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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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• Career Blog

30 Effective Communication Skills to Include in a Resume

As job seekers, we often hear the phrase “communication skills” mentioned in job postings, interviews, and networking events. It’s not surprising considering that effective communication is an essential aspect of any job, regardless of the industry.

In today’s competitive job market, candidates must showcase their communication skills on their resumes to stand out from the crowd. Effective communication skills on a resume can demonstrate your ability to articulate ideas, build relationships, solve problems, and contribute to team success.

This article will cover 30 effective communication skills to include in a resume, providing job seekers with valuable insights on how to highlight their communication proficiency. Read on to discover the best ways to showcase your communication skills and get noticed by employers.

Verbal Communication Skills

Exceptional communication skills are essential for success in any profession. Verbal communication skills, in particular, enable us to express our thoughts, ideas, and emotions effectively. In this section, we will discuss five essential verbal communication skills that you should highlight in your resume.

1. Public Speaking

Public speaking is a skill that can intimidate many people, but it’s one that’s necessary in many professional settings, from pitching ideas to presenting reports. The ability to deliver confident and articulate presentations can set you apart from your peers. If you have experience delivering presentations and addressing large groups, make sure to showcase this skill on your resume.

2. Active Listening

Active listening is the ability to listen intently to someone, to understand their message and respond appropriately. This skill requires focus, patience, and empathy. In today’s fast-paced business environment, people are often in a rush to give their opinion and overlook the importance of listening. Highlighting active listening on your resume can demonstrate that you are a team player who values collaboration.

3. Negotiation

Negotiation is critical in many professions such as sales, marketing, and law. The skill to persuade others to a common ground and achieve desired outcomes can be the difference between you and your competitors. The ability to negotiate could also be useful in day-to-day work situations like getting deadlines extended or managing client expectations.

4. Persuasion

Persuasion is the ability to influence others’ decisions or opinions by presenting logical arguments with supporting evidence. This skill is especially useful in sales, marketing, and advertising. Having persuasive skills can help you close more deals, generate leads, and create compelling marketing campaigns.

5. Confidence

Confidence is a vital component of effective verbal communication. It helps you articulate your message with clarity, conviction, and authority. Confidence helps establish trust with clients and colleagues, giving them the assurance that you know what you are talking about. High confidence levels also help when meeting new people or networking.

Verbal communication skills are a critical component of any successful career. Emphasizing these five skills on your resume can help you differentiate yourself positively from other candidates. Make sure you highlight your experiences and achievements in these areas and include any relevant metrics where possible.

Written Communication Skills

When it comes to job applications, written communication skills are crucial. Hiring managers want to know that potential employees can write clearly and accurately. Here are five key skills to highlight on your resume:

Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and spelling can make even the most impressive content appear sloppy and unprofessional. Attention to detail is important when it comes to written communication. Be sure to review your work for errors and consider using spell check and grammar check tools.

Organizing ideas

Strong writing is well-organized and easy to follow. Before you start, think about the structure of your content. Consider using headings or subheadings to break up large sections of text. An outline can also be helpful to ensure your ideas flow logically.

Writing concisely

In today’s fast-paced world, attention spans are short. To be an effective communicator, it’s important to get to the point quickly. Cut unnecessary jargon and keep paragraphs short. Consider using bullet points or numbered lists to make key points stand out.

Storytelling

Employers want to see that candidates can write content that engages readers. A great way to do this is through storytelling. Include personal anecdotes or case studies when possible. This makes your content more relatable and memorable.

Adaptability to different styles

Different writing styles may be required depending on the job or project. The ability to adapt your writing style is essential. Be sure to read job descriptions carefully and tailor your resume accordingly. Familiarize yourself with different writing styles and be willing to adapt as needed.

Effective written communication skills are important for anyone looking to secure a job. Highlighting your skills in grammar and spelling, organizing ideas, writing concisely, storytelling, and adaptability to different styles on your resume can set you apart from other candidates. Nonverbal communication skills are just as important as verbal skills when it comes to effective communication. In fact, nonverbal communication can play a significant role in conveying a message, sometimes even more so than the words themselves. Here are the top five nonverbal communication skills that you should include in your resume:

1. Eye contact

Maintaining eye contact with your audience is one of the most important nonverbal communication skills. It indicates that you are confident, engaged, and interested in the conversation. Avoiding eye contact can be interpreted as disinterest, discomfort, or even dishonesty. Be sure to practice making eye contact with others when speaking with them, as this will not only help you communicate more effectively but also make you appear more trustworthy and confident.

2. Body language

Body language refers to the way you hold yourself during conversations. Your posture, movement, and facial expressions can all communicate nonverbally to your audience. Good body language conveys confidence, openness, and trustworthiness. Some examples of effective body language include standing or sitting up straight with your shoulders back, nodding your head to indicate understanding and agreement, and leaning slightly forward to show interest.

3. Tone of voice

The tone of your voice can convey a great deal of information about the message you are trying to communicate. The way you speak can signal whether you are confident or unsure, excited or bored, sincere or insincere. When speaking with others, make sure to vary your tone of voice to reflect the message you are trying to convey. Use tone to communicate enthusiasm, concern, interest, or conviction.

4. Facial expressions

Facial expressions can say a lot about your emotions and your intentions. A smile can signal warmth and friendliness, while a frown can indicate displeasure or discomfort. Raised eyebrows can show surprise or curiosity, while a furrowed brow may signal worry or concern. When communicating with others, be aware of your facial expressions and strive to use them consciously to convey your message.

5. Gestures

Gestures are another important nonverbal communication skill. They can be used to emphasize a point, communicate a feeling, or convey information. For example, pointing can be used to indicate direction or highlight a specific object, while hand gestures can be used to express excitement, agreement, or even frustration. Be careful not to overuse gestures, as excessive or inappropriate gesturing can be distracting and detract from your message.

Nonverbal communication skills are an essential part of effective communication. Be sure to include these skills in your resume, as they are highly valued by employers and can be a critical factor in your success in the workplace. Practice these skills regularly, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of nonverbal communication.

Interpersonal Communication Skills

When it comes to building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and managers, interpersonal communication skills are vital. Below are five skills you should include in your resume, along with tips for improving them.

Empathy is the ability to understand others’ feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. It’s a crucial skill for effective communication because it helps you connect with others on a deeper level. To improve your empathy, try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Listen actively, and ask questions to clarify their perspective.

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution is the ability to resolve differences and disagreements with others in a productive way. This includes finding common ground and compromising when necessary. To improve your conflict resolution skills, practice active listening, and avoid taking sides. Focus on finding a solution that works for both parties.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the ability to work effectively with a team towards a common goal. This requires good communication skills, as well as the ability to share ideas and listen to other people’s input. To improve your collaboration skills, practice active listening, and ask for feedback from others. Be open to new ideas, and make sure everyone on the team feels heard.

Giving and receiving feedback is an important part of effective communication. It helps you improve your performance, as well as build stronger relationships with others. To improve your feedback skills, make sure you’re clear and specific when giving feedback. When receiving feedback, try to be open-minded and non-defensive. Take the feedback as an opportunity to grow and improve.

Understanding cultural differences

In today’s globalized world, it’s essential to understand and respect cultural differences. This includes differences in communication styles, customs, and values. To improve your cultural understanding, educate yourself on different cultures and customs. Be open-minded and respectful when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Including these five interpersonal communication skills in your resume can help you stand out as a strong communicator and team player. By practicing empathy, conflict resolution, collaboration, feedback, and cultural awareness, you can build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and contribute to a more positive work environment.

Leadership Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in any leadership position as it helps leaders to inspire, guide, and motivate their team members towards a common goal. In this section, we will discuss the following leadership communication skills that should be included in a resume:

Motivating team members is one of the primary responsibilities of a leader. An effective leader should be able to communicate with their team members in a way that inspires them to achieve their best performance. This can be achieved by recognizing and rewarding team members’ achievements, offering constructive feedback, and creating a positive work environment that fosters growth and development.

Delegating tasks is an essential aspect of leadership communication. Leaders must be able to effectively communicate their expectations to their team members and delegate tasks according to their strengths and weaknesses. A good leader should be able to trust their team members to handle delegated tasks effectively, while still providing guidance and support when needed.

Inspiration

Inspiring team members is another critical leadership communication skill. A great leader should be able to inspire their team by setting a good example, effectively communicating their vision, and creating a sense of purpose that motivates team members to work towards a common goal.

Visionary communication

A visionary leader must communicate their vision to their team members effectively. This involves creating a compelling message that inspires team members to work together towards a common objective. Visionary communication should highlight the benefits and outcomes of the vision, helping team members to understand how their contributions can help realize the vision.

Decision making

A leader must make informed decisions that benefit the entire team. Decision-making skills are critical in leadership communication as they can help teams to avoid roadblocks and stay on track towards their goals. Effective decision-making involves analyzing relevant data, communicating with team members, and weighing up different perspectives before making an informed decision.

Effective leadership communication skills are essential for any leader looking to succeed in their role. By including these skills in your resume, you can demonstrate your ability to lead, inspire, and motivate teams towards a common goal, making you a valuable asset to any organization.

Technological Communication Skills

Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, and to succeed in today’s workplace, it’s important to have strong technological communication skills. Here are five technological communication skills that will make you a valuable asset to any team.

Email Etiquette

Email is a vital form of communication in the workplace, and mastering email etiquette is crucial. Clear and concise subject lines, proper grammar and tone, and timely responses all contribute to professional email etiquette. Remember to always proofread your emails and avoid using slang or abbreviations.

Video Conferencing

Video conferencing allows for remote collaboration and is becoming more common in today’s workplace. It’s important to know how to set up a video conference, use the appropriate software, and dress professionally for the camera. Pay attention to body language, maintain eye contact, and avoid distractions during the call.

Social Media Communication

Social media is no longer just a platform for personal use. Many businesses utilize social media to communicate with customers and collaborate with colleagues. Knowing how to effectively communicate on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter can give you an edge in your career. Remember to always maintain a professional tone and represent your brand well.

Mobile Communication

With the rise of smartphones and mobile devices, mobile communication has become a significant aspect of workplace communication. It’s important to know how to communicate effectively on mobile devices, including text messaging and mobile email. Be mindful of your tone and response time when communicating on the go.

Virtual Communication

Virtual communication, including remote work and teleconferencing, requires strong communication skills. It’s important to be clear and concise in your communication, avoid technical glitches, and maintain professionalism. Good virtual communication skills can improve collaboration and productivity among remote teams.

Mastering technological communication skills is essential to succeeding in today’s workplace. By improving your email etiquette, video conferencing, social media communication, mobile communication, and virtual communication skills, you will stand out as a valuable employee and team member.

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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: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples
• List of 21 Important Technical Skills (with Examples)
• 50 Example Phrases: Technical Skills Examples for Resume
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• 2 Detailed Examples of Administrative Assistant Resumes

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100 Communication Skills for Your Resume

Find 100 good communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal) you can use on your resume and how to list communication skills on your resume.

