Communication Skills: Definitions and

Examples
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 What are communication skills?

 Communication skills examples
 How to improve your communication skills
 Communicating effectively in the workplace
 How to highlight communication skills

Communication skills allow you to understand and be understood by others.

These can include but are not limited to effectively communicating ideas to
others, actively listening in conversations, giving and receiving critical
feedback and public speaking.

What are communication skills?

Communication skills are abilities you use when giving and receiving different
kinds of information. Some examples include communicating ideas, feelings
or what’s happening around you. Communication skills involve listening,
speaking, observing and empathizing. It is also helpful to understand the
differences in how to communicate through face-to-face interactions, phone
conversations and digital communications, like email and social media.

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Communication skills examples

There are different types of communication skills you can learn and practice to
help you become an effective communicator. Many of these skills work
together, making it important to practice communication skills in different
contexts whenever possible.
Active listening

Active listening means paying close attention to the person who is speaking to
you. People who are active listeners are well-regarded by their coworkers
because of the attention and respect they offer others. While it seems simple,
this is a skill that can be hard to develop and improve. You can be an active
listener by focusing on the speaker, avoiding distractions like cell phones,
laptops or other projects, and by preparing questions, comments or ideas to
thoughtfully respond.

Adapting your communication style to your audience

Different styles of communication are appropriate in different situations. To

make the best use of your communication skills, it’s important to consider your
audience and the most effective format to communicate with them in.

For example, if you are communicating with a potential employer, it’s better to
send a formal email or call them on the phone. Depending on the situation,
you may even need to send a formal, typed letter over other forms of
communication. In the workplace, you may find it’s easier to communicate
complex information in person or via a video conference than in a long, dense
email.

Friendliness

In friendships, characteristics such as honesty and kindness often foster trust

and understanding. The same characteristics are important in workplace
relationships. When you’re working with others, approach your interactions
with a positive attitude, keep an open mind and ask questions to help you
understand where they’re coming from. Small gestures such as asking
someone how they’re doing, smiling as they speak or offering praise for work
well done can help you foster productive relationships with both colleagues
and managers.

Confidence

In the workplace, people are more likely to respond to ideas that are
presented with confidence. There are many ways to appear confident,
including by making eye contact when you’re addressing someone, sitting up
straight with your shoulders open and preparing ahead of time so your
thoughts are polished. You’ll find confident communication comes in handy
not just on the job but during the job interview process as well.

Giving and receiving feedback

Strong communicators are able to accept critical feedback and provide

constructive input to others. Feedback should answer questions, provide
solutions or help strengthen the project or topic at hand.

Volume and clarity

When you’re speaking, it’s important to be clear and audible. Adjusting your
speaking voice so you can be heard in a variety of settings is a skill, and it’s
critical to communicating effectively. Speaking too loudly may by disrespectful
or awkward in certain settings. If you’re unsure, read the room to see how
others are communicating.

Related: Soft Skills: Definition and Examples

Empathy

Having empathy means that you can understand and share the emotions of
others. This communication skill is important in both team and one-on-one
settings. In both cases, you will need to understand other people’s emotions
and select an appropriate response. For example, if someone is expressing
anger or frustration, empathy can help you acknowledge and diffuse their
emotion. At the same time, being able to understand when someone is feeling
positive and enthusiastic can help you get support for your ideas and projects.

Respect

A key aspect of respect is knowing when to initiate communication and

respond. In a team or group setting, allowing others to speak without
interruption is seen as a necessary communication skill tied to respectfulness.
Respectfully communicating also means using your time with someone else
wisely — staying on topic, asking clear questions and responding fully to any
questions you’ve been asked.

Understanding nonverbal cues

A great deal of communication happens through nonverbal cues such as body

language, facial expressions and eye contact. When you’re listening to
someone, you should be paying attention to what they’re saying as well as
their nonverbal language. By the same measure, you should be conscious of
your own body language when you’re communicating to ensure you’re
sending appropriate cues to others.

Responsiveness

Whether you’re returning a phone call or sending a reply to an email, fast

communicators are viewed as more effective than those who are slow to
respond. One method is to consider how long your response will take: is this a
request or question you can answer in the next five minutes? If so, it may be a
good idea to address it as soon as you see it. If it’s a more complex request or
question, you can still acknowledge that you’ve received the message and let
the other person know you will respond in full later.

