45+ Best Communication Skills for Your Resume (Examples)

When adding communication skills to your resume, focus on tailoring them to the job ad and using specific terms from the job description. Highlight achievements showcasing your communication strengths, whether it's leading a project, resolving conflicts, or using digital tools like Slack and Zoom. This not only aligns you with what employers are seeking but also boosts your chances with applicant tracking systems. Always back up your skills with examples to show you can deliver results and work well with others.

We often underestimate the power of communication skills. It’s easy to say, “I can communicate,” but that could mean anything from updating the office on the latest Love Island gossip to achieving a deal-closing negotiation. And that’s exactly why simply listing “communication skills” on a resume doesn’t tell the whole story.

But this soft skill holds real value for employers because it’s innate and not always teachable. 

Communication is about building trust, making sure ideas are clear, and helping teams align. It’s how we build relationships, advocate for what’s needed, and make sure information is shared in a way that actually drives action. And it matters in almost every job.

Let’s find out how to convey this in your resume. This guide will tell you: 

• All the top communication skills to include. 
• How to list your communication skills on a resume.
• The best ways to improve your abilities for future job opportunities. 

Need help highlighting your communication skills? Check out our free AI Resume Builder. Our technology can generate ATS-friendly bullet points in seconds to match your skills and industry. 

What Are Communication Skills and Why They Matter on a Resume

Communication skills are how you share ideas, listen, and respond to others, whether verbally, non-verbally, visually, or in writing. We use these skills every day, so I’ll spare you the full textbook definition — it’s basically how you get your point across and understand others. 

Here’s how the main types of communication can translate into a resume: 

• Verbal communication. We all learn to talk early on, but clear and confident communication is a skill that takes practice. On your resume, you can highlight cases where you led a meeting, conducted a presentation, or explained complex ideas to a colleague.
• Non-verbal communication. This includes body language, eye contact, and facial expressions. Ever noticed how a smile can make someone more approachable? That’s non-verbal communication in action. Demonstrate this on your resume by mentioning roles where you met with clients face-to-face, showing approachability and confidence.
• Written communication. Writing emails, reports, or even messages in a chat all fall under written communication. If you’ve ever written a LinkedIn post, a persuasive email, or a detailed report, highlight these experiences on your resume. Show your impact with examples of increased engagement or positive feedback. 
• Visual communication. Using visuals like graphs, charts, or slides to communicate is a great way to get your message across. On your resume, you can mention creating PowerPoint presentations or designing infographics to convey complex ideas or data. 

Most communication skills are considered soft skills because they’re personal traits that largely come from everyday experience. But some are seen as hard skills because they require specific knowledge and on-the-job training, such as negotiation techniques or presentation skills.

Check out more resume skills and examples:

• Computer Skills for a Resume
• Interpersonal Skills for Your Resume
• How to Write Teamwork Skills on a Resume
• Top Customer Service Skills to Put on a Resume

Why do communication skills matter to employers?

Employers want candidates who can clearly express themselves and work well with others (nobody really wants a Dwight in their office). Good communication can prevent misunderstandings and frustration, making the workplace more productive. 

You can apply strong communication skills in business meetings, team projects, customer interactions, or those “networking” sessions in the office kitchen. Showing recruiters you’ve mastered the art of communication is showing them your versatility. 

And the importance of this skill isn’t lost on our Rezi users either, with communication being the third most popular ability listed on their resumes. 

Here’s a round-up of the top communication skills to include on your resume: 

Top Communication Skills Examples 

Here’s a breakdown of the best communication skills for your resume: 

• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Giving and accepting feedback
• Team-building and collaboration
• Leadership skills
• Digital communication
• Conflict resolution
• Negotiating skills

Once your resume gets the recruiter’s attention, be prepared to show off all those skills during the interview. Make sure you genuinely understand each skill you’ve listed and how it relates to your experience.

Let’s take a closer look at the top communication skills and how they play out in the workplace:

Verbal communication

Verbal communication skills are about how well you express your thoughts and understand what others say. These skills include expressing your ideas, dealing with customers, or persuading your boss to upgrade the office coffee machine. 

