Enhancing your communication skills: Effective strategies for resume writing

Being a strong communicator is essential in the current job landscape. This includes communication skills like verbal and non-verbal exchanges, active listening, and writing.  

Knowing how to show these skills in a resume can boost your chances. In this article, we define communication skills. We then explain how to add them to your resume and list some examples and FAQs.  

Here's what we'll cover: 

• What are communication skills? 
• Why should you include communication skills in your resume? 
• How to show communication skills in a resume? 
• Communication skills to include in your resume? 
• Communication skills resume phrases 
• Communication skills in a resume example 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

What are communication skills? 

Communication skills are the ability to convey and receive information. They are also the ability to share ideas with others. Some communication skills include: 

• verbal communication 
• non-verbal communication, like body language and gestures 
• active listening 
• presentation 
• strong language proficiency and command 
• feedback 

This is vital at work. It helps you work better with your colleagues, bosses, and clients. Good interpersonal communication skills let you collaborate better, cooperate, and resolve problems. 

Why should you include communication skills in your resume? 

Adding communication skills to your resume can help potential employers understand your strengths. Good communication lets you work with diverse cultures. Singapore is multicultural.  

Most workplaces focus on consensus-building, collaboration, and teamwork and follow a top-down hierarchy. Knowing how to add communication skills can set you apart from other job seekers.  

Employers like to hire people who can work well with others. They must also convey complex ideas, solve conflicts, and talk to customers. A good communicator can show they can work as part of a team and collaborate. 

Your communication skills can show your emotional intelligence in your resume. They can also show your ability to solve problems and give confident presentations.  

A communication skills list can help employers understand your personality better. It also lets them know whether you're an excellent fit for their team. 

How to show communication skills in a resume? 

It's crucial to highlight verbal and nonverbal abilities in your resume. The same goes for the capacity to engage in effective written communication. For example, you could mention when you had a successful presentation or worked in a team to land a client.  

Here are some tips: 

Evaluate relevant achievements 

Mention your achievements by reflecting on your past roles. This could include conflict resolution, successful presentations, and negotiation outcomes. For instance, you can mention team leadership. You can also mention active listening skills. This is for a leadership position.  

Choose various communication skills 

Pick three to five communication skills. They show that you're good at speaking, presenting, and writing. Look at the job posting to see what the requirements are. You can mention soft skills in your resume for a content writer role. These include listening, collaboration, and teamwork.  

In Singapore, the common languages used are English, Tamil, Malay, and Mandarin Chinese. Your fluency decides this. You can mention these languages in your resume's "Language Proficiency" section. This is important for roles that are customer-facing.  

Use quantifiable examples 

Consider mentioning measurable outcomes from past achievements. This helps quantify the impact of your communication skills. For instance, you can say, "Improved team productivity by 30%. Did it through better internal communication." 

Communication skills to include in your resume 

Include your most relevant communication skills in your resume. Remember to use examples that demonstrate communication skills. Change your skills section to match the job you want. Here are some essential communication skills: 

• Writing: In many Singaporean companies, clear and persuasive email communication is essential. Highlight your ability to write clear reports. They should be brief and should show shared goals. 
• Speaking: Show your ability to speak with confidence across various settings. You could share instances. It helped with collaboration, presentations, and talking to people.  
• People skills: People skills are the ability to build good relationships. You must do this with both your team members and your superiors. This is important. It builds respect for authority and fosters cooperation.  
• Empathy: Emphasise your ability to empathise with others. This is important for understanding your co-workers, resolving conflicts, and establishing harmony.  
• Presentations: Highlight your presentation skills that show how you organise and convey information. You could share instances where your presentations led to successful outcomes.  
• Persuasion: Highlight your persuasive skills in the business environment. This is important for jobs in sales that use negotiations or speeches. 

Communication skills resume phrases 

Explain how your practical communication skills helped achieve specific goals or outcomes. Mention relevant achievements, feedback, or results.  

