Professional Communication Skills: The 2022 Edit

by Hiration

Let’s address the importance of effective communication in the workplace.

Communication skills are undoubtedly the most fundamental requirement of any high-functioning workplace. Effective communication is now multifaceted and travels through multiple channels.

Be it in our day-to-day lives or any career path we choose, knowing how to communicate effectively can be highly beneficial to us and the people around us.

Communication skills require a considerable amount of time and practice to master. Excellent communication skills can be a catalyst for professional growth.

Consider two candidates with the same technical and functional caliber, but one has better communication skills than the other.

This parameter will indeed leverage the chances of getting selected as effective communication in the workplace holds immense importance.

Going further, we will discuss what communication is, its types, and how you can mention your eminent business communication skills in your resume.

We will explore the following topics:

Let us begin with the definition, followed by communication skills examples and ways to present them in your resume.

What are Communication Skills?

Communication skills comprise the ability to convey or share ideas and information effectively.

Adequately communicating your feelings and thoughts with people around you can positively impact the overall work efficiency.

In theory, this sounds simple, but it requires expertise through practical experiences to communicate well at the workplace.

Non-verbal communication is just as important as any other form of communication. To communicate immaculately through your expressions, posture, gestures, and body language determines your confidence and presence of mind.

Types of Communication Skills

Communication skills are classified into 3 categories:

  • Verbal communication
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Written Communication

Verbal Communication

This category of communication involves both speaking and listening. You need to apply contextual intelligence to ace formal and informal verbal communication.

Keep the following aspects in mind while engaging in verbal communication:

  • Choice of words
  • Structure of the sentence
  • Style and expression
  • Tonality

These elements go together with non-verbal aspects, which we will discuss in the next section.

Non- Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication comprises actions that communicate without the involvement of sound. Some of them are:

  • Facial expressions
  • Body movements
  • Eye contact
  • Space
  • Touch

While practicing the non-verbal aspects of communication skills, focus on two things. Observe how others receive your non-verbal cues and learn to decipher the non-verbal cues displayed by others.

Written Communication

The third and equally instrumental skill is written communication. For instance, your written communication skills play a crucial role in conveying your suitability to potential employers through your resume.

The quality of the communications you showcase often makes a considerable difference. For example, it can determine whether your targeted client accepts your offer or whether your emails make donors interested in raising funds for your cause.

Here are two notes that will come in handy when polishing your written communication skills:

  • Practice writing and editing
  • Read and proofread to control the quality

Also read: Why are Active Listening Skills Important?

7 Effective Communication Skills to Mention in Your Resume

You can mention your key communication skills directly in your resume while including the others in summary/objective or professional experience sections.

Stated below are 7 examples of communication skills that you can directly flaunt in your resume:

  • Public Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict Resolution and Mediation
  • Data Visualization
  • Brand Communications
  • Report Writing
  • Public Relations Management

Highlighting these communication skills can catch the eye of potential employers.

Also read: What Skills to Put on Your Resume?

Soft Skills Vs. Hard Skills

Soft skills are universal and not job-specific. For example, communication skills are soft skills that are in high demand across several industries. One needs to practice it to polish it, and yet they cannot be easily pinned down.

Hard skills are the abilities and talents that can be measured and are usually job-specific. One can be trained for the same during school/college and on the job.

For an easier understanding, we have presented the core difference between the two in a tabular form below:

Soft Skills Hard Skills
Hard to measure Measurable
Undefined metrics Easily defined
Universal Specific

Soft skills are harder to master because, unlike hard skills, they don't have a fixed parameter for evaluation.

Being instinctive can help you communicate effectively. The clearer your deliverance, the better your communication skills.

To write exceptional resumes, check out Hiration’s Online Resume Builder comprising 250+ pre-made templates with AI-powered key skill suggestion based on your profile.

Also read: Importance of Conceptual Skills

Ways to Improve Your Professional Communication Skills

Here are 4 ways to help you hone your communication skills so you can effectively communicate in the workplace:

Understand Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues

You can transform your communication skills by being an active listener and focusing on non-verbal aspects of communication.

Paying close attention to verbal and non-verbal details when communicating with someone will help you understand them better and respond accordingly.

Manage Your Emotions

Managing your emotions and expressing them appropriately within context is extremely important for your professional communication skills.

Strong emotions must not unnecessarily creep into professional conversations. It can lead to poor communication and conflict.

Effective communication skills require you to know how to develop a filter and what is appropriate to express in different interpersonal contexts.

Practice Public Speaking

Public speaking is a great way to help you clearly articulate your feelings and develop concrete communication skills.

Regularly addressing a group of people will magnify your strengths and weaknesses. It will push you to instill excellent communication skills.

Ask for Feedback

Feedback is very crucial to growth. Ask your mentors, colleagues, or superiors for honest feedback on your communication skills.

Asking your peers or subordinates for their input on improving your communication skills can be valuable. It will help you gain a deeper understanding of how you come across in a professional setting.

Importance of Communication Skills During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the in-office work culture to remote work along with e-commerce and automation.

Hence, companies all across the world had to implement new ways to keep their businesses running. There came heavy digitalization. In turn, making effective communication across platforms became extremely important.

Effective and professional communication during a pandemic comprises:

  • Content: Content along with context and tone is very important to avoid misinterpretation by your colleagues or clients.

  • Medium: Medium includes various platforms such as blogs, webinars, conference calls, digital media, etc., to ensure effective virtual communication.

While the hurdles of communicating effectively during a pandemic are increasing, asking questions, maintaining communications, and implementing constructive communication practices can help organizations communicate more responsibly and effectively.

Key Takeaways

  • Communication skills are soft skills that require a considerable amount of time and practice to master.
  • There are broadly three types of communication skills: Verbal, Non-verbal, and Written.
  • Both soft skills and hard skills are about concreteness and not about difficulty.
  • Effective communications skills are required in any high-functioning professional setting and can be a great career uplifter.

For any queries or concerns, feel free to drop a mail at support@hiration.com, and we will surely get back to you at the earliest.

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