How to Properly Assess Communication Skills?

Effective communication plays a critical role in improving employee performance and fostering a positive workplace. When a team has excellent communication skills, tasks are completed quickly. It also helps improve team collaboration within the organization.

This article discusses why communication is vital at work. It includes some important communication skills that HR (Human Resource) professionals must assess during the recruitment process.

Understanding Communication Skills

Having excellent communication skills is important, especially at the workplace. This skill helps people do their best to complete tasks effectively.

Here are various parts of communication skills and why they matter in jobs.

• Listening

  Effective communication skills start with being a good listener. This means paying close attention and understanding what others are saying. Listening skills help people work together and understand how things work in the workplace.

• Observing

  Communication skills involve more than just speaking; nonverbal signals such as body language and facial expressions are also important in sharing valuable information. Becoming more aware of these cues improves your capacity to grasp what your colleagues and clients mean and think.

• Empathizing

  Empathy is a vital part of your communication skills, which means being able to understand and feel the emotions of others. Having this skill lets you build real connections with people, making the workplace more supportive and collaborative for everyone.

• Speaking

  Being able to explain things clearly and confidently is crucial. People who excel in communication skills can make complicated ideas simple, making them valuable team members who can both understand and influence others.

• Writing

  Proficient writing skills are important in lots of jobs. When you are good at writing, you can make sure your ideas are clear and avoid confusion.

• Reading

  Reading skills help employees keep up with industry news and understand company rules. This makes them able to make smart choices and be part of the organization's success.

The Significance of Communication Skills

During the hiring process, evaluating a candidate's communication skills is crucial. It ranks among the top three factors influencing an employee's engagement at work. Effective communication fosters the ability to support, guide, and collaborate harmoniously with colleagues toward shared goals. This collective effort contributes to creating a more positive and productive work environment for all.

Excellent communication skills are important to avoid problems at work, such as sending the wrong emails or losing vital information. When employees communicate well, they can start conversations that everyone understands, which helps to reduce mistakes between different teams and departments.

Talking is 93% of how we get information, including tone and body language. Not getting the right idea from written messages causes mix-ups and issues.

A study by McKinsey & Company found that using technology to talk and work together can make employees interact better and get their tasks done faster, making them up to 25% more efficient. When employees possess effective communication skills and can give feedback well, it helps them make better choices and makes work go more smoothly. This ends up making the whole organization work better.

Effective communication skills play a vital role in retaining employees. When communication skills are strong, and employees feel engaged, they are less inclined to seek new job opportunities. When employees believe that their opinions are valued and they are integrated into a transparent communication system, they are more likely to stay with the company.

Four Types of Business Communication Skills

Employees need to be good at four kinds of business communication skills to perform their tasks well:

• Internal Upward

  Employees should possess persuasive communication skills when interacting with higher-ups in the company.

• Internal Downward

  Managers must have effective communication skills to share information with their team members.

• Internal Lateral

  Colleagues within the company must have effective communication skills to talk effectively with each other.

• External

  Engaging with external parties like clients or partners is also important for effective communication.

Key Communication Skills to Look for in Resumes

When looking at potential applicants' resumes, pay attention to these important communication skills:

• Listening

  Active listening creates a space where everyone's thoughts and emotions matter, encouraging teamwork and shared understanding.

• Empathy

  Empathy is a key part of listening, which helps employees connect with others.

• Nonverbal Communication

  Understanding and using nonverbal signals like body language and tone makes talking even better.

• Confidence

  Showing confidence when you talk builds trust. It also shows that potential candidates shine in leadership positions.

• Respect

  Respecting others' thoughts promotes open and honest communication.

• Open-Mindedness

  Being open-minded creates a space where many unique ideas come together to create new and innovative answers.

• Feedback

  Strong communication skills are crucial for improving in your job. Employees who can effectively give and receive feedback in a respectful manner help the team collaborate smoothly.

Evaluating Candidate Communication Skills

Checking how a potential candidate communicates well is a big part of the recruitment process. Effective communication helps work go smoothly, and people work well together. When evaluating a candidate's communication skills, a hiring manager must examine the following factors:

• Analyze Tone of Voice

  Check how a potential candidate talks and how they communicate. Notice if they sound friendly, happy, and positive. A candidate who talks in an interesting and subtle way is good at building great relationships with their coworkers.

• Observe Posture and Body Language

  One of the things that demonstrates a candidate's professionalism is how they carry themselves. Check for signs of politeness, like sitting up straight and paying close attention. This not only shows that the candidate is focused and takes the interview seriously but also demonstrates their strong communication skills.

• Assess Comprehension and Responsiveness

  A good communicator listens to the questions and gives the correct answers. Check if the candidate understands the question and if their replies match the topic. When they listen attentively and give on-point answers, it shows they have excellent communication skills.

• Measure Level of Interest and Engagement

  People who care about the industry and the company feel excited and get involved in the interview. Check for candidates who ask smart questions, demonstrate effective communication skills, and show they did some research about the company. This means they are serious about doing an excellent job in the role.

• Gauge Confidence and Motivation

  A potential candidate who looks confident and possesses strong communication skills appears more real and sure. They give sensible answers and show they want to do great at the job. But remember, there is a thin line between confidence and being too full of yourself.

• Evaluate Honesty and Integrity

  Being honest and having effective communication skills is important for any employee. Check if the candidate's answers match what is on their resume and if they are telling the truth. If you notice differences or made-up answers, it means they are not being truthful.

• Note Defensiveness and Constructive Criticism

  When you ask candidates about their weak points or what they wish to improve, check how they respond to advice or suggestions. Keep an eye out for candidates who have a desire to improve their communication skills rather than become upset.

To sum up, having excellent communication skills is important at work. It helps employees perform tasks well and cultivates a good workplace. Employers must check how candidates listen, talk, show empathy, and use body language during the hiring process.