In a previous blog post, we discussed the differences between hard and soft skills. While hard skills have to do with previous training and expertise, soft skills show who you are as a person and how you relate to others. One soft skill we mentioned was “communication.” You’ve probably seen that many of our job descriptions contain the words “Strong written and verbal communication skills.” Let’s dig into what those skills mean, how you can improve them, and how to demonstrate them in an interview or on a resume.

Written Communication

You may not be writing blog posts or social media captions for your job, but good writing is still essential for any career. Most positions require you to communicate through email, take notes, document procedures, write reports, or even create presentations. Employers expect your writing to be clear, with minimal errors. You’ll also need to understand the context of what you’re writing — whether the piece is more formal or casual — which determines the best method of communication (email, text, or phone call.)

One of the best ways to improve your writing is simply to read — books, magazines, or articles. Then practice some writing yourself by journaling, using online prompts, or taking writing courses. Ask others to edit and give feedback on your work. Review grammar basics from books or sites like Grammarly.

One of the best ways to demonstrate your written communication skills to an employer is through a clearly-written resume. You can learn more about effective resume writing in this blog post. Another way to demonstrate your writing skills is in your resume’s experience section. Include any writing experience you’ve picked up from prior internships or jobs, such as corporate emails or reports.

Verbal Communication

Verbal or oral communication is another necessary skill for any job. You might think of it as “public speaking,” which is one form of verbal communication, but there are others that go beyond giving a speech. Verbal communication involves any words you say — from meetings to sales pitches to simply communicating project directions to a coworker. It also goes two ways — being a good listener counts just as much as being a good speaker.

To improve your verbal communication skills, ask for constructive feedback after giving a speech or presentation. When speaking with others, be mindful of the words you say, how you listen, and your body language. Practice giving your elevator pitch to a trusted mentor or career coach and ask them for feedback. In addition, attending a career fair or networking event is a great way to practice your verbal communication skills.

Demonstrate your verbal communication through your interview. Practice what you’re going to say ahead of time with a friend, career coach, or mentor. Ask good questions in the interview, and listen carefully when the recruiter gives answers. If you have any experience with big presentations, sales pitches, or public speaking, be sure to include those on your resume.

Whether you’re applying for a position specializing in writing, the job description will probably mention written and verbal communication skills. Knowing what those skills are and how to demonstrate them will help your resume and interview go a long way.

Interested in putting your communication skills to work at Reynolds? Browse our open positions here.