Top Communication Skills That Will Help You Land Any Job

Consider this: you've found your dream job. You filled out an application, sent it over with your resume and cover letter, and received a call-back asking you to come in for an interview. The nerves start kicking in. You want to impress your future company, but how do you do that? What steps can you take to ensure you come off as genuinely and natural as possible? Would you believe it's easier than you think? Below you'll find 5 communication skills that will help you land any job you want! 

Top communication skills that will help you land any job

1) Confidence

While more easily said than done for some, coming off as confident in yourself and your abilities will greatly bolster your chances of landing a position. Employers want capable, responsible individuals who take initiative in their own work. Your confidence is a main source of those traits; your ability to trust your judgment and skills translates to efficiency and reliability as a co-worker and teammate. Raising your confidence comes in many different forms: from self-care (self-affirmation, exercising, healthy diet) to helping others (volunteering, helping a friend), and even...

2) Body Language

Yes, your body language plays a significant role in both influencing your self-esteem and in how you come off to your interviewer(s). Subconsciously, humans are able to read a person's energy by examining how they hold themselves, speak, and/or move. But all is not lost! There are ways to use this to your advantage. Before your interview, take some time to stretch and perform some breathing exercises. During the interview, avoid sitting with your arms and legs crossed. Instead, sit comfortably, as you would watching a movie in a theatre. Feel free to use hand gestures to emphasize your points, but avoid shifting or moving too much, Remember, they are trying to hire somebody with the right skill set, which includes a personality that fits with the environment. They want to see who you are on any given day at work, so don't be too self-aware, simply engage by...

3) Listening and Speaking

Having a back-and-forth is desired in interview situations. As mentioned above, interviewer(s) take into account your personality alongside your skill set. Essentially, this means they are gauging your ability to listen and respond. Listening is an essential skill in interviews, work, and life in general. It means you are engaged with the other party and are actively conversing with them. It shows you can practice restraint from taking over and having a one-sided conversation. The interviewers are working out if you are a good fit for their team. Normally, that means a team player, and not an individual who doesn't allow others to speak. In other words, answer questions concisely and effectively. Avoid speech fillers and offer relevant responses. If context is required, keep it short.

4) Friendliness

This one's a given, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless. When meeting your interviewer(s), offer them a smile and a courteous 'how are you?'. In most situations, you want to come off as cordial and welcoming. You aren't trying to befriend your interviewer(s), but you are trying to show them you are approachable. Responding to a question, consider offering a relevant analogy that exhibits your affable side. You want to be able to get along with your co-workers. Show your interviewer(s) you are capable of that!

5) Respectfulness

Hand-in-hand with friendliness is respect! A respectful individual is normally a sign of good manners and positive characteristics. This means showing up to the interview (and work,) on time, wearing appropriate work attire, avoiding foul or crass language, etc.., It's indicative of somebody who can get along with others and understands social norms. For example, thank your interviewer(s) at the start and end of the interview. Show your appreciation for their taking their time to meet with you.

Following these 5 tips will significantly boost your chances of landing any job. Remember, companies consider the individual's personality, not just their resume and skill set. It's why interviews are conducted: to discuss your experiences and get to know you. Arrive on time, come in with confidence, and engage with your interviewer(s). After all, this is your time to shine!