Effective communication skills are undoubtedly one of the most sought-after skills in today’s world of technology.

Communication is now multifaceted and multi-channel.

It doesn’t matter how good you are at the core skills of your job if you are not good at communicating with team members or stakeholders effectively. Work gets hindered and your career progress gets stalled.

The art of communication is of eminent importance not only in the world of sales and marketing but in all careers and in our day-to-day lives.

So it is quite obvious that your potential employer will be on the lookout for effective communications skills on your resume.

Here are 10 of the best communication skills for your resume:

• Collaborative Mindset
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation
• Presentation Skills
• Public Speaking
• Team Building

But let’s not stop here. There are so many other communication skills that are very useful for different career options.

What Are Communication Skills?

Communication skills are defined as the abilities needed to exchange information between you and others. These skills involve giving and receiving both verbal and non-verbal information.

When you are writing a resume, it’s important to note that there are three distinctly different types of communication skills.

Three Types of Communication Skills:

• Verbal communication skills are all the skills that help you with job speaking to colleagues or customers (i.e. phone kills, presentational skills, persuasion).
• Written communication skills include the skills you need to write anything in your job, from emails to presentations to legal briefs.
• Interpersonal communication skills are the skills that help you understand and work with other people effectively. These skills would be adaptability, empathy, flexibility, etc.

We’ve researched 100 communication skills for your resume and categorized them for your convenience. Check out the list and choose the skills that are relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Read on to see these skills in action!

Verbal Communication Skills For Your Resume

Verbal communication is the most used and perhaps the most important mode of communication in our daily life.

Ask anyone with communication anxiety about the importance of using the right words with the right tone and voice in front of an audience.

A slight mispronunciation can throw you off-track during a presentation, as the presenter or audience member.

The same is true for our day-to-day office activities.

Use the following verbal communication skills on your resume to show that you are a pro at this.

Not required for most jobs other than the entertainment industry. But putting it on your resume can show that you are a good communicator.

2. Active Listening

If you don’t listen to others, how would you know what to say to them? Active listening is a must for effective verbal communication.

3. Articulation

Being able to speak clearly and present your ideas coherently and effectively is a skill that everyone would like to have.

4. Assertiveness

There are situations when we must be assertive to present an idea or opinion. But not everyone can do it in a polite manner. It’s a skill that you can master with practice.

Speaking with clarity and making sense to each and every person in your audience is one of the basics of effective verbal communication.

6. Conciseness

We want to know what we want to know quickly. Concision is a virtue.

7. Confidence

Speaking with confidence keeps your audience assured and engaged. A lack of confidence in you will sow doubts in others’ minds about your capabilities.

8. Conflict Management

Among colleagues, subordinates, or customers, conflicts must be handled. You can solve conflicts with your empathetic verbal communication and problem-solving skills.

9. Consensus Driving Skills

Having the ability to get multiple people on the same page is a difficult task that involves understanding different viewpoints, conveying ideas, and some persuasion.

10. Counseling Skills

If you have counseling skills, that means you know how to use words to soothe minds in distress. It’s also a great leadership trait to include on your resume.

11. Debating Skills

They may not be explicitly required for the job, but having this skill means you are a good speaker and critical thinker.

12. Eloquent Speaking

Fluent or eloquent oratory skills enable you to express your ideas, emotions, and incidents in an easy-to-follow and effective manner.

13. Expressing Complex Ideas

Verbal communication is about expressing facts, ideas, and emotions. Expressing complex ideas so that your audience understands them demonstrates your ability to process information and communicate it.

14. Imagination

The more imaginative you are, the more ways of problem-solving and expressing yourself are at your disposal.

15. Inquisition

Another element of active listening is being responsive and asking the right questions to gain insight. It lets you pinpoint the pain points of your audience and address them.

16. Literary Device Skills

Devices like similes, metaphors, analogies, and others help in expressing complex and abstract ideas in an easy-to-grasp manner.

17. Motivational Speaking

People need motivation every now and then and you know how to provide it. This could be one-on-one with a colleague or in front of an audience.

18. Multilingualism

If you know more than one language, you can show it off on your resume. It also indicates that you are ready to learn new things.

19. Open-Mindedness

You should not let your biases and judgments affect your communication. Open-mindedness is a much-needed communication skill in today’s world.

20. Persuasion

Persuasion is tricky. You always risk being too “salesy”. But there’s a sweet spot for being convincing without being pushy and it’s a highly sought-after skill.

21. Phone Skills

Knowing phone call etiquette and having stellar phone conversation skills are required for jobs involving phone calls with customers or other team members.

22. Presentation Skills

Presentation skills are very useful in an office setup. Not everyone can give an effective presentation, so if you have presentation skills, make it known on your resume.

23. Public Speaking Skills

Speaking effectively and clearly in front of an audience requires both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

24. Quick Thinking

There are situations when we feel at a loss for words. You have to be a quick thinker to get out of these situations quickly.

25. Sense of Humor

A sense of humor can go a long way in more professions than you think. Customer-facing, marketing, and human resources roles can all benefit from someone who can crack a joke and a smile.

26. Storytelling

Who doesn’t love stories? Weaving storytelling techniques into verbal communication keeps your audience attentive and entertained.

27. Vocal Tone Sensitivity

Using vocal tones and pitch is an essential element of effective verbal communication. It enables your communication to be deeper and more powerful.

Written Communication Skills For Your Resume

Written communication skills are the core of many jobs and almost all jobs require you to have some kind of written communication skills.

Moreover, as a significant portion of office communication is happening online, written communication skills have assumed further importance.

Check out some of the most sought-after written communication skills below.

28. Blogging

Blogging is a great written communication skill. It denotes creativity and depth of understanding.

29. Business Analysis Writing

Similar to business writing, but more focused on comparative study between companies or business models. Add to your resume for any writing or business-related positions.

30. Business Writing

This is a great writing skill to add to your resume for any kind of job. Apart from writing, this also shows that you have business acumen.

31. Content Strategy

A must-have for marketing jobs today. It’s a huge skill consisting of many sub-skills like SEO. It denotes you are familiar with the new media landscape.

32. Content Writing

Adding content writing skills to your resume will show that you are good at writing as well as research.

33. Copywriting

Listing copywriting skills is a must for any digital marketing-related job. It is also useful for any job where you are required to do text-based work.

34. Correspondence

Effective office and business correspondence is a must-have skill for many jobs, especially office assistance and customer support professions.

35. Creative Writing

The ability to write creative pieces not only shows your writing ability but also your creativity. This skill is essential for artistic career fields.

36. Editing

A must-have skill for writing-heavy jobs. Include it whenever the job responsibilities include written communication.

37. Effective Message Writing

Essential for jobs in the communications field. Putting it on your resume will show you understand audience targeting.

38. Email Writing

Emailing is one of the essential written communication skills. You need to know what to say and how to say it correctly.

39. Financial Report Writing

If the job is related to finance, you should consider including this written communication skill on your resume. It also does well for any writing-related jobs or managerial positions.

Grammar Knowledge

We all know technology can do most of this for us in some jobs, but having a keen eye and a thorough understanding of grammar rules is essential for some roles.

40. Investigative Writing

Indicates your attention to detail, research skills, and critical thinking ability.

41. Legal Writing

A job-specific requirement. List it if the job descriptions hint at the ability to handle legal documents.

42. Pitch Deck Writing

Writing wonderful pitch decks will make you the boss’ favorite in no time. It also expresses your business acumen.

43. Playwriting

Not required in most cases, other than jobs in the entertainment industry. But having it means you are good with words and expressing ideas.

44. Poetry Writing

Writing poetry shows you are creative and imaginative. It can also show that you have a deeper level of sensitivity and emotional intelligence.

45. Presentation Writing

Writing a stellar presentation is almost 70% of the job of giving an impeccable presentation.

46. Press Release Writing

Often required for many positions in public relations, public affairs, and mass communications. Having this ability would prove you to be an asset to the team.

47. Proofreading

Having this skill means you will keep office correspondence and documents flawless.

48. Report Writing

Previous experience and your ability to describe and analyze all the crucial business updates for your office meetings will make you stand out among others.

49. Research

No writing is possible without research. Even creative writing requires it to some extent. So, add it to your resume as needed.

50. Screenwriting

Required for some specific jobs in the entertainment industry. Having this skill means you are creative.

51. Social Media Skills

Social media management and writing are popular skills sought after for digital marketing positions.

52. Speech Writing

Not always required. But having it would benefit you for certain jobs, like office assistant, personal assistant, etc.

53. Summarizing

The ability to summarize events or documents concisely and accurately can be an important communication skill to have.

54. Technical Writing

Applying to a tech company? Having this skill will denote that you are familiar with the technology landscape.

55. Translation

If you know more than one language, translation is a great written communication skill to show off on your resume.

56. Visual communication

Having this skill allows you to convey ideas through visual formats such as infographics, charts, animation, etc.

57. Web Communication

A must for jobs that require constant communication over the internet, i.e. customer support.

Interpersonal Communication Skills For Your Resume

Interpersonal communication skills are essential for our day-to-day operations.

These skills describe how you work with other people in a work environment. These skills are especially important for leadership roles in an organization.

Let’s have a look at some of the best interpersonal communications skills to put on your resume.

58. Adaptability

Having adaptability means you excel at change management and can read changing situations easily.

59. Approachability

Approachability indicates how easy you are to work with. It shows that you are open to discussions with your team.

60. Coaching and Training

Having the ability to teach and coach others is a great asset to have in any employee or leader.

61. Collaborative Mindset

Required for working on teams and building lasting client relationships. Effective collaboration makes work effortless.

62. Convergent Thinking

A problem-solving tool used to arrive at a concrete answer using logical reasoning. Show off your logic and problem-solving skills.

63. Courtesy

A basic skill that we all should have. But being courteous in the most difficult of situations is a great skill to master.

64. Creative Thinking

A must for creative fields. But having it on your resume for business-related jobs also fares well.

65. Cross-Cultural Communication

A much-needed skill in today’s world of globalization. You need to constantly engage with people from various cultures across the globe.

66. Diplomacy

Although required on a daily basis, it is essential for jobs involving international relations.

67. Divergent Thinking

A problem-solving tool that uses multiple possible solutions to come up with ideas or answers. Show that you are creative and open-minded.

68. Emotional Intelligence

An underrated interpersonal skill. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in rapport building by forming an understanding of others at an emotional level.

69. Empathy

A must for your personal as well as professional life. Understanding the pains of your clients or audience is what makes you the best at what you do and say.

70. Flexibility

Flexibility is a must for creating a smooth workflow. Working with others and in certain situations can require a great amount of compromise.

71. Friendliness

A great skill to have for any kind of career that involves co-workers or customers.

72. Giving and Receiving Feedback

Being able to give and receive constructive feedback shows that you are open to improving yourself and helping others succeed.

73. Honesty

Another much-needed skill for any job. You should always be honest to keep you and your company out of trouble.

