Communication Skills – the key turn on for employers

A consistent message from employers of graduates still remains: a degree is not enough. Employers are looking for graduates with both academic capability and a specific set ofskills that match the skills necessary to perform a particular job role. But beyond these job-specific skills, certain key skills are sought by most employers regardless of the sector or job role.

If you think that all graduates have good communication skills, think again. You need to be able to express yourself concisely, but you also need to be a good listener and good at asking questions.

Communication skills covers verbal and written communication, and listening. It’s about being clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others.

The effective exchange of information is essential for a well-run business. Communication is more than what you say. For a graduate it’s about learning to listen, understand and deliver words and information that keep things moving.

Professionally, if you are applying for jobs or looking for a promotion with your current employer, you will almost surely need to demonstrate good communication skills. You should be able to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact, demonstrate a varied language and tailor your language to your audience, listen effectively, present ideas properly, write clearly and curtly and be able to work well in a group.

There are understated clues involved in effectively communicating.  These clues usuallyrequire making a connection, developing trust and conveying value. It is one thing to push your communication out there, it is another thing to get people to listen and it takes even greater efforts to get them to respond.

Think about this in terms of your resume, cover letter, networking meetings and even your performance on the job. You need good Communications Skills to achieve all of these.

Developing advanced communication skills begins with simple interactions. Communication skills can be practiced every day in settings that range from the social to the professional. It’s never too late to work on your communication skills and by doing so improve your quality of life. New skills take time to refine, but each time you use your communication skills, you open yourself to opportunities and future partnerships.

Source: ameyawdebrah.com