Identify the employability skills Part III

 

2. Communication Skills

Written and Interpersonal communication is a key employability skill. Employers now expect candidates to offer more than a good academic record and degree, they also look for work experience and evidence of ''employability skills" such as communication skills, teamwork and planning/organization skills. (The University of Salford, 2014)


The Importance of Good Communication

Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills are vital to success in life. Being able to show that you can write concisely and with clarity is a key skill in the initial stage of applying for graduate positions. Likewise being able to converse in a confident and effective manner with others from a wide range of backgrounds is a key requirement in life as well as work and is vital in the initial application process.

Being able to demonstrate to employers good written and interpersonal skills at the initial stage of recruitment would demonstrate convincingly to an employer that you have an essential basic life-skill in which to succeed in a graduate position. (The University of Salford, 2014).

Communication in the Work Place

‘As communication is so central to the world of work, it follows that where communication is poor or inadequate, the quality of that work – be it a product or service – will suffer as a result.
Ensuring ‘good’ and ‘effective’ communication is a fundamental component of providing high quality products and services. Good, effective communication at work therefore is not a luxury or an optional extra but essential for success.’ (The University of Salford, 2014).

What is Communication

Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is a complex mix of both verbal and non-verbal communication. It requires you to talk to and deal with people in an efficient and appropriate manner: For example: Verbal skills include: listening, explaining, understanding, negotiating, persuading. Non-verbal can include body language, facial expression, reactions. (The University of Salford, 2014).

Written Communication
Written communication is a record of ideas and facts and can take various forms from creative, formal to factual for example writing letters, reports presentations, essays, poems, books, novels. Things to be aware of are the audience you are aiming for, language used, clarity, presentation/layout and overall construction. Remember that any written communication provides a permanent record of your skill and ability to communicate effectively, for example covering letters, CVs, application forms which are sent to potential employers. (The University of Salford, 2014).

Where to Start

Building up evidence of skills
If you are struggling to think of examples that illustrate your communication skills, think about your time spent at university.

Course work
Building up examples of your written and interpersonal skills based on your course work is a useful starting point. For example,

• Essays
• Reports
• Written preparation for presentations
• Taking an active part in tutorials or seminars
• Delivering presentations

Think about how your written work has developed whilst at university and the different styles you might use in course work. If you are struggling in this area visit the Academic Learning Skills web page where you will find help through workshops, online materials or through one to one support. (The University of Salford, 2014).

 Referencing

The University of Salford, 2014. Key employability skills: Written/Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved from http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/page/communication