How to develop effective communication skills

Communication skills play a large part in our daily lives, both in and outside of work. If you feel like your communication skills could be improved, or you're looking for ways to develop these communication skills, this article will provide you with some top tips for improving your communication capabilities.

In this article, we will highlight a few different communication skills, show you how you can develop your communication skills, and teach you how to showcase your communication skills on your CV and cover letter.

Are you looking for a new job? You may find our tips on starting a new job useful to help you get started and settled in quickly.

Why is it important to have effective communication skills?

Communication is a vitally important skill in most industries. Regardless of your job and industry, you will benefit from having excellent communication skills to make your dealings with colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders smooth and effective.

Good communication is all about getting your point across in a manner that is clear and concise. Be direct when you communicate, but also tactful and cognisant of your audience to avoid upsetting anyone.

If you occasionally struggle with your communication, there are some things you can do to strengthen your communications skills, which we have highlighted below.

What are the different types of communication skills?

There are a wide variety of different communication skills that you should familiarise yourself with. This article will focus on the four main communication skills: verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication.

Verbal communication - This refers to communication that takes the form of spoken language. Strong verbal communication uses speech to convey information to others simply while getting your point across effectively. When communicating verbally, confidence is important.

Non-verbal communication - Non-verbal communication refers to how we convey via our body language, facial expressions and gestures- either consciously or subconsciously. Many people are unaware of the impact of poor non-verbal communication and suffer. Working on your body language when you communicate with others is essential for improving your non-verbal communication skills.

Written communication - Written communication refers to the meaning that you convey via the written word. Written language is important, as getting statements ‘in writing’ can be very helpful when creating a record of events for business in a professional setting. Some people struggle with written communication but remember there are some basic things you can do to strengthen your written communication skills.

Visual communication - Finally, visual communication often involves graphs and charts employed to convey ideas to the target audience. Strong visual communication can carry a lot of meaning and is essential to fields like graphic design.

Want to stand out from other applicants when applying for new roles? Visit our handy guide about how to stand out from the crowd in your job search.

How to improve communication skills

If you are wondering how to improve your communication skills, remember there are plenty of ways to develop your communication skills and improve how you deal with colleagues and others at work.

Keep your audience in mind - By keeping the needs of your audience at the forefront of your mind, you can ensure that you are communicating in the best way to maximise the chances of your message being understood and received well. For example, you may find it appropriate to adopt a different communication style when interacting with a child versus with an adult.

Be considerate - It is always wise to be considerate when communicating to avoid unnecessary conflict. This means altering your tone to be as calm as possible when dealing with situations in which confrontation is likely. You should also be mindful of langauge or terms that might be construed as offensive or outdated.

Simplicity is key - When using any style of communication, it is best to keep things as simple as possible to avoid misinterpretation. Avoid using jargon and flowery language wherever possible.

Revisit your work - You may be tempted to hit send as soon as you have finished composing an email but always take the time to check over your work, especially if you are trying to convey large amounts of complex information. Have a short break and read over your work at least once before sending it to a colleague for a final check.

Exude confidence - Even if you are not confident, it makes sense to adopt a strong stance and confident body language when communicating. By avoiding nervous body language, you make it easier for your intended audience to focus on what you have to say.

Now you have perfected your communication skills, it’s time to start the hunt for that perfect role! Visit our guide on how to start looking for jobs.

How to demonstrate communication skills on your CV

If you are looking for ways to highlight your communication skills on your CV, it is important to note that employers will always be drawn to strong examples of your skills rather than vague statements that are not backed up by evidence. Remember that it is best to provide real-life examples of your communication skills in action.

For example:

“Throughout my time in this role, I evidenced strong verbal communication skills, including when addressing difficult situations with unhappy customers.”

Are you looking to improve your communication skills to land a new role? When asked to interview for a new job role, it’s normal to feel excited yet anxious about the interview process. Visit our ultimate guide to preparing for an interview to ensure you have the skills to impress at the interview.

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