Having strong verbal communication tells employers you can articulate information, suggestions, and feedback. For roles involving customer interactions or leadership, these skills show you can convey messages clearly and lead with confidence. But remember, verbal communication is a two-way street. Active listening is just as important as speaking clearly.

Here are some examples of how to list verbal communication on a resume: 

• Interpersonal communication
• Listening skills 
• Outbound calling 
• Body language
• Foreign languages
• Presenting skills 

Written communication

Written communication skills involve conveying information through messages, emails, reports, and notes. And no, you don’t need to be a literary genius, but you should be clear and concise to avoid misunderstandings. 

Remember: even if your job title doesn’t immediately bring “writing” to mind, strong writing skills can still be an asset on your resume.

When you write well, you can inform and persuade through your words, whether drafting reports, creating social media posts, or sending emails. And with so many of us now working remotely, knowing how to communicate professionally (without overusing emojis or exclamation marks) is always a plus.

Check out these valuable writing skills for your resume: 

• Sending emails 
• Proposal and report writing 
• Spelling and grammar
• Editing skills
• Paraphrasing 
• Translation 

Giving and accepting feedback 

Giving and accepting feedback helps improve performance and productivity by showing employees and managers what’s working and what needs to change. 

Employers want to know you can handle constructive criticism without feeling like you’re under attack. Including this skill on your resume highlights that you’re committed to growth and can push others to do the same, making you a strong collaborator and proactive learner. 

Here’s how to frame those skills to show you’re dedicated to your development: 

• Constructive feedback
• Active listening
• Accountability
• Empathy 
• Willingness to learn 
• Open-mindedness 

Team-building and collaboration

Team-building and collaboration involve working well with others to solve problems and achieve common goals. Effective team builders can delegate tasks, communicate clearly, and help team members grow. 

Teamwork makes the dream work, so being able to share ideas and listen to others tells employers you can work harmoniously in a group. Highlighting team-building and collaboration on your resume also shows you can motivate and support your team toward success. 

Here are some more skills to show you work well in a team: 

• Team communication
• Delegation 
• Goal setting 
• Adaptability
• Taking ownership 
• Inclusivity 

Leadership skills 

Leadership skills involve firing up your team, setting goals, training employees, and running operations. A successful leader can push their team to their full potential while making them feel valued and appreciated. 

Trust is key, and people work better for managers they believe in. Your ability to build rapport and guide teams in a positive working environment is a must. Nobody feels inspired by a micromanaging boss breathing down their neck, right?

Here are some phrases that will make your leadership abilities shine on a resume: 

• Management abilities 
• Employee training 
• Motivational feedback
• Planning and organization 
• Interviewing skills 
• Customer relationship management

Digital communication

Digital communication skills are essential in today’s remote and hybrid work environments. Knowing your way around Zoom, Slack, Asana, and Microsoft Teams ensures easy collaboration and interaction.

Nobody wants to be the person who accidentally sends a private message to the entire team. Including this skill on your resume shows your ability to keep up with the times, especially handy for remote workers, or in customer support or social media. 

List these skills on your resume to show your technical communication prowess: 

• Online meeting etiquette
• Remote collaboration
• Professional branding 
• Customer support 
• Digital messaging 
• Social media networking 

Conflict resolution 

Conflict resolution skills help navigate and settle any disputes to maintain a positive workplace. Whether you’re negotiating tough deals, dealing with customer complaints, or deciding on the office AC temperature, you can apply these skills to a range of situations. 

But it’s not just about settling disputes. Adding conflict resolution to your resume tells employers you value workplace harmony, which can boost productivity. It shows you have solid listening skills and that you consider others’ perspectives and respond thoughtfully. 

Check out these examples of how to frame conflict resolution on a resume: 

• Mediation skills 
• Trust building 
• Employee relations 
• Problem-solving 
• Emotional intelligence 
• Impartiality

Negotiating skills 

Negotiating skills are about reaching mutually beneficial agreements through formal contracts or verbal agreements. Skilled negotiators adapt their communication styles to fit the listener’s requests and avoid misunderstandings.

Pulling off a successful negotiation requires problem-solving, persuasive communication, and reading the room — all abilities that will make you an impressive candidate for future employers. 