74. Identifying Personality Types

If you know how and what to say based on someone’s personality and values, you can get the desired result out of any interpersonal communicative situation.

75. Improvisation

Improvisation skill is a lifesaver in awkward situations. Shows that you are an out-of-the-box thinker.

76. Interviewing

An essential HR management skill. Indicates that you contribute to the recruitment process and can select the best candidates for a position.

77. Leadership

Leadership skills come with experience and practice. If you are applying to management roles, be sure to include leadership skills on your resume.

78. Logical Thinking

Logical thinking is a must for every job. But more so for jobs in business development, strategy, and planning.

79. Mediation Skills

Having this skill helps in day-to-day conflict management. It is also essential to work in corporate legal teams.

80. Mentoring

The same is true for mentoring. This skill is a leadership trait and enables you to set an example and keep your whole team in sync.

81. Motivating

Including this interpersonal communication skill on your resume indicates that you are optimistic and a team player.

82. Negative Reinforcement

An interpersonal skill for leadership and executive roles. It allows you to keep your team on the right track.

83. Negotiating

Stellar negotiation skills are a great advantage when it comes to interpersonal communication. It lets you create a win-win situation for all the parties involved.

84. Networking

Networking is a communication skill that is great to have for your own career growth as well as for your company’s progress.

85. Positive Reinforcement

This is a required skill for leadership and executive roles. It allows you to constantly improve your team.

86. Problem Sensitivity

The ability to sense the pain points and problems of your clients is a great skill, specifically in sales and marketing.

87. Psychology

Having a basic knowledge of psychology helps you to understand others better, and improves your interpersonal communication.

88. Rapport Building

Interpersonal communication is all about building lasting relationships. Rapport building is a must-have skill when you will be working directly with clients.

89. Reading Facial Expressions

A non-verbal communication skill that allows you to get the vibe of your audience and craft your message accordingly.

90. Respect

Every recruiter keeps an eye open to detect disrespectful behavior in potential employees.

91. Responsiveness

Responsiveness means that you are proactive and a team player. You are also able to take appropriate action quickly.

92. Social Skills

Social skills are great for networking events. Employees with stellar social skills can attract clients to their companies.

93. Strategic Thinking

A must-have skill for business development, planning, management, leadership, and executive roles.

94. Team Building

Teamwork is fine, but team building is even better. Team building is the ability of a leader.

95. Teamwork

Every employer wants a team player in their organization. The ability to selflessly work on a team is a trait that employers will be looking for.

96. Understanding Body Language

An often ignored, but very crucial part of interpersonal communications. A lot depends on reading and using body language signs.

97. Understanding Non-Verbal Cues

Reading non-verbal cues is essential for knowing how the other person is feeling and what you should say or do next.

98. Utilizing Non-Verbal Tools

Hand gestures, facial expressions, touch, and eye contact are important parts of interpersonal communication. Using them appropriately is an essential skill.

99. Versatility

Versatility means you are flexible, can communicate across mediums, and handle difficult situations with calmness and ease.

100. Visualizing

Be it with words or creative art forms, visualizing skills are often required for many jobs, i.e. customer experience manager and creative director.

(Check this article out for more hard and soft skills: Most Important Skills for a Resume .)

How to Add Communication Skills To Your Resume

How do you include your communication skills on your resume? Depending on the jobs you are targeting, you may need to list written, verbal, or interpersonal skills…or perhaps all three!

There are multiple ways you can put communication skills on your resume.

The first step is to take inventory of all of the communication skills that you possess. Use the list above to write down as many skills as you have.

Next, check the job description of the job that you are targeting. Look for any required or preferred skills the employer would like to see.

Compare the employer’s list to your list and any common skills will be the skills to add to your resume.

If your skills list falls a little short, double-check the job description for skills that may have been missed in your initial list. You can also research common skills for the role you are applying to.

The key is to list the communication skills on your resume that you possess, and  are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Resume Summary Section

Your resume summary, or professional summary, sits at the top of your resume and provides a summary of your highlights to your prospective employer.

It is only 4-6 sentences long, so you want to include your most impressive and relevant information.

Describe your skills using examples or experiences.

Here are some sample sentences from resume summaries that include communication skills:

Senior Marketing Leader with proven experience in driving the full scope of traditional, digital, social media, and content marketing for diverse organizations and Fortune 500 clients.

Cultivate team symmetry and drive adherence to industry best practices by effectively communicating with executives, teams, and stakeholders to ensure achievement of all financial goals.

Technical and business acumen with advanced knowledge of and experience with machine learning technologies, analytics solutions, and data warehouse tools.

Resume Skills Section

You can list your most relevant skills in the main “Skills”, “Core Competencies”, or “Area of Expertise” section of your resume.

This section of your resume quickly lists and highlights the skills you possess for the targetted job.

The main skills section of your resume is usually between your summary and your professional experience section.

List 12 -15 of the hard and soft skills you possess for the job. Use our list above to get started.

Professional Work Experience Section

You should also showcase the achievements that you have made possible using your verbal communication skills wherever suitable on your resume, i.e. in the previous job details, voluntary or extracurricular work.

In this section, you will write about any hard communication skills you have as well as soft skills.

Take a look at some example sentences from professional experience sections that include communication skills:

Recognized for consistently exceeding individual quotas by overcoming client objections, making appropriate product recommendations, and diffusing escalated client issues.

Mentored and coached resources in adopting Agile behaviors and principals, including 200 scrum masters, product owners, business owners, development teams and HR teams.

Drafted and edited legal documentation, including pleadings, appellate briefs, summonses, subpoenas, complaints, discovery and court filings, as well as transcribing dictation and drafting legal correspondence.

Consistently created viral content across several social media platforms in addition to playing a lead role within a team tasked with developing a $5MM financial presentation/analysis.

Educate providers on product portfolios, addressing their questions and concerns to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Sample Resume With Communication Skills

We’ve provided samples of adding good communication skills to your resume.

How does this look put together on one resume?

The communication skills used in this sample resume are underlined to show how these skills are used throughout a resume.

How your resume will look will depend on your own communication skills and what skills are required for the job you are applying for. Every job is different and every resume will be too.

Key Takeaways

The most important lessons from the article are worth repeating: 

• Having effective communication skills is a must in today’s world of business.
• Communication skills to include on your resume are skills related to verbal, non-verbal, interpersonal, and written communication.
• You must include only relevant communication skills on your resume to be seen as the perfect fit for your desired job.
• You can highlight your communication skills in various sections of your resume.
• Back up your skills with examples and achievements in your resume.

Follow these guidelines to list communication skills on your resume and rest assured that you will get noticed.

Of course, an effective resume is more than great communication skills on a mediocre resume. Your entire resume needs to shine!

If you’d rather have a professional take care of all of this for you, no problem! Professional resume writers create successful resumes with effective communication skills for clients every day. Check out how Find My Profession  can help you!

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The Top 10 Communication Skills To Include On Your Resume

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When writing a resume , most of us assume that employees only care about the hard skills . What software can we use? What processes do we know? What machines can we operate?

Believe it or not, though, 61 percent of employers consider soft skills to be equally important when making hiring decisions. 

Perhaps the most important soft skill is communication. Why? Because without strong interpersonal communication skills , you can’t build relationships. You also can’t resolve conflict or achieve common goals. 

Here’s the 101 on what communication skills are, how to include them on your resume, and which ones employers are looking for the most.

Top 10 best communication skills employers look for

1. active listening.

It’s not enough to simply hear what somebody is saying in the workplace – you need to be able to understand and process it too. Active listening involves taking in the whole message, not just the words, and responding accordingly.

• Listen to and understand what people are saying.
• Give your full attention to the speaker.
• Ask questions to clarify information.
• Summarize or repeat back what has been said.
• Show that you’re engaged in the conversation.

To show that you have active listening skills on your resume, try to include examples of times when you’ve used them in the workplace. This could be anything from leading a team meeting to resolving a conflict with a coworker. 

Employers are more eager than ever to find emotionally competent employees. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.  

• Being aware of other people’s feelings and perspectives.
• Listening with patience and understanding.
• Responding with sensitivity and compassion.
• Asking questions to clarify someone else’s experience.
• Avoiding making assumptions about others’ feelings.
• Never talking down to someone.

Want to highlight your empathy on your resume? Include examples of giving feedback or supporting a coworker. 

3. Confidence

A good communicator is someone who is confident in themselves and their abilities. This doesn’t mean being cocky or overbearing, but rather having a healthy sense of self-assurance. 

• Standing up for yourself and your beliefs.
• Speaking up in meetings and group discussions.
• Sharing your ideas and opinions openly.
• Being assertive without being aggressive.
• Accepting feedback gracefully.

To demonstrate your confidence on your resume, you might highlight a time when you gave a presentation or took charge of a project. 

4. Friendliness

This might seem overly simple for a resume soft skill, but you’d be surprised how many job applicants come across as cold or unapproachable.

Being friendly is important for building strong workplace relationships. Employers value it. 

• Greeting people warmly when you see them.
• Offering help or assistance when you can.
• Asking questions about others’ interests and hobbies.
• Taking an interest in new coworkers.
• Celebrating birthdays and workplace milestones.

Remember, employers want to see your humanity, not just your higher education or long list of talents. 

5. Clarity and directness

This is another soft skill that’s often overlooked but is very important in the workplace. Clear communication is vital at work. This is especially true for giving or getting instructions. 

• Speaking in a clear, concise manner.
• Using “I” statements.
• Avoiding ambiguity or vagueness in your language.
• Giving specific examples to illustrate your point.
• Asking for clarification if you’re unsure about something.
• Listening carefully to ensure you understand what’s being said.

Clear communication is a key part of any successful workplace, so make sure it’s included on your resume with the rest of your work related skills .

6. Choosing the right communication method

Choosing the appropriate method to convey your message is crucial for effective communication. Different situations require different communication methods to ensure the message is received correctly.

• Assess the situation to determine the best communication method.
• Use formal communication for professional settings.
• Utilize informal communication for casual interactions.
• Switch between email, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings as needed.
• Adapt your communication style to the audience.

To highlight this skill, mention times where you used different communication methods to achieve goals.

7. Sharing feedback

Providing and receiving feedback is an essential communication skill in the workplace. Constructive feedback helps improve performance and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

• Offer feedback that is specific and actionable.
• Deliver feedback in a positive and constructive manner.
• Accept feedback with an open mind.
• Implement feedback to improve performance.
• Encourage a feedback-rich environment.

Show how you can give and get feedback. Share examples of how feedback helped your work or team.

8. Volume and tone

The volume and tone of your voice can significantly impact how your message is received. Speaking in an appropriate volume and tone ensures clarity and avoids misunderstandings.

• Adjust your volume to suit the setting and audience.
• Use a tone that matches the context of the conversation.
• Avoid speaking too loudly or too softly.
• Modulate your voice to maintain interest and engagement.
• Use tone to convey emotions and emphasis appropriately.