This shows how you applied your professional communication skills. Add phrases when writing your resume to highlight your communication skills: 

Sharing information and ideas through speaking or writing 

• “Used effective writing skills in creating short reports and emails.” 
•  “Used strong speaking skills to present ideas and suggestions in team meetings.” 

Negotiating or discussing business to communicate effectively in a professional environment 

• “Discussed and agreed on contracts with clients, demonstrating strong communication and persuasive skills.” 
• “Led business discussions, communicated goals, and found solutions that worked for everyone.” 

Explaining how you work with others, motivate them, and finish projects  

• I worked with a team of people with different skills. I communicated project goals and ensured everyone did their part on time.” 
• I encouraged team members. I created a positive work environment to reach project goals.” 

Communication skills in a resume example 

Here's an example resume that showcases communication skills: 

Tan Wei Ming 
The Rivervale, 789 Bukit Timah Road | Singapore 987654 | 8123-4567 | [email protected] 

Objective: 

Results-driven marketing professional with strong communication skills seeking a challenging role in digital marketing. 

Education: 
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing 
National University of Singapore 

Experience: 
Digital Marketing Specialist | XT Agency| Queenstown, Singapore | 2018–Present 

• Developed and executed digital marketing campaigns, communicated brand messaging, and generated leads. 
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent verbal communication across various channels, resulting in a 20% increase in website traffic. 

Marketing Intern | Adverts Agency | Punggol, Singapore | 2017–2018 

• Assisted in creating social media content and communicated brand identity, increasing follower engagement by 25%. 
• Conducted market research by collecting and analysing customer feedback to inform targeted marketing strategies. 

Skills: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills shown through crafting compelling marketing copy and delivering impactful presentations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. 
• Digital communication skills, including tools and platforms, social media management, and email marketing software. 

Achievements: 

• Awarded “Outstanding Team Player” for communicating project objectives, coordinating team efforts, and achieving successful campaign results. 
• Presented at industry conferences on innovative digital marketing strategies, showcasing informative and persuasive speaking abilities. 

Languages: 
Fluent in English and Malay 

Professional Memberships: 

• Member, Data-Driven Marketing Association of Singapore  

Conclusion 

Good communication skills help promote trust at work and enhance teamwork. They help achieve business success. This is done through writing, presenting, and speaking well to people. 

Communication skills include verbal and nonverbal communication, like writing, active listening, and presentation. When applying for a job, add these skills to your resume to increase your chances of getting hired. 

When you write your resume, include your best communication skills. Give examples to highlight them. This would help you land the job. Employers want people who can communicate well at work. 

FAQs 

Here are FAQs related to adding communication skills to your resume: 

1. How do you add good communication skills to a resume? 
   ⁠Add your oral and written communication skills to the skill sections of your resume. You could also mention them in your work experience descriptions. It's best to give specific examples. These are examples of using body language, speaking, and writing. They are also of getting along with others. Make sure this is relevant to Singaporean culture.  
   ⁠
2. Are communication skills more important than technical skills in my resume? 
   ⁠Both technical skills and communication skills are essential in a resume. Technical skills show that you're knowledgeable in specific areas. Interpersonal skills show that you can communicate effectively and work well with others. A balance of both on your resume is ideal. 
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3. Should I include communication skills in a cover letter as well? 
   ⁠Yes, mentioning your communication skills in your cover letter is a good idea. You could discuss your relevant skills and explain how you've used them. 
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4. Can I include digital communication skills? 
   ⁠Yes, you can add digital communication skills. They're essential because of the digital-first approach prevalent in most Singapore workplaces. For instance, you can mention effective email communication in your resume. This shows you can streamline workflows by keeping all stakeholders informed. It also prevents miscommunication. 
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5. How can I improve my communication skills for my resume? 
   ⁠Your skills include effective verbal communication and nonverbal communication skills. Try practising your active listening skills and working on your writing. You can also get constructive feedback on how you communicate.  
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   ⁠Take part in public speaking or presentation workshops. Work on projects with others and take part in discussions. You could also read books or take communication courses to help you improve.