How to improve your communication

skills
With experience and practice, you can learn and improve on communication
skills. Start by identifying your strengths and then practice and develop those
areas.

 Ask a close friend or colleague for constructive criticism. It can be

hard to know how you are perceived as a communicator. To get an
objective opinion, ask a trusted friend for their honest feedback.
Understanding your areas of improvement for communication can help
you identify what to focus on.
 Practice improving communication habits. Many communication
skills are habits you have developed over time. You can improve those
skills by practicing new habits that make you a better communicator.
That might include being more responsive to communications when
 they are sent, reminding yourself to give eye contact, practicing giving
positive feedback and asking questions in conversations.
 Attend communication skills workshops or classes. There are
several online and offline seminars, workshops and classes that can
help you be a better communicator. These classes may include
instruction, roleplay, written assignments and open discussions.
 Seek opportunities to communicate. Seek out opportunities both on
and off the job that require you to use communication skills. This will
help you keep good skills fresh while also allowing you the opportunity
to practice new skills.

Communicating effectively in the

workplace
While there are several communication skills you will use in different
scenarios, there are a few ways you can be an effective communicator at
work:

 Be clear and concise. Making your message as easy to consume as

possible reduces the chance of misunderstandings, speeds up projects
and helps others quickly understand your goals. Instead of speaking in
long, detailed sentences, practice reducing your message down to its
core meaning. While providing context is helpful, it is best to give the
most necessary information when trying to communicate your idea,
instruction or message.
 Practice empathy. Understanding your colleague’s feelings, ideas and
goals can help you when communicating with them. For example, you
might need help from other departments to get a project started. If they
are not willing to help or have concerns, practicing empathy can help
you position your message in a way that addresses their apprehension.
 Assert yourself. At times, it is necessary to be assertive to reach your
goals whether you are asking for a raise, seeking project opportunities
or resisting an idea you don’t think will be beneficial. While presenting
with confidence is an important part of the workplace, you should
always be respectful in conversation. Keeping an even tone and
providing sound reasons for your assertions will help others be
receptive to your thoughts.
  Be calm and consistent. When there is a disagreement or conflict, it
can be easy to bring emotion into your communications. It is important
to remain calm when communicating with others in the workplace. Be
aware of your body language by not crossing your arms or rolling your
eyes. Maintaining consistent body language and keeping an even tone
of voice can help you reach a conclusion peacefully and productively.
 Use and read body language. Body language is a key part of
communications in the workplace. Pay close attention to the messages
people are sending with their facial expressions and movements. You
should also pay close attention the way you might be communicating
(intentionally or not) with your own body language.

How to highlight communication skills

You will use your communication skills in every step of the job search and on
the job. Everything from your resume to the job interview and beyond will
require different types of communication skills. Here are a few ways you can
highlight those skills at each step.

Communication skills for resume

A well-written resume is itself a demonstration of strong communication skills.

Ensure that your resume is structured appropriately and free of spelling and
grammar errors. Additionally, you may also want to include some positive
communication skills in your resume skills section, especially if the jobs post
calls for specific communication skills in the job description. You can add skills
to your Indeed Resume for employers searching for candidates with your
skillset.

Update Your Resume

Communication skills for cover letter

Your cover letter is a great opportunity to elaborate on your communication

skills. While you can talk more directly about how effectively you communicate
here, at a high level, your cover letter is one of the employer’s first
impressions of your skills. You will want to make your cover letter brief, well
written, free from typos and spelling errors and tailored to the position you’re
applying for.

Related: 7 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter

Communication skills for the job interview

The first, most important way you can communicate in your interview is
through how you present yourself. Show up for the interview 10–15 minutes
early and dressed appropriately for the job you’re applying for. Pay attention
to the nonverbal cues you’re displaying through body language.

Avoid actions such as slouching or looking at your phone during the interview.
Looking your interviewer in the eye, employing active listening skills and
displaying confidence are all positive ways to communicate in your interview.

Almost everything you do, both on the job and in life, can be seen as a form of
communication. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses and regularly
practicing good habits, you can improve the way you connect and
communicate with others.

Keep learning:

 How to Write a Resume Employers Will Notice

 Leadership Skills: Definitions and Examples
 How to List Education on a Resume