Show how you use volume and tone well. Do this by giving examples of good presentations and tough conversations.

Respect in communication involves valuing others’ viewpoints and maintaining a courteous demeanor. It is essential for building trust and fostering positive relationships in the workplace.

• Listen without interrupting.
• Show appreciation for others’ ideas and contributions.
• Communicate in a way that respects cultural and individual differences.
• Use polite and respectful language.
• Maintain a positive attitude even during disagreements.

Show respect by sharing examples. In them, you navigated diverse opinions and kept professional relationships.

10. Responsiveness

Being responsive in communication means addressing queries and concerns promptly. It shows reliability and a commitment to effective communication.

• Respond to emails and messages in a timely manner.
• Prioritize urgent communication needs.
• Keep others informed about the status of ongoing tasks.
• Follow up on requests and promises.
• Adapt your responsiveness to the expectations of your role and industry.

Show how you are responsive. Include examples. In these, quick communication led to success or fixed problems fast.

Our AI-powered resume score checker helps you write the perfect resume.

What are communication skills?

“Communication skills” is a broad term. It covers a wide range of abilities. They include both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Some of the most common communication skills include: 

• Active listening
• Clear and concise writing
• Public speaking
• Persuasion/negotiation
• Emotional intelligence

As you can see, there’s more to being a good communicator than first meets the eye. Employers want to know that you can share your ideas. They also want to know you can understand and respond to others’ ideas.  

Why you need communication skills

So, why are communication skills so important? Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons: 

• Communication is how we build relationships – Strong skills are essential for maintaining good relationships with co-workers, customers, and clients.
• Communication allows us to resolve conflict – Conflict will happen. Being able to talk with those involved is crucial for finding a resolution that everyone can live with.
• Communication lets teams achieve common goals – To work together, we must be able to communicate well.
• Communication is how we give and receive feedback – Feedback is a crucial part of growth, both professionally and personally. You need strong communication skills. They are required for giving feedback that is clear, short, and helpful. You also need them for receiving feedback gracefully.

Communication skills touch on all aspects of our professional and personal lives. They are key for building good relationships. They help in resolving conflict and working as a team. They also aid in growing and developing. 

Verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills

Communication skills can be divided into two main categories: verbal and nonverbal communication. Let’s take a closer look at each one. 

Verbal communication skills

Verbal communication skills are those that involve using words to communicate. This could be communicating in the form of face-to-face conversation, over the phone, or even in writing. 

• Speaking clearly and concisely – Employers are looking for candidates who can communicate their ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Listening actively – Active listening is a key communication skill that involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also taking the time to understand and process it.
• Giving and receiving feedback – This is an important part of communication, and one that employers will be paying close attention to.

Verbal communication is often what people think of first when they think of communication skills. But remember, there’s a whole other side to the story! 

Nonverbal communication skills

Did you know that more than 70 percent of our communication takes place nonverbally? Some experts even estimate that as much as 93 percent of communication is nonverbal.

Nonverbal communication is any type of communication that doesn’t involve using words. This could be body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, or even the way we dress. 

• Reading body language – Being able to read and understand the nonverbal cues of those around us is a key part of effective communication.
• Using facial expressions – Our facial expressions can communicate a lot about how we’re feeling, even when we don’t say a word.
• Maintaining eye contact – Without eye contact, it can be difficult to build trust and rapport with others.

Written communication skills

Written communication involves expressing ideas clearly and concisely through written words. This can include emails, reports, memos, or any other written document.

• Clear and concise writing – Being able to convey your message in a straightforward manner is crucial.
• Grammar and spelling – Proper grammar and spelling are essential for professional communication.
• Editing and proofreading – Ensuring your written communication is error-free shows attention to detail.

But what specific skills or abilities are employers looking for in an interview? How can you explain your communication skills on your resume?

Who needs communication skills?

Just about everyone! Effective communication is a fundamental skill that transcends industries and job roles.

Skills such as clear and effective communication are vital for numerous professions. A software engineer’s skills should include it, just as much as it’s essential among nursing skills . It’s also a key teacher skill , since they have to be able to explain complex ideas to students. Similarly, financial analyst skills include the ability to clearly interpret and present data. Even a project manager’s skills are incomplete without effective communication.

Developing communication skills for future jobs

If you’re reading the communication skills examples listed above and feeling a little lost, don’t worry. These skills can be learned and developed over time. The key is to start practicing now so that you can be prepared for future opportunities. 

1. Join a Toastmasters club : This organization helps its members improve their public speaking and leadership skills.

2. Take a class : Many community colleges offer adult education classes on topics like effective communication, business writing, and public speaking.

3. Get a mentor : Ask a friend, family member, or trusted coworker to help you improve your communication skills. They can give you feedback and offer suggestions for improvement.

4. Self-Assessment and feedback : Seek feedback from colleagues. Use it to find areas to improve.

5. Practicing active listening : Focus on truly understanding the speaker’s message. You should ask clarifying questions and give feedback that shows you are engaged.

It’s never too late to start developing your people skills. By taking the time to improve these important abilities , you’ll be better prepared for success in your future career.

How to highlight communication skills on your resume

A well-written resume is itself a demonstration of strong communication skills. Making sure that your resume has an effective and professional structure and is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Also, you may want to include positive communication skills in your resume’s skills section. This is especially true if the job post calls for them.

• Be specific. For example, say when you successfully communicated.
• Tailor to the job description. Highlight the mentioned communication skills. For example: presenting, influencing, managing, and writing.
• Use strong action verbs. Words like “orchestrated,” “directed,” and “negotiated” show strong communication.
• Provide quantified results. For example, instead of writing “Responsible for communication,” say that you “led a plan that increased team efficiency by 30%.””
• Utilize bullet points: Make your achievements easy to scan.

It’s one thing to know the importance of adding communication skills on your resume, but it also helps to see it. Below are specific examples of great ways to showcase these communications skills to your resume. Using a Power Edit tool is the best way to make sure you’re adding the right skills in the right places.

• I managed international stakeholders in India, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. I did this by hosting daily standups and coordinating weekly status reports.
• I managed team projects and communications across global time zones. I did it efficiently using Slack and Zoom. This led to a 40% increase in project delivery speed.
• Wrote and produced 100+ client prospecting video emails, leading to 50+ leads and landing major accounts.

Adding these skills to your resume will help you land more interviews. But if you want to take your job search to the next level, try a tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . It uses the latest AI technology to analyze your resume and provide you with a score .

Communication skills FAQ page

1. Active listening 2. Empathy 3. Confidence 4. Friendliness 5. Clarity and directness

1. Active listening 2. Empathy 3. Confidence 4. Friendliness 5. Clarity and directness 6. Using the right communication method 7. Sharing feedback

Good communication skills involve the ability to convey information clearly and effectively, listen actively, empathize with others, and respond appropriately to different communication situations.

1. Be clear and concise 2. Listen actively 3. Use the right communication method 4. Be mindful of nonverbal cues 5. Give and receive feedback

1. Practice active listening 2. Develop emotional intelligence 3. Seek feedback 4. Engage in public speaking opportunities 5. Take communication courses or workshops

Effective communication is the ability to convey information to others in a clear and understandable manner while also being able to listen and understand others’ messages.

Highlight specific examples of your communication skills in action on your resume, cover letter , and during interviews. Use measurable results and concrete examples to demonstrate your abilities.

Communication skills are important because they enable you to build relationships, resolve conflicts, achieve goals, and give and receive feedback effectively.

Content Writer at Jobscan.

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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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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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Over 20 Effective Communication Skills (Good for a Resume)

Which Communication Skills Should You List on Your Resume?

Acing the interview: what to do before, during, and after, frequently asked questions about communication skills.

Employers understand good communication is key to increased productivity, effectiveness, and overall efficiency. Regardless of your occupation, demonstrating interpersonal skills on your resume will show that your qualifications extend beyond technical expertise. This guide provides expert tips and a list of over 20 communication skills you can use to build a well-rounded resume that presents you as a versatile candidate.

Employers are looking for candidates with soft skills . Emphasizing your effectiveness as a communicator is a great way to show hiring managers you have the emotional intelligence to succeed.

But what do employers mean when they require someone with “good communication,” and how do you list that on your resume? Let’s explore strategies you can employ to showcase your interpersonal skills in a compelling manner.

What are communication skills?

Communication is conveying knowledge of or information about something. We do this every day without thinking much of it. But communication skills allow you to convey information effectively in various contexts.

No matter the industry you work in, you’ll be required to communicate with others. However, the types of interpersonal skills you’ll need will vary. Interactions with patients, customers, colleagues, and leadership all require different abilities within the umbrella of communication. Let’s look at some of those skills below.

Which communication skills do you have?

The soft skills you’ll need to include on your resume will depend on the job description and function of your role. Below, we’ve compiled over 20 resume skills and their related abilities to give you a good idea of what you may need to demonstrate to potential employers.

How should you list communication skills on your resume?

When demonstrating communication skills on your resume, there are a few options to choose from, but it’s often best to do a combination of the following:

• Cover letter: Including a cover letter not only demonstrates your communication in action, but gives you more space to elaborate on your resume skills. The only caveat to this approach is that some hiring managers don’t read cover letters in-depth, if at all.
• Key skills list: Create a simple bulleted list of technical and soft skills that match those of the specific job you’re applying for. This makes it easy for the reader by providing a quick overview.
• Professional experience section: In the job descriptions of your past positions, describe how you applied your skills to provide hiring managers with a clear picture of your abilities. This is a great way to go in-depth on your soft skills, but may not be fully captured if readers only do a quick scan of your resume.

An interview is likely your first direct interaction with potential employers. This is the perfect place to prove your communication skills in real-time, as the interviewer will be taking note of what you say and how you say it. So, let’s discuss how you can come to the interview ready and able to communicate effectively.

Be prepared to back up your skills with your experience

If you list a skill on your resume, be ready to explain it further to employers. Before your interview, have a few examples prepared that demonstrate how you’ve used communication in the past. This gives the hiring manager confidence that you can transfer your skills seamlessly to the new position.

How do you showcase communication skills during your interview?

Whether you’re interviewing on Zoom, over the phone, or in person, here are a few communication skills you can intentionally demonstrate during an interview:

• Active listening: Engage in the conversation by being a good listener. Nod your head, paraphrase (restate their thoughts in your own words), and ask follow-up questions.
• Clarity and conciseness: Respect the interviewer’s time and show that you can stay focused on the topic at hand. Avoid unnecessary details and long explanations.
• Nonverbal communication: Be aware of your body when you’re speaking and listening. Make eye contact and sit up straight to convey your interest and professionalism.
• Positive tone and attitude: Be mindful of the way you’re speaking and how you describe past experiences. Keep things positive even when speaking about challenging subjects.
• Verbal communication: Speak clearly and confidently. Don’t talk too fast or too slow, and avoid filler words such as “um,” “uh,” and “like.”

