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PA Enterprise

Communication skills

for workplace success

The ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff
is essential, no matter what industry you work in. Workers in the digital age

must know how to effectively convey and receive messages in person as well
as via phone, email, and social media.

These communication skills will help you 2. Nonverbal Communication
get hired, land promotions, and be a success Your body language, eye contact, hand gestures,
throughout your career.
and tone of voice all color the message you are
Top 10 Communication Skills trying to convey.
Want to stand out from the competition? These A relaxed, open stance (arms open, legs relaxed),
are some of the top communication skills and a friendly tone will make you appear
that recruiters and hiring managers want to approachable and will encourage others to speak
see in your resume and cover letter. Highlight openly with you.
these skills and demonstrate them during Eye contact is also important; you want to look
job interviews, and you’ll make a solid first the person in the eye to demonstrate that you are
impression. Continue to develop these skills focused on them and the conversation. (However,
once you’re hired, and you’ll impress your boss, be sure not to stare at the person, which can
teammates, and clients. make him or her uncomfortable.)
1. Listening Also, pay attention to other people’s nonverbal
signals while you are talking. Often, nonverbal
Being a good listener is one of the best ways
to be a good communicator. No one likes cues convey how a person is really feeling. For
communicating with someone who cares only example, if the person is not looking you in the
about putting in her two cents and does not eye, he or she might be uncomfortable or hiding
take the time to listen to the other person. If the truth.
you’re not a good listener, it’s going to be hard to 3. Clarity and Concision
comprehend what you’re being asked to do. Good verbal communication means saying
Take the time to practice active listening. Active just enough—don’t talk too much or too little.
listening involves paying close attention to what Try to convey your message in as few words as
the other person is saying, asking clarifying possible. Say what you want clearly and directly,
questions, and rephrasing what the person says whether you’re speaking to someone in person,
to ensure understanding (“So, what you’re saying on the phone, or via email. If you ramble on, your
is…”). Through active listening, you can better listener will either tune you out or will be unsure
understand what the other person is trying to of exactly what you want.
say, and can respond appropriately. Think about what you want to say before you say

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