Negotiation skills aren’t limited to the bargaining table, though. 

Take a look at some more specific ways to describe them on a resume: 

• Strategic thinking 
• Persuasive speaking 
• Assertive attitude
• Rapport-building 
• Contract negotiation 
• Business negotiation

How to Find the Best Communication Skills to Put on a Resume?

Here’s an overview of how to find the best communication for your resume: 

• Check the job description: Tailor your resume using keywords and skills from the job ad to show you’re the right fit and to improve your chances with ATS. 
• Research industry-relevant skills: Show proficiency in specific skills to demonstrate how you can handle the unique needs and challenges of your field.
• Consider your achievements: Highlight real-world scenarios where you applied your communication skills. 

Googling “types of communication skills” and copying the first result won’t cut it. Recruiters have seen “good listener” way too many times. To make an impression, you need to be smart with your word choice, understand what the employer is looking for, and show how your skills will make a difference. Here’s how to do it: 

Check the job description

Tweaking your resume to match the job description is extra effort — but why guess what the company is looking for when it’s all laid out for you? Checking the job ad is an easy way to get inspiration on what skills and experience the employer wants from you. 

Will you be working with a global team? Mention how your remote collaboration skills have helped you build connections. Are they looking for someone with growth potential? Outline your experience in accepting and acting on feedback.

Using similar terms from the job ad shows recruiters you’re the right fit for the role and boosts your chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) when scanning resumes for keywords. 

Check out this job ad for a product manager position: 

This company wants someone who can communicate in group discussions, so mention times you led projects or regularly contributed to meetings. They also emphasize data visualization, so include your knack for explaining complex ideas to non-technical clients. 

Don’t quote the job ad word for word — just outline your relevant experiences, and your skills will speak for themselves.

Research skills relevant to your industry

I once came across a resume where someone listed their ESL teaching skills while applying for a digital artwork role. It might work as a “fun fact” on those awkward first-day introductions, but it doesn’t add any real value to your application. 

Every industry has its own communication style. Here are some examples: 

• Interviewing in recruitment 
• Content creation in marketing 
• Interacting with customers in sales 
• Online collaboration for remote working 
• Translating complex topics for technical writing

Recruiters look for candidates who understand the core skills of your chosen industry and can show proficiency in those areas. Doing your homework on industry-specific communication tells employers you have the skills to address the unique challenges and needs of that field. 

Consider your achievements

Your skills mean nothing if they don’t have the potential to solve business problems and drive success. If your skills list is still looking pretty thin, think about your accomplishments and how you’ve applied your abilities in real-world scenarios. 

Look at your past achievements and identify the communication skills that played a key role. Have you successfully led a team project? Emphasize your abilities in team communication, delegation, and even conflict resolution. 

Short on work experience? Think about your days in education. Did you lead a group project with different schedules and lots of opinions? Kudos. You can highlight skills like team communication, conflict resolution, and managing deadlines on your resume.

Still stuck on inspiration? Check out our AI Skill Explorer to dig deeper into any key skills you may have missed.

How to Put Communication Skills on a Resume?

Here’s a rundown of how to put communication skills on your resume: 

• Check the job ad to guide which communication skills to highlight, focusing on real wins. 
• Use your summary to highlight relevant communication skills tied to your achievements.
• Outline how you used your skills with specific examples and measurable outcomes. 
• Include a bulleted list in your skills section, using keywords from the job ad. 
• Stick to a reverse-chronological order to show your career progression while remaining ATS-friendly.
• Tie your communication skills to tangible, positive results using metrics and examples.
• Keep your resume scannable, using clear language, bullet points, and a concise structure. 

Let’s explore further where you should include your skills and how to use them to highlight your accomplishments. 

1. Tailor to the job listing

Job postings spell out exactly what they want — so use them to your advantage. 

Dig into the job ad and highlight any specific communication skills listed as requirements. But don’t just copy and paste generic terms like “client support.” These phrases are bland and don’t tell the recruiter what you bring to the table. 

Focus on real wins. If they need someone to handle customers, highlight your achievements in customer service. You can also use action verbs, such as “presented” and “collaborated” to make your resume more dynamic and easier to scan by ATS systems.

You don’t need to overhaul your resume completely for each application. Just tweak your word choice and skill selection to match what each employer is looking for, and show how your skills translate into success.

2. Mention top skills in the resume summary

Your resume summary is that first impression to grab a recruiter’s attention. Make it concise, relevant, and interesting by focusing on the skills that make you a memorable candidate. 

Include the communication skills that are most relevant to the position. If the job requires strong verbal skills, emphasize your expertise in delivering presentations or negotiating with clients. Aim to link these communication skills to your achievements to show the impact of your abilities. 

Here’s an example of an eye-catching summary with a focus on communication skills: 

Customer service specialist with expertise in effective verbal communication and problem-solving. Skilled in handling customer inquiries, resolving complaints, and presenting product features. Recognized for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and positive client relationships.

3. Showcase skills via your work experience

Listing skills in bullet points works for summarizing, but it’s just that — a summary. Recruiters need to see how you put those skills into action. Saying you’re a great remote communicator doesn’t mean much if that’s limited to long, rambling voice notes (guilty as charged).

When describing your work experience, pick specific examples that show how you’ve used your communication skills. Think about times when your communication skills delivered real results and benefited the company.

Did you lead a successful project meeting? Or negotiate a deal that brought in significant revenue? These are gold for proving your abilities. And you can add more weight to your accomplishments by using real numbers to back up your claims. 

Here’s how to show your skills in your work experience section with measurable outcomes:

Administrative Assistant | ABC Company
March 2019 — Present

• Managed office communications, including emails, phone calls, and scheduling meetings, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
• Coordinated travel arrangements and itineraries for executives, managing detailed records and expense reports.
• Developed and maintained filing systems, boosting data retrieval efficiency by 30%.
• Assisted in preparing presentations and translating complex data into clear, concise information for team meetings.
• Acted as a liaison between departments, encouraging effective communication and collaboration across the organization.
• Organized company events and meetings, ensuring all logistics were handled seamlessly and attendees were well-informed.

The job seeker is showing key skills, like conveying complex information, teamwork, and leadership abilities. It's not about cramming “communication” into every sentence, but strategically emphasizing how strong communication skills helped you deliver results. 

4. Summarize with a list of skills

Once you’ve woven your abilities into your work experience, you can summarize them in your skills section. Including a bulleted list lets recruiters and ATS scanners quickly identify your strengths. 

Here are some skills that hint at your great communication without saying it outright:

• Presenting data
• Team collaboration
• Data visualization
• Analytical skills
• Project management
• Technical knowledge
• Client negotiation 

But remember, recruiters will only glance over this section, and they might even use it to determine if the rest of your resume is worth investigating. So, make sure you tailor your skills to match keywords in the job description. 

While it’s handy to cover the basics, avoid using too many generic terms. Instead, opt for specific skills and tools, such as “Asana,” “Customer Relationship Management (CRM),” or “Trello.”

5. Spotlight skills using the right format

I’ve come across many so-called resume experts who claim that the functional or combination structure is the answer to drawing attention to your skills. However, these formats are a risky departure from the standard, recruiter-approved reverse-chronological resume format, which places your work experience (with examples of your skills) front and center. 

Here’s a rundown of the main resume formats: 

• Reverse-chronological format. This widely used format highlights your work history, starting with your most recent position and working backward. Recruiters favor this layout because it clearly shows your career progression and makes it easy to find key details. I highly recommend this structure to boost your chances of getting noticed. 
• Functional (skills-based) format. The functional format places your skills front and center, but it can often lead recruiters to make the wrong assumptions and wonder what you have to hide. This outdated format also doesn’t perform well with ATS, so I wouldn’t recommend going down this route. 
• Combination format. Combining these two formats can be effective if you want to highlight your long list of skills upfront with extensive work experience. This format is a good choice if you have plenty of work experience, numerous accomplishments, or a diverse set of technical skills. 

6. Focus on positive outcomes

You’ve got the gist by now — whenever you mention your skills or experiences, highlight the positive outcomes. Maybe you wrote social media posts for your company, but did they boost engagement? Did your powers of persuasion close any deals?

Focusing on positive outcomes means you’re not just listing responsibilities. You want to show employers the real impact of your communication skills and your ability to deliver results, such as finishing a project early or securing a new client.

Use numbers and metrics whenever you can. Instead of saying you improved sales, say you increased them by 20% through adaptable communication strategies.

And if you’ve received awards or recognition tied to your communication skills, flaunt them. Mention specific achievements like winning a speech competition or receiving praise for a successful presentation.

7. Be clear and concise

You can’t claim to be a master communicator if your resume isn’t clear. Your grammar skills, writing style, and ability to tell your story will be under scrutiny — you don’t want to miss an opportunity because of a few typos. 

When creating your resume, review it with a fine-tooth comb and remove any unnecessary details or wordy phrases to keep it to the point. Remember, recruiters take less than ten seconds to scan your resume, so you want them to focus on the good stuff. 

Space on your resume is precious real estate, so make every word count. Highlight your communication skills and other abilities concisely. Use bullet points to list achievements and skills — it’s easier to read and quickly grabs the recruiter’s attention. 

Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

Here are the best ways to improve your communication skills: 

• Master active listening by giving people your full attention without interruptions. 
• Show interest and ask open-ended questions beyond simple small talk.
• Leave your comfort zone and build confidence with new communication challenges.
• Build relationships with coworkers and approach conversations with positivity.
• Change your mindset and embrace feedback as a tool for growth rather than criticism.
• Learn from the experts and apply their techniques to strengthen your own style.

You’re probably itching to send out your resume and land that job, not spend more time improving your skills. But trust me, sharpening your communication skills is worth it. These skills are versatile and can open ‌all kinds of doors in any industry you choose. 

Here are the steps you can take to level up your communication: 

Master active listening

The tech boom has shortened our attention spans. How many times have you glanced at your phone while having a conversation? Start by putting away your phone, closing your laptop, and giving the person your full attention.

Resist the urge to jump in with questions or solutions prematurely. We’ve all been guilty of planning our response before the other person finishes — and people notice. Let them complete their thoughts to show you’re genuinely listening and understanding their message.

Once they’ve wrapped up, take a moment to summarize what you’ve heard. You might say, “So, what I’m hearing is…” This shows you’re paying attention while clarifying any potential misunderstandings.

Show interest and ask questions 

Small talk easily makes it on the list of things I prefer to avoid. And we’re not exactly showing off our communication skills if the go-to topic is the weather. 

Try asking open-ended questions in discussions that get people talking. Skip the yes or no non-starters and go for open-ended questions like, “How did you tackle that problem?” or “What do you think about this plan?” It shows you’re genuinely curious about their perspective and opens the conversation.

Go out of your comfort zone

Fun fact: Back in my early 20s, I moved to a foreign country by myself — no job, no friends, and no grasp of the language. Did it make me a more confident and self-assured person? Absolutely. 

There’s a reason people tell you to venture out of your comfort zone — and honestly, it’s never as scary as you imagine. 

Challenge yourself with new communication tasks. It could mean stepping up to lead a meeting, speaking up in group discussions, or presenting ideas to a larger audience. Each challenge (whether big or small) adds to your confidence and broadens your skills, making future interactions less daunting.

And you don’t have to dive in headfirst. Let’s say you have a presentation coming up. Take some time to outline your points, anticipate questions, and consider how best to get your message across. Practice and preparation can make you feel more at ease.

Build relationships

Good communication starts with getting along with the people around you. Take time to connect with your coworkers on a personal level. Ask about their weekend plans or what they do for fun outside of work. 

Approach conversations with a friendly and positive attitude. No one wants to talk to someone who looks like they just drank a sour glass of milk. Smile, make eye contact, and use a polite tone to create a welcoming atmosphere where communication flows naturally.

As you build deeper relationships, your confidence will grow, giving you more room to improve your communication skills. Who knows? It might even lead to a promotion or an interesting networking opportunity.

Change your mindset 

Changing your perspective is easier said than done. When I first entered the professional world, I wasn’t great at accepting feedback. I’d get frustrated and defensive whenever someone pointed out areas for improvement.

But then I realized, how does getting defensive serve me? It doesn't help me learn or grow; it only holds me back. So, I decided to shift my mindset. I started seeing feedback not as criticism, but as valuable insights to help me get better.

Surprise, surprise — once I started embracing feedback and thinking about how I could use it to improve, things got a lot smoother. Those negative feelings I used to have? They faded away.

Feedback is a tool for learning and growing. When someone gives you feedback, they’re ultimately trying to help, so listen with an open mind. Everyone’s got their perspective, so take the time to understand where they’re coming from. And don’t be afraid to challenge your own beliefs — sometimes, our mindset can hold us back without us even realizing it. 

Learn from the experts

We all know someone who can stroll into any room and strike up a conversation with ease. Pay attention to how they talk, their tone, facial expressions, and body language. What makes their communication so smooth and engaging? Reflect on this and apply those techniques to your conversations and presentations.

If your job relies heavily on customer service or client interaction, you can even check out platforms like Coursera and Udemy, which offer a range of courses on communication skills. 

Here are some top recommendations: 

• Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills (edX)
• Finding Your Professional Voice: Confidence & Impact (Coursera)
• The Complete Communication Skills Master Class for Life (Udemy)
• Winning Communication Skills for Telephone & Conference Calls (Udemy)
• Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization (Coursera)

But I only recommend shelling out for a course if your job hinges on strong communication skills. If not, there are tons of freebies out there, like TED Talks and documentaries on communication styles and tricks. Take notes on how top-notch speakers grip their audience, organize their messages, and use language to express themselves.

Summary 

Here’s a recap of all the tips and tricks you need to know when adding communication skills to your resume: 

• Don’t just say “excellent communication skills.” Instead, mention specific skills like “negotiation” or “public speaking” to add clarity and show recruiters what you can offer the company.
• Match your communication skills to those listed in the job description. If they value teamwork, emphasize specific collaborative skills or your experiences working on successful team projects. 
• Start bullet points with action verbs like “presented,” “collaborated,” “mediated,” or “negotiated” to show practical application and boost your chances with ATS scanners. 
• Include numbers to quantify your positive impact. For example, “increased customer satisfaction by 20% through effective communication strategies.”
• Mention specific situations where your communication skills made a difference, such as closing a deal or delivering a key presentation to clients.
• Focus on positive outcomes of your communication efforts, like “secured a new client” or “resolved conflicts efficiently,” to demonstrate results and achievements. 
• If you have many communication skills under your belt, consider a dedicated skills section to list them clearly — just avoid generic statements. 
• Be clear and concise in your descriptions to keep your resume easy to read and impactful, ensuring it grabs the recruiter's attention. 

FAQ

How do you describe communication skills on a resume?

First, include your most important skills in the skills section. But don’t stop there. Describe your communication skills by outlining your experiences and any positive outcomes. For example, “Negotiated contracts with vendors, resulting in a 15% cost reduction.” By focusing on your accomplishments, you’re telling the recruiter how your skills have a tangible impact.

What is considered an extensive communication skill?

Extensive communication skills cover a broad spectrum of abilities, including verbal (public speaking, storytelling), written (emails, reports), listening (active listening, empathy), and non-verbal communication (body language, eye contact). Mastery in multiple areas, such as conflict resolution, persuasive communication, and digital communication tools, also falls under this category.

How to say you have good communication skills on a resume?

Simply saying you have “good communication skills” is generic and doesn’t tell recruiters what you can bring to the table. Instead, use specific skills to showcase your achievements. For example, “Authored and edited newsletters that increased readership by 40%.”

What is another word for communication?

“Interaction” or “dialogue” can serve as alternatives for communication. Depending on the context, terms like “correspondence” (for written communication) or “engagement” (for interactive communication) could also be appropriate.

Other synonyms for communication skills include “people skills”, “social intelligence”, and “interpersonal skills”. 

What is a good sentence for communication skills?

A good sentence demonstrating your communication skills should focus on specific abilities and how they contributed to your accomplishments. You could say, “articulated complex ideas clearly, boosting team productivity through improved understanding and collaboration.