Following up after the interview

Express your gratitude and reinforce your interest in the position by sending a thank you note after your interview. This also serves as another way you can highlight the soft skill of professionalism to hiring managers.

Aim to send this note by email 24 to 48 hours after the interview. If you’re not sure what to say, see our thank you note examples guide for inspiration.

How do you quantify communication skills? -

In your professional experience section, use numbers when describing how you used communication to achieve results. You can do this by including things such as:

• Customer satisfaction and patient satisfaction scores
• High client retention rates
• Increase in social media engagement
• Number of people trained, positive impact on team performance
• Revenue increase resulting from successful negotiations

Is communication the most important soft skill to put on a resume? -

According to a 2022 LinkedIn survey , employers agree that resume skills like communication are a top priority. However, always look at the job description of the position you’re applying for to determine which skills are most important for you to highlight. There is likely a select set of communication skill requirements listed in the job posting, so tailor your resume to include those keywords mentioned by the employer.

How do I develop my soft skills and communication skills? -

Identify the specific abilities you’d like to work on and create a few goals for yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, ask for feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. People who interact with you regularly can provide great insight into what they’ve observed and experienced.

Once you have a clear picture of what to develop, start practicing. The only way to improve is to jump in and give it a try. Make a conscious effort to practice these skills at work, at home, and as you go about your day. If you need more help leveling up your interpersonal skills, look to books, training, and role-playing for extra insight and practice.

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10 Other Ways to Say “Good Communication Skills” on Your Resume (with Examples)

Are you looking for impactful ways to demonstrate your stellar communication abilities on your resume or CV, without simply listing “good communication skills” under your skills section?

As someone who has reviewed hundreds of resumes throughout my career as a hiring manager, I can tell you that explicitly stating “good communication skills” doesn’t do much to show me that you have them. But featuring concrete examples of how you’ve applied communication abilities in past roles? Now that catches my eye.

In this blog post, I’ll highlight 10 techniques you can use on your resume/CV to exhibit your verbal, written, interpersonal, and public speaking skills, without ever directly saying “good communication skills.” From highlighting presentations you’ve developed to showcasing rapport-building with colleagues, these examples will help hiring managers immediately recognize your knack for successful communication.

So if you’re ready to refresh your resume and demonstrate, not tell, about your standout communication talents, read on!

Is “Good Communication Skills” a Good CV/Resume Word?

At first glance, “good communication skills” may seem like a strong resume keyword to include. However, simply listing this generic term does little to showcase your abilities . Instead, it’s more impactful to demonstrate communication skills through concrete examples .

For team-oriented or customer-facing roles especially, use your resume to highlight instances of successful communication . For example, quantifying presentations delivered, meetings led, or rapport built with colleagues powerfully proves you can connect with audiences.

Remember, communication is less about buzzwords and more about displaying versatility. Showcase instances of adjusting your style for diverse settings or mediums. Use active verbs to compel rather than merely tell.

The bottom line? Don’t just say you have communication skills. Prove it through stand-out resume examples that emphasize you are a nuanced, adept communicator ready to engage audiences in any role.

As we go further in this article, we’ll explore more compelling “good communication skills” alternatives or synonyms to highlight your verbal, written, interpersonal, and public speaking talents. You’ll learn powerful verbs and specific instances that exhibit sophistication as a communicator.

We’ve provided actionable tips and tailored examples to help you showcase communication excellence. Avoid resume buzzwords and learn how to exhibit nuance, versatility, and resonance as a communicator.

What to Say Instead of “Good Communication Skills” on a Resume or CV

• Articulate and persuasive communicator
• Masterful storyteller and presenter
• Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences
• Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork
• Active listener and constructive feedback provider
• Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller
• Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums
• Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts
• Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise
• Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals

Key Takeaways:

• Show, don’t tell:  Instead of simply stating you have “good communication skills,” use action verbs and specific examples to demonstrate your abilities in different situations. Start your sentences with “I am a…” to personalize and actively showcase your communication prowess.
• Tailor your language:  Consider the specific role and industry you’re applying to when choosing synonyms and phrasing your examples. Highlight skills relevant to the position and avoid overly generic statements.
• Go beyond “communication skills”:  Emphasize specific aspects of communication you excel in, such as active listening, storytelling, cultural awareness, or content writing. This showcases your unique strengths and versatility.
• Focus on impact:  Don’t just describe your actions, quantify the results of your communication efforts. Mention increased engagement, achieved buy-in, or improved performance to demonstrate the value you bring.
• Be concise and confident:  While providing specific examples, keep your resume entries brief and impactful. Use strong verbs and positive language to project confidence in your communication abilities.

Enhance your resume with impactful synonyms for “good communication skills.” We’ll explore the best options and help you use them effectively to showcase your communication strengths and shine in interviews.

1. Articulate and persuasive communicator

Pros: Concise, highlights both verbal and written skills , emphasizes ability to convince others.

Cons: Might sound less impactful than “excellent,” which could be interpreted as mainly focused on persuasion.

Example: I am an “ Articulate and persuasive communicator with a proven ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences and win buy-in for new initiatives.”

2. Masterful storyteller and presenter

Pros: Emphasizes ability to engage audiences, and showcases creative communication skills.

Cons: Might not be suitable for all roles, and could be perceived as overly dramatic for some contexts.

Example: I am a “ Masterful storyteller and presenter , skilled at weaving data, anecdotes, and visuals into compelling narratives that captivate audiences and drive action.”

3. Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences

Pros: Highlights versatility and cultural sensitivity , valuable in today’s globalized workplaces.

Cons: Less concise than other options, might not be relevant for all roles.

Example: I am an “ Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences , with experience crafting presentations for technical experts, executive boards, and the general public.”

4. Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork

Pros: Emphasizes interpersonal skills, valuable for team-based roles and leadership positions.

Cons: Might not be as relevant for roles focused on individual communication.

Example: “ Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork , adept at facilitating discussions, resolving conflicts, and achieving consensus among diverse groups.”

5. Active listener and constructive feedback provider

Pros: Highlights ability to listen effectively and provide helpful feedback, crucial for personal and professional growth.

Cons: Focuses on one specific aspect of communication, might not be the most impactful choice.

Example: I am an “ Active listener and constructive feedback provider , skilled at drawing out ideas from others, offering actionable feedback that leads to improved performance.”

6. Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller

Pros: Similar to “Masterful storyteller,” but emphasizes public speaking skills specifically.

Cons: Might not be relevant for roles with limited public speaking requirements.

Example: I am an “ Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller , with experience delivering presentations to audiences of all sizes, from small team meetings to industry conferences.”

7. Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums

Pros: Highlights versatility in writing skills, important for content creation and marketing roles.

Cons: Might not be as relevant for roles with limited writing requirements.

Example: I am a “ Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums , including blog posts, website copy, social media content, and email campaigns, with a proven track record of driving engagement and conversions .”

8. Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts

Pros: Similar to “ Adaptable communicator, ” but emphasizes cultural awareness specifically.

Cons: Might not be relevant for roles with limited interaction with diverse audiences.

Example: I am a “ Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts , with experience working effectively in multicultural teams and communicating across language and cultural barriers.”

9. Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise

Pros: Highlights public speaking skills and ability to command attention.

Cons: Might sound less specific than other options, similar to “ Confident public presence .”

Example: I am a “ Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise , comfortable speaking in front of large audiences and tailoring presentations to diverse needs.”

10. Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals

Pros: Emphasizes ability to tailor communication for specific objectives.

Cons: Might sound less approachable than other options, focusing more on strategy than personality.

Example: I am a “ Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals , with experience developing targeted communication plans that resonate with specific audiences and drive desired outcomes.”

Any Parting words?

Achieving communication excellence is about much more than just saying you have “good communication skills.” By now, you have a toolbox of compelling techniques to showcase your sophistication.

To recap, avoid resume buzzwords and generic claims. Opt for active verbs and tailored examples that bring your abilities to life. Highlight nuance by showcasing adjustments across diverse contexts. Emphasize achievements by strategically formatting key items.

Follow these tips, and your resume will reveal the depth of your communication talents . Hiring managers will immediately recognize your ability to connect with any audience, adjust your style, articulate complex information, and represent your organization powerfully.

So next time your resume needs updating, skip the nebulous claims. Showcase your communication skills strategically through the many avenues we’ve covered today. You’ll convey true excellence as a communicator while making your resume stand out.

The examples and alternatives provided equip you with everything needed to express your communication capabilities persuasively. Now it’s time to put these strategies into action as you present your most compelling resume yet.

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7 Communications Resume Examples to Land a Job in 2024

Communications Resume

• Communications Resumes by Experience
• Communications Resumes by Role
• Write Your Communications Resume

You’re the orchestrator of effective messaging and brand image. With strategic finesse, you shape and disseminate information, ensuring it resonates with the target audience. 

Navigating the intricate world of communication strategies, crisis management, and media relations is your forte. However, it can be a lot harder to communicate your strengths to a potential employer.

That’s where we come in. Our communications resume examples are expertly crafted and ready to help you shape your work experience into exactly what recruiters are looking for.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• It’s advisable to include how you shortened response time and ensured reliable information flow during a crisis in your communications resume. It sets you apart from others who may have never handled communication in such a situation.

Communications Major Resume

• Think of a brief paragraph of about three sentences that serves as a sneak peek into your ambitions and why you’re itching to be part of the team. It can be downright magnetic. As for where to stash it? Right at the top of your communications major resume (below the header or in the side column) is a prime spot.

Communications Coordinator Resume

• If you’re proficient with must-haves like Slack, Asana, Hootsuite, Canva, and Google Analytics, give them a shoutout in the Skills and Work Experience sections. It’s like decking your communications coordinator resume in its Sunday best, and trust us, it will pop in a pile of blandness.

Communications Manager Resume

• And not just the collaboration, your communications manager resume should delve into the details of what was achieved through collective efforts such as increasing website traffic.

Communications Director Resume

• Ideally, summarize your responsibilities and wins for each role in four bullet points. But again, you don’t want your communications director resume to spill over one page, so keep these points snappy and punchy. For industry-unrelated experiences, strive to showcase yourself mastering or using proficiencies transferable to the open role.

Internal Communications Resume

• See how Jennifer’s internal communications resume talks about boosting brand mentions by 44% at Zimmerman Advertising. But don’t just focus on percentages. You could talk about increasing click-throughs by a particular number of clicks, reducing email response time by a certain number of minutes, or improving customer ratings by certain a margin on a scale of 0 to 5 or 0 to 10.

Communications Specialist Resume

• In your communications specialist resume, highlight the number of times you ensured the company reputation was intact and accompany it with the record of ensuring a positive brand image across media platforms.

Related resume examples

• Brand Ambassador
• Digital Marketing
• Social Media Manager
• Marketing Manager

Write a Communications Resume that Fits the Job Perfectly

Companies depend on you to craft compelling narratives and adapt your tone to various channels, be it social media or press releases, strengthening relationships and boosting organizational reputation. These abilities are the backbone of your resume, so aim for detailed and specific skills rather than generic terms like “good communicator.”

Given your role’s diverse demands, focus on a balance of technical and soft skills . Highlight software proficiencies, digital tools, and your ability to craft compelling content across many platforms. Don’t forget to mention your expertise in PR strategies, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Your resume should closely align with the job’s requirements, clearly showing recruiters your ability to enhance brand presence and execute effective communication strategies.

Need a few ideas?

15 top communications skills

• Media Relations
• Google Analytics 
• Content Creation
• Public Speaking
• Brand Management 
• Copywriting
• Project Management 
• Social Media
• Crisis Communication
• Managing Stakeholders 

Your communications work experience bullet points

Your resume’s work experience section is an opportunity to highlight significant achievements over mundane tasks. From devising intricate communication strategies to fostering brand growth and engagement, zone in on the things that really show off your impact.

This is because you’re responsible for the company’s reputation and cohesive messaging—both crucial to the health of any organization. You directly influence successful campaigns, audience engagement, and overall brand resonance.

Bolster each point with specific metrics to quantify your achievements in things like social media management and brand messaging. This ensures your accomplishments shine as the cornerstones of your professional journey.

• Showcase the effectiveness of your content strategy in capturing your audience’s attention and fostering engagement with social media engagement metrics.
• Talk about expanding media coverage in order to gain press visibility, boosting brand credibility and industry recognition
• Website traffic growth reflects the success of your online presence, content quality, and SEO efforts in attracting and retaining a larger audience.
• A high email campaign conversion rate proves that you’re a whiz at producing top-notch content in order to drive engagement and achieve campaign goals.

See what we mean?

• Collaborated with the marketing team on ClickUp to drive a 28% increase in website traffic through content optimization
• Grew Bloomberg’s social media presence and achieved a 53% increase in followers across platforms
• Led email marketing campaigns with Moosend, resulting in a 17% increase in email open rates
• Executed comprehensive communication plans for product launches, resulting in a 33% increase in media mentions

9 active verbs to start your communications work experience bullet points

• Collaborated

3 Tips for Crafting an Engaging Entry-Level Communications Resume

• Start your resume with a concise career objective highlighting your passion for effective communication and your desire to contribute to the company’s success. Tailor it to showcase your enthusiasm for utilizing your messaging, content creation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• If your professional experience is limited, it’s totally acceptable to focus on various projects and internships that demonstrate your practical skills. Describe how you managed social media campaigns, organized events, or contributed to content creation.
• Include coursework related to communication, marketing, or public relations. If you’ve achieved notable academic awards or honors, list them to showcase your dedication and excellence. 

3 Tips for Creating a Communications Resume as a Seasoned Pro

• To pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS), use relevant keywords from the job description . Doing so doesn’t just get you through AI resume checkers, but it also shows that you pay attention, which is crucial if you work in communications.
• Including various KPIs and metrics, such as increased social media engagement, expanded media coverage, or improved email campaign conversion rates, adds depth to your experience. Emphasize specific achievements that demonstrate your impact and prowess in strategic communication to really zone in on your expertise.
• Begin with a compelling summary, focusing on your unique value proposition and key skills. For mid-level roles, an objective can be replaced by a branding statement. Prioritize relevant experience, including internships and certifications that showcase your aptitude for effective communication.

Certifications like HubSpot Inbound Marketing, Google Analytics, or Social Media Marketing can reinforce your proficiency in strategic communication, data analysis, and digital marketing. This applies to most roles in communications, not just managerial positions.

If they’re relevant to the role or highlight communication-related skills—such as writing for a blog, volunteering in PR, or participating in public speaking— hobbies and interests can provide additional context to your profile, especially if you’re low on professional experience . Otherwise, it’s best to save the space for your work background.

Align your skills with the job description . Prioritize technical skills like social media management tools, SEO software, and content creation platforms. Your soft skills will get their time in the spotlight when creating a cover letter .

Mastering interpersonal skills: unlocking success in your personal and professional life

Aug 22, 2024

Posted by: Regine Fe Arat

Boosting your interpersonal skills is a great way to improve various aspects of your life.

In this article, we’ll look at what interpersonal skills are, some examples of how you can use them, why they are important and how to improve them.

What are interpersonal skills?

You use interpersonal skills every day to interact with other people. They are the abilities and qualities that enable you to interact effectively with others in personal and professional contexts.

Interpersonal skills encompass many things and, as you’ll see, they are interconnected. Here are some of them:

• Verbal and non-verbal communication abilities: verbal communication involves what you say and how you say it. Non-verbal communication is everything you say without words. Body language and tone of voice are examples.
• Emotional intelligence: this means understanding and managing your own emotions and those of others. It involves many other interpersonal skills, including empathy and active listening. It allows you to build stronger, more meaningful connections with others.
• Empathy: this interpersonal skill involves fully concentrating on and comprehending what other people say, picking up on non-verbal cues. Attentive, empathetic listening enables you to respond appropriately and build stronger connections with other people.
• Active listening: when you fully concentrate, understand, respond to and remember what someone says, you have actively listened to them. Active listening deepens connections and promotes mutual understanding – crucial for effective communication and relationship-building. It’s also vital in conflict resolution.
• Conflict resolution: a key skill for leaders, conflict resolution involves addressing disputes peacefully, understanding diverse perspectives and finding mutually acceptable solutions. It promotes cooperation, strengthens relationships and cultivates a positive environment, which is essential for productive interactions.
• Negotiation, persuasion and influencing: negotiation seeks mutually beneficial solutions, persuasion convinces others to see your perspective and influencing shapes other people’s behaviors or decisions. Together, they enhance communication, promote cooperation and help you achieve what you want from your interactions.
• Teamwork: this skill involves collaborating effectively with others, valuing diverse perspectives and working toward common goals. It requires communication, cooperation, trust and conflict resolution. The ultimate goal is for groups to achieve more together than they would individually.
• Leadership: good leaders inspire trust, encourage collaboration and navigate challenges effectively. They drive team success and create a positive, productive environment. Leaders need to guide and motivate others toward common goals. This skill requires effective communication, empathy and decision-making.
• Reliability: this is the ability to consistently meet expectations and commitments, building trust and dependability in your relationships. Reliability demonstrates respect for others and helps establish a foundation of trust. It’s a vital trait for leaders.
• Positivity: maintaining an optimistic and encouraging outlook isn’t always easy, but it enhances morale and resilience in various situations. A positive attitude can help create a supportive and uplifting environment. It promotes better relationships and makes others feel valued and appreciated.

Interpersonal skills are the foundation for building and maintaining successful relationships in all aspects of life. They allow individuals to express themselves clearly, understand other people’s perspectives and work together harmoniously. This leads to more positive outcomes, no matter the context of your interactions.

Examples of interpersonal skills in use

Let’s look at some real-life examples of how you might use these skills in various workplace situations:

• In a team meeting : an employee in the meeting uses active listening skills to understand their colleagues' ideas and concerns fully. They then clearly articulate their own thoughts, building upon the team's collective knowledge and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
• During a conflict : a manager employs emotional intelligence to empathize with each employee's perspective, acknowledging their feelings without judgment. By actively listening to both sides and communicating clearly and calmly, the manager facilitates a constructive dialogue that leads to a mutually agreeable resolution.
• While mentoring : a senior team member demonstrates reliability by consistently honoring their commitment to mentor a younger employee. They create a supportive environment by offering specific, constructive feedback and encouraging the mentee to ask questions and share ideas, ultimately fostering the mentee's professional growth and strengthening their relationship.
• In customer service : a customer service representative approaches a challenging customer interaction with positivity and empathy. They actively listen to the customer's concerns, validate their feelings, and maintain a calm, professional demeanor. By communicating clearly and working towards a solution, the representative turns a negative situation into a positive customer experience.
• Networking events : an employee attends a networking event and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills by engaging in balanced, meaningful conversations. They actively listen to others, ask thoughtful questions, and share their own experiences concisely. By focusing on building genuine connections rather than dominating discussions, they create lasting, positive impressions that expand their professional network.

By applying interpersonal skills in these situations, employees can foster a positive work environment, strengthen professional relationships, and achieve better outcomes.

How do you demonstrate interpersonal skills?

Most organizations are well aware of the value of interpersonal skills. If you can demonstrate to an employer that you have these skills, you'll increase your chances of getting or keeping the job. Not everyone knows how to demonstrate these skills, however. In this section, we'll show how to do so in a variety of contexts.

In a resume

A resume provides you with limited space and opportunity to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Focus on specific achievements that illustrate your competency in these areas. For example, highlight instances where your communication skills helped a project succeed or where your leadership contributed to team achievements. Phrases like "facilitated team meetings to enhance project alignment" or "resolved cross-departmental conflicts to maintain project timelines" showcase your interpersonal skills.

In interviews

If you've gotten past the resume phase and are going into an interview, you'll be under scrutiny from the moment the interviewer greets you. The next few minutes will be a strong test of your interpersonal skills. Make sure to make the impression count. Use positive body language and make direct eye contact. Answer any questions asked of you clearly and concisely, taking time when necessary to organize your thoughts to ensure you articulate them well. You'll be asked about past experiences at some point in the interview. Give examples of how your ability to work well with others has produced positive outcomes. You might use the STAR framework to help this process: 

S ituation: Describe the specific situation or context in which the event or challenge occurred. This helps the interviewer understand the background and sets the stage for your story.

T ask: Explain the task or responsibility you had to accomplish within that situation. This clarifies your role and the expectations you had to meet.

A ction: Detail your specific actions to address the situation or complete the task. This is the most important part of your answer, as it showcases your skills, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.

R esult: Conclude by describing the outcome of your actions. Quantify your results whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your efforts. Also, highlight what you learned from the experience and how it has influenced your professional growth.

In the workplace

This is perhaps the easiest way to demonstrate interpersonal skills. You're in the workplace five days a week. When you're at work, your interactions with colleagues are displayed for everyone to see, including those in management positions. When you actively listen to colleagues, communicate clearly with everyone, and constructively participate in meetings, you're demonstrating to everyone in the workplace that you possess great interpersonal skills.You can take this further by demonstrating a calm and solution-oriented approach to conflict resolution and taking the initiative to support and mentor new team members. This will demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to team success.

Can you learn interpersonal skills?

Not everyone is naturally gifted with strong interpersonal skills, which may lead some people to question whether these skills can be acquired. Fortunately, interpersonal skills can indeed be developed and improved, regardless of one's natural abilities. While it's true that some individuals may have a predisposition towards certain skills, everyone has the capacity to enhance their interpersonal abilities through practice and dedication.

One way to develop interpersonal skills is by participating in educational programs and workshops that focus on specific areas such as communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. These structured learning environments provide individuals with the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to improve their skills in a focused manner.

However, interpersonal skills can also be developed through everyday interactions and experiences. Activities involving collaboration with others, such as team sports, group projects, or customer service roles, can provide valuable opportunities to practice active listening, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. The key is to consciously focus on applying and refining these skills during these interactions.

To successfully develop interpersonal skills, individuals must prioritize self-awareness and reflection. By consistently analyzing one's own interactions and seeking feedback from others, individuals can gain valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge allows for targeted improvement efforts and continuous growth in interpersonal skills over time.

How to improve interpersonal skills

For those who want to improve their interpersonal skills, here are some other ways to consider:

Self-assessment and feedback

Improving interpersonal skills is an ongoing process that starts with self-assessment and feedback. Several assessment tools can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in communication, empathy and teamwork:

• 360-degree assessments : Gather feedback from colleagues at all levels to comprehensively assess your interpersonal skills.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessments : Evaluate your ability to recognize and manage emotions in yourself and others.
• Personality assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC): Gain insights into your communication style and preferences.
• Self-assessment questionnaires : Reflect on your own interpersonal skills, such as active listening and conflict resolution.

Feedback from colleagues is invaluable, as they can provide insights based on direct interactions with you. However, both self-assessments and feedback require honesty and openness to be effective. By genuinely reflecting on the results and committing to self-improvement, you can identify areas for growth and take steps to enhance your interpersonal skills.

Training and workshops

Training programs and workshops can be instrumental in developing interpersonal skills. These often involve role-playing activities, group discussions, and interactive sessions that allow participants to practice new skills in a supportive environment. Depending on the interpersonal skill you want to develop, these courses may be in-person workshops that help you practice speaking in front of others and working with them towards a common goal or online courses from platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning.

Practical tips for everyday practice

To hone interpersonal skills, daily practice is required. Setting personal goals, such as initiating conversations with colleagues or managing conflicts more effectively, can drive improvement. There are also tools available that can help. Reminder apps or journaling can help document and reinforce your goals. For tangible guidance, Pip Decks offers specific tactics for common interpersonal challenges, such as resolving disagreements or communicating more effectively in team settings. Making these cards a part of your daily routine can provide quick, accessible advice that complements other strategies. There are also plenty of helpful books on communication, behavioral psychology, and other topics that can improve your interpersonal skills.

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• Relationships

The Most Crucial Skill Sets for Successful Communication

Good communication depends on two skill sets that can be mastered..

Posted August 14, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

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I have spent more than four decades teaching basic communication skills to relationship partners. Successful communication depends on two sets of skills. The first is the mastery of the basic ABC's: learning how to speak clearly and listen deeply without defensiveness or invalidation of the other. Most relationship partners can practice and master these.

But, as is true for so many couples, these tried-and-true responses don’t always work when arguments become heated. If either partner begins to feel they are not going to be heard or get their needs met, they will be unable to resolve the issue that is causing their relationship distress.

To rescue a deteriorating argument, a couple must be able to activate the second skill: recognizing that something has gone wrong in the way they are interacting with each other. The interpersonal atmosphere is now tense and unsafe. The angry words being exchanged are becoming harsher. Exploration of different points of view is now impossible.

The example below illustrates how and when that second skill must be implemented to save an interaction that's going in the wrong direction.

Ben and Mary are trying to resolve an ongoing issue between them. They begin their interaction by using their basic communication skills. They are both trying hard to listen and understand the other’s point of view.

At some point, their interaction begins to go awry. They are both becoming more distressed and no longer feel heard by the other. Feelings and expressions escalate. Very soon, both are talking at each other rather than to each other.

They recognize that they are no longer on the same team. They have gone from two people who truly wanted to solve their dispute to trying to win an argument with an enemy. Both notice that the way in which they are interacting is interfering with their ability to listen objectively to what each is saying. They realize that, unless they feel and support each other’s mounting frustration and discouragement, and heal those reactions, they can no longer resolve the disagreement they are having.

The 2-Part Skill Sequence That Took Ben and Mary From Failing to Success

Ben: (expressing distress with his partner’s behavior) “I’m really uncomfortable about the way you treated my mother yesterday. You didn’t need to be that harsh, even if she was a little out of line.” Mary: (responding with good, basic communication skills) “I really try to understand her need to control you and I try so hard to be patient and wait for you to stop her, but it really distresses me and sometimes I just can’t hold back.” Ben: (wanting to hear her out but also to get his point across) “Look, I know it’s hard, but she’s the only mother I have, so I need you to sacrifice for me here so I’m not in the middle.” Mary: (now feeling unheard, misunderstood, and unsupported, feeling she has to counter-attack) “So, what you’re telling me is that she comes first no matter what my feelings are.” Ben: (now seeing Mary as an enemy and insulting her character) “Don’t go there. We’ve had this discussion so many times. I’m getting really frustrated again. You just aren’t getting it.” Mary: (now calling Ben someone who would sacrifice her to make himself okay) “So, I’m just supposed to suck it up, just to make you more comfortable?” Ben: (accusing Mary of trying to manipulate him) “Don’t pull this martyr crap on me, just to change my mind.”

Their interaction has now deteriorated into a power struggle with only one possible winner. If it continues in this direction, a resolution will not be possible and the issue will come up again with the same result.

Mary realizes what is happening and switches to the second skill.

Mary: (realizing they are no longer able to resolve the situation because they’ve lost each other’s support and care) “Hold on. We’re both so upset and we can’t hear each other anymore. We’ve lost each other’s support and understanding because we’re both afraid that we won’t get what we need. Let’s take a few minutes to calm down and get back on the same team. I love you and you love me. Your issues with your mom are yours to work out and I just need your support when they upset me.” Ben: (feeling her correct assessment of how they’re losing each other in the way they are interacting) “I’m sorry. I was feeling cornered and defensive, like I had to choose between the two of you. I hate it when I have to sacrifice you when she needs me but I just can’t abandon her when she is in so much trouble. I really need your help but I don’t want you to feel that you don’t matter because you are everything to me.” Mary: (softening and feeling like they are connecting again) “We can make this work. We just need to remember how much we love each other and not lose that when we need to fix something that is broken. I don’t have the connection to your mom the way you do and she does kind of drive me crazy at times, but I don’t want you to feel guilty either. I want to help you. At the same time, I know you have your own issues with her and we just need to find a way to balance things better.” Ben: (noticeably relaxing, some tears, head in his hands) “Thank you for caring. I feel more hopeful. You’re not my enemy or trying to hurt me, but sometimes I make you into that when I feel cornered. My mom can be too demanding. And when you care like this, it helps me to figure out how to set boundaries with her. I’ve always needed to do that.” Mary: (putting her arms around him) “We can do this together if we remember to stay connected when we’re trying to figure it out.”

Randi Gunther, Ph.D. , is a clinical psychologist and marriage counselor in Southern California.

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What is effective communication?

Tips for improving your communication skills.

• Tip 1: Understand the barriers to effective communication

Tip 2: Become an engaged listener

Tip 3: pay attention to nonverbal signals, tip 4: keep stress in check, tip 5: assert yourself, effective communication improving your interpersonal skills.

Want better communication skills? These tips will help you avoid misunderstandings, grasp the real meaning of what’s being communicated, and greatly improve your work and personal relationships.

Effective communication is about more than just exchanging information. It’s about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information. As well as being able to clearly convey a message, you need to also listen in a way that gains the full meaning of what’s being said and makes the other person feel heard and understood.

Effective communication sounds like it should be instinctive. But all too often, when we try to communicate with others something goes astray. We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and misunderstandings, frustration, and conflicts ensue. This can cause problems in your home, school, and work relationships.

But by learning effective communication skills, you can deepen your connections to others, build greater trust and respect, and improve teamwork, problem solving, and your overall social and emotional health

Whether you’re trying to improve communication with your romantic partner, kids, boss, or coworkers, learning the following communication skills can help strengthen your interpersonal relationships.

Tip 1: Understand what’s stopping you from communicating well

Common barriers to effective communication include:

Stress and out-of-control emotion.  When you’re stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. To avoid conflict and misunderstandings, you can learn how to quickly calm down before continuing a conversation.

Lack of focus.  You can’t communicate effectively when you’re multitasking. If you’re checking your phone , planning what you’re going to say next, or daydreaming, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. To communicate effectively, you need to avoid distractions and stay focused.

Inconsistent body language.  Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel that you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head no.

[Read: Nonverbal Communication and Body Language]

Negative body language.  If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you might use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree with, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively and not put the other person on the defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals.

When communicating with others, we often focus on what we should say. However, effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the speaker is trying to convey.

There’s a big difference between engaged listening and simply hearing. When you really listen—when you’re engaged with what’s being said—you’ll hear the subtle intonations in someone’s voice that tell you how that person is feeling and the emotions they’re trying to communicate. When you’re an engaged listener, not only will you better understand the other person, you’ll also make that person feel heard and understood, which can help build a stronger, deeper connection between you.

By communicating in this way, you’ll also experience a process that  lowers stress and supports physical and emotional well-being. If the person you’re talking to is calm, for example, listening in an engaged way will help to calm you, too. Similarly, if the person is agitated, you can help calm them by listening in an attentive way and making the person feel understood.

If your goal is to fully understand and connect with the other person, listening in an engaged way will often come naturally. If it doesn’t, try the following tips. The more you practice them, the more satisfying and rewarding your interactions with others will become.

Tips for becoming an engaged listener

Focus fully on the speaker.  You can’t listen in an engaged way if you’re  constantly checking your phone or thinking about something else. You need to stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience in order to pick up the subtle nuances and important nonverbal cues in a conversation. If you find it hard to concentrate on some speakers, try repeating their words over in your head—it’ll reinforce their message and help you stay focused.

Favor your right ear.  As strange as it sounds, the left side of the brain contains the primary processing centers for both speech comprehension and emotions. Since the left side of the brain is connected to the right side of the body, favoring your right ear can help you better detect the emotional nuances of what someone is saying.

Avoid interrupting or trying to redirect the conversation to your concerns.  By saying something like, “If you think that’s bad, let me tell you what happened to me.” Listening is not the same as waiting for your turn to talk. You can’t concentrate on what someone’s saying if you’re forming what you’re going to say next. Often, the speaker can read your facial expressions and know that your mind’s elsewhere.

Show your interest in what’s being said.  Nod occasionally, smile at the person, and make sure your posture is open and inviting. Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like “yes” or “uh huh.”

Try to set aside judgment.  In order to communicate effectively with someone, you don’t have to like them or agree with their ideas, values, or opinions. However, you do need to set aside your judgment and withhold blame and criticism in order to fully understand them. The most difficult communication, when successfully executed, can often lead to an unlikely connection with someone.

[Read: Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ)]

Provide feedback. If there seems to be a disconnect, reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. “What I’m hearing is,” or “Sounds like you are saying,” are great ways to reflect back. Don’t simply repeat what the speaker has said verbatim, though—you’ll sound insincere or unintelligent. Instead, express what the speaker’s words mean to you. Ask questions to clarify certain points: “What do you mean when you say…” or “Is this what you mean?”

Hear the emotion behind the words . It’s the higher frequencies of human speech that impart emotion. You can become more attuned to these frequencies—and thus better able to understand what others are really saying—by exercising the tiny muscles of your middle ear (the smallest in the body). You can do this by singing, playing a wind instrument, or listening to certain types of high-frequency music (a Mozart symphony or violin concerto, for example, rather than low-frequency rock, pop, or hip-hop).

The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, eye contact, posture, the tone of your voice, and even your muscle tension and breathing.

Developing the ability to understand and use nonverbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work.

• You can enhance effective communication by using open body language—arms uncrossed, standing with an open stance or sitting on the edge of your seat, and maintaining eye contact with the person you’re talking to.
• You can also use body language to emphasize or enhance your verbal message—patting a friend on the back while complimenting him on his success, for example, or pounding your fists to underline your message.

Improve how you  read nonverbal communication

Be aware of individual differences. People from different countries and cultures tend to use different nonverbal communication gestures, so it’s important to take age, culture, religion, gender, and emotional state into account when reading body language signals. An American teen, a grieving widow, and an Asian businessman, for example, are likely to use nonverbal signals differently.

Look at nonverbal communication signals as a group. Don’t read too much into a single gesture or nonverbal cue. Consider all of the nonverbal signals you receive, from eye contact to tone of voice to body language. Anyone can slip up occasionally and let eye contact go, for example, or briefly cross their arms without meaning to. Consider the signals as a whole to get a better “read” on a person.

Improve how you  deliver nonverbal communication

Use nonverbal signals that match up with your words rather than contradict them. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will feel confused or suspect that you’re being dishonest. For example, sitting with your arms crossed and shaking your head doesn’t match words telling the other person that you agree with what they’re saying.

Adjust your nonverbal signals according to the context. The tone of your voice, for example, should be different when you’re addressing a child than when you’re addressing a group of adults. Similarly, take into account the emotional state and cultural background of the person you’re interacting with.

Avoid negative body language. Instead, use body language to convey positive feelings, even when you’re not actually experiencing them. If you’re nervous about a situation—a job interview, important presentation, or first date, for example—you can use positive body language to signal confidence, even though you’re not feeling it. Instead of tentatively entering a room with your head down, eyes averted, and sliding into a chair, try standing tall with your shoulders back, smiling and maintaining eye contact, and delivering a firm handshake. It will make you feel more self-confident and help to put the other person at ease.

How many times have you felt stressed during a disagreement with your spouse, kids, boss, friends, or coworkers and then said or done something you later regretted? If you can quickly relieve stress and return to a calm state, you’ll not only avoid such regrets, but in many cases you’ll also help to calm the other person as well. It’s only when you’re in a calm, relaxed state that you’ll be able to know whether the situation requires a response, or whether the other person’s signals indicate it would be better to remain silent.

In situations such as a job interview, business presentation, high-pressure meeting, or introduction to a loved one’s family, for example, it’s important to manage your emotions, think on your feet, and effectively communicate under pressure.

Communicate effectively by staying calm under pressure

Use stalling tactics to give yourself time to think. Ask for a question to be repeated or for clarification of a statement before you respond.

Pause to collect your thoughts. Silence isn’t necessarily a bad thing—pausing can make you seem more in control than rushing your response.

Make one point and provide an example or supporting piece of information. If your response is too long or you waffle about a number of points, you risk losing the listener’s interest. Follow one point with an example and then gauge the listener’s reaction to tell if you should make a second point.

Deliver your words clearly. In many cases, how you say something can be as important as what you say. Speak clearly, maintain an even tone, and make eye contact. Keep your body language relaxed and open.

Wrap up with a summary and then stop. Summarize your response and then stop talking, even if it leaves a silence in the room. You don’t have to fill the silence by continuing to talk.

Quick stress relief for effective communication

When a conversation starts to get heated, you need something quick and immediate to bring down the emotional intensity. By learning to quickly reduce stress in the moment, you can safely take stock of any strong emotions you’re experiencing, regulate your feelings, and behave appropriately.

Recognize when you’re becoming stressed. Your body will let you know if you’re stressed as you communicate. Are your muscles or stomach tight? Are your hands clenched? Is your breath shallow? Are you “forgetting” to breathe?

Take a moment to calm down before deciding to continue a conversation or postpone it.

Bring your senses to the rescue. The best way to rapidly and reliably relieve stress is through the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell—or movement. For example, you could pop a peppermint in your mouth, squeeze a stress ball in your pocket, take a few deep breaths, clench and relax your muscles, or simply recall a soothing, sensory-rich image. Each person responds differently to sensory input, so you need to find a coping mechanism that is soothing to you.

[Read: Quick Stress Relief]

Look for humor in the situation. When used appropriately, humor is a great way to relieve stress when communicating . When you or those around you start taking things too seriously, find a way to lighten the mood by sharing a joke or an amusing story.

Be willing to compromise. Sometimes, if you can both bend a little, you’ll be able to find a happy middle ground that reduces the stress levels for everyone concerned. If you realize that the other person cares much more about an issue than you do, compromise may be easier for you and a good investment for the future of the relationship.

Agree to disagree, if necessary, and take time away from the situation so everyone can calm down. Go for a stroll outside if possible, or spend a few minutes meditating. Physical movement or finding a quiet place to regain your balance can quickly reduce stress.

Find your space for healing and growth

Regain is an online couples counseling service. Whether you’re facing problems with communication, intimacy, or trust, Regain’s licensed, accredited therapists can help you improve your relationship.

Direct, assertive expression makes for clear communication and can help boost your self-esteem and decision-making skills. Being assertive means expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an open and honest way, while standing up for yourself and respecting others. It does NOT mean being hostile, aggressive, or demanding. Effective communication is always about understanding the other person, not about winning an argument or forcing your opinions on others.

To improve your assertiveness

Value yourself and your options. They are as important as anyone else’s.

Know your needs and wants. Learn to express them without infringing on the rights of others.

Express negative thoughts in a positive way. It’s  okay to be angry , but you must remain respectful as well.

Receive feedback positively. Accept compliments graciously, learn from your mistakes, ask for help when needed.

Learn to say “no.” Know your limits and don’t let others take advantage of you. Look for alternatives so everyone feels good about the outcome.

Developing assertive communication techniques

Empathetic assertion conveys sensitivity to the other person. First, recognize the other person’s situation or feelings, then state your needs or opinion. “I know you’ve been very busy at work, but I want you to make time for us as well.”

Escalating assertion can be employed when your first attempts are not successful. You become increasingly firm as time progresses, which may include outlining consequences if your needs are not met. For example, “If you don’t abide by the contract, I’ll be forced to pursue legal action.”

Practice assertiveness in lower risk situations to help build up your confidence. Or ask friends or family if you can practice assertiveness techniques on them first.

More Information

• Effective Communication: Improving Your Social Skills - Communicate more effectively, improve your conversation skills, and become more assertive. (AnxietyCanada)
• Core Listening Skills - How to be a better listener. (SucceedSocially.com)
• Effective Communication - How to communicate in groups using nonverbal communication and active listening techniques. (University of Maine)
• Some Common Communication Mistakes - And how to avoid them. (SucceedSocially.com)
• 3aPPa3 – When cognitive demand increases, does the right ear have an advantage? – Danielle Sacchinell | Acoustics.org . (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2022, from Link
• How to Behave More Assertively . (n.d.). 10. Weger, H., Castle Bell, G., Minei, E. M., & Robinson, M. C. (2014). The Relative Effectiveness of Active Listening in Initial Interactions.  International Journal of Listening , 28(1), 13–31. Link

More in Communication

How to read body language to build better relationships at home and work

Boost your EQ to help find happiness and success

Tips for handling conflicts, arguments, and disagreements

How to feel and respond to the emotions of others

Tips and techniques for getting anger under control

Using laughter and play to resolve disagreements

The 5 Love Languages

What they are and how they influence relationships

Turning Off the Gas on Your Gaslighter

5 ways to deal with gaslighting

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7 Administrative Aide Resume Examples for 2024

Writing a good resume for an administrative aide position can help you land a job faster. This article will show proven resume examples suited for this role. You will also get strategic advice on highlighting your skills, using industry-specific terms, and structuring your resume effectively. Follow these tips to improve your chances of securing an administrative aide role.

• 21 Aug 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Education placement on resume', added
• 21 Aug 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Career Transition to Administrative Aide, added
• 19 Aug 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 29 Aug 2024

Here's what we see in the best administrative aide resumes.

Highlight Impact With Numbers : Top resumes show results using numbers. For example, increasing time savings by 20% , reducing costs by $5,000 , responding to 100+ emails daily, improving task completion rate by 30% .

Include Relevant Skills : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are Microsoft Office , data entry , calendar management , CRM software , document preparation . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Focus On Organizational Skills : Employers value strong organizational skills. Phrases like managed schedules , coordinated meetings , and maintained records can make a big difference.

use this maybe to have a resume upload button widget 1: yellow Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

widget 2: red / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

helpful blue / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include.

Administrative Aide Resume Sample

Find out how good your resume is.

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Get feedback on your resume

Want to know how your administrative aide resume stacks up? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of where you stand. It evaluates your resume based on key criteria that hiring managers in office administration look for.

Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll get a score and useful tips to make your resume stronger. This helps you understand what recruiters see when they review your application.

Education placement on resume

When you list your education for a job as an administrative aide, think about where it fits best on your resume. If you recently finished school or a training program, put this information at the top. This shows you are ready for the job with fresh knowledge.

If you have been working for a long time, list your work history first. Your experience is a strong point. But still include your education after your experience. Keep it simple – list your highest degree, the school's name, and your field of study.

For any education linked to administrative tasks, like a degree in business administration, highlight this early on. This confirms your good fit for the role. You do not need to list high school if you have higher education or relevant work experience.

Highlight technical skills

In administrative roles, many tasks involve software tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and scheduling systems. Highlight your skills in these areas to show you are prepared.

Also, mention any experience with office management software or project management tools, as these are often used in administrative positions.

Administrative Specialist Resume Sample

Ideal resume length.

When you apply for an administrative aide role, keep your resume concise. You generally want to aim for one page. This shows you can communicate your most relevant experience and skills without unnecessary details. It's important to include your top administrative tasks and any special projects you managed. If you have less than 10 years of experience, one page will often be enough.

For those with more experience, especially in diverse administrative roles or with significant achievements, two pages can be appropriate. Use the first page to highlight your most recent and relevant experiences. Ensure every word on your resume serves a purpose and is relevant to the administrative work you're applying for. Extra pages are not necessary unless you have a long career with varied leadership roles in administration.

Administrative Aide with Legal Specialization Resume Sample

Show strong communication.

Good communication is key in administrative aide roles. Highlight any past experiences where you managed internal communications or customer interactions.

Mention your ability to draft and send official emails, manage phone calls, or handle in-person inquiries. This shows you can manage relationships well.

Entry-Level Administrative Aide Resume Sample

Career transition to administrative aide resume sample.

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