages on interpersonal communication skills are divided broadly into Verbal Communication and Non-Verbal Communication and Listening.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is all about what we say, which is an important way of getting our message across.

Verbal communication can be both written and spoken, but these pages focus mainly on spoken communication.

The words that we choose can make a big difference to whether other people understand us. Consider for example, communicating with a young child, or with someone who does not speak our own language very well. Under those circumstances, you need to use simple language, short sentences, and check understanding regularly. It is quite different from a conversation with an old friend whom you have known for years, and with whom you may not even need to finish your sentences. Equally, a conversation with a friend is very different from a business discussion, and the words that you choose might be considerably more technical when talking to a colleague.

Reflection and clarification are both common techniques used in verbal communication to ensure that what you have heard and understood is what was intended. Reflection is the process of paraphrasing and restating what the other person has just said, to check that you have understood. Clarification is the process of seeking more information to inform your understanding, for example, by asking questions. You can find out more on our pages on Reflecting and Clarification.

Questioning skills are one very important area of verbal communication, often used in clarification, but also to extract more information, and as a way to maintain a conversation. Find out more in our pages on Questioning Skills and Types of Questions.

Finally, two specific areas where you will need verbal communication skills, and which are worth considering separately are making a speech, and in conversation.

Non-verbal Communication

Using our voice is only the tip of the iceberg.

We actually communicate far more information using Non-verbal Communication. This includes non-verbal signals, gestures, facial expression, body language, tone of voice, and even our appearance. These can serve to either reinforce or undermine the message of our spoken words, so are worth considering carefully.

If you want to say something outrageous, wear a suit.

The late Dr Joe Jaina, Organisational Psychologist at Cranfield School of Management.

Listening

Listening is also a vital interpersonal communication skill.

As we said above, communication is a two-way process. Listening is an essential part of receiving information. When we communicate, we spend 45% of our time listening. Most people take listening for granted, but it is not the same as hearing and should be thought of as a skill.

Our Listening Skills page acts as an introduction to the subject and you may also be interested in the Ten Principles of Listening.

Our page on Active Listening provides a lot more information about how to listen effectively and can also help you to avoid misunderstandings, while Types of Listening explains more about the theory of listening.

We also have pages on Ineffective Listening and Listening Misconceptions. It is always worth thinking about what you should not do, as well as what you should do, when trying to develop your skills. You may find that you recognise some of the bad habits you or other people have picked up when listening.

Using Communication Skills

Interpersonal communication skills are important in a wide range of circumstances and environments: probably, in fact, anywhere where we may meet and interact with other people.

We have a number of pages on how to use communication skills. For example, they are essential for starting to build relationships, both professionally and at home. You may find our page on Building Rapport helpful, and also advice on being interviewed (Interview Skills) and interviewing others (Interviewing Skills).

Good communication skills can also help you to provide feedback effectively, and in a way that will not cause offence: a vital skill throughout life.

Good interpersonal communication skills enable us to work more effectively in groups and teams, which may be either formal or informal. Our pages on Groups and Teams explain more about working in groups, and the skills required.

Other Communication Skills

Communication skills encompass far more than simple verbal and non-verbal communication, even in a wide range of circumstances. SkillsYouNeed also includes pages on some more specific forms of communication skills, such as:

Presentation Skills

Many of us only use presentation skills infrequently. However, there will probably be times in your life when you need to present information to a group of people, either in a formal or informal setting.

Presentations are far more than simply standing up in front of a screen and talking your way through a set of slides. They also include the ability to get your point across in meetings, both small and large, and even pitching your business idea to a potential investor.

Writing Skills

Communication skills are not limited to direct interaction with other people and the spoken word.

The ability to write clearly and effectively is also key to communication.

This set of skills should not be limited to journalists or professional authors. Poor written communication can be frustrating for the reader and potentially damaging for the author – would you buy a product from a website peppered with spelling mistakes, or full of incomplete or unclear sentences?

Browse our pages on Writing Skills to help you to understand and overcome common mistakes, and improve how you communicate using the written word.

You may also be interested in our pages on Study Skills. Not just for students, these are the skills you need to enable you to learn, communicate your ideas and understand the ideas of others more effectively. They can, in particular, help you to read more critically, and retain more information by making notes: improving the process of receiving written communication.

Personal Skills

Personal Skills are the skills that we use to maintain a healthy body and mind. But they can also enhance communication.

By having a deeper understanding of yourself and a more relaxed and positive outlook on life you are more likely to be charismatic, a trait that can further aid the communication process. Our page What is Charisma? explains this in more detail. Good communication is also linked to assertiveness, or standing up for what you believe. Our section on Assertiveness explains more.

During times of stress, or when we are angry, we may communicate less effectively. Learn more about these emotions and how to control, reduce and manage them in our pages What is Stress? and What is Anger? You may also be interested in Avoiding and Managing Stress and Tips for Dealing with Stress, as well as Anger Management.

We even have pages to help you deal with more difficult situations such as Dealing with Aggression and Communicating in Difficult Situations.

Communication is a complex subject with many areas and skills to consider.

Being able to communicate effectively is also a skill like any other. It too can be learned, given time. Anyone can make a start on improving their communication skills at any time, and the investment of time and effort is likely to pay off rapidly.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be an effective communicator.

Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their communication skills, and are full of easy-to-follow practical information and exercises.

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?

So, let’s dive right in!

Top 11 Communication Skills for Any Job

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 2022:

#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:

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:

#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

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

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

Some ways to appear more confident include:

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.

#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:

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:

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:

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.

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

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:

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.

When observing yourself:

When observing others:

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:

#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:

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:

Key Takeaways

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: