Communication Decoded- III

 

Writing, Expressing & Self-presentation

“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.”

-Paul J. Meyer

Writing is a life skill, not only an essential job-related skill; because it is often the basis upon which others judge your learning, your values, your ideas and your contribution to society. Regardless of your career or occupation, everyone has to write to communicate with others, whether it is a friendly email, a formal business memo, a report, a job application, a press release or a message of condolence.

Writing is personal. It represents us when we are absent in space and in time.  Writing expresses who we are, even after our life time.  It makes our knowledge, our personal aspirations and our work for the future visible to others. Writing is the means to explain our ideas to ourselves and to others while preserving our personal experiences and our memories. Writing enables you to reach a much larger audience, in many places and over time.

Tips for good writing

• Make simple, short & precise sentences that are easy to read & understand
• Avoid the use of jargon while paying attention to grammar & spellings
• Do not use repetitive sentences as it may confuse the reader
• Review your previous work & examine how you’ve grown up your skills till now
• Brush up on the basic principles of writing skills by starting writing anything roughly
• Outline, edit, simplify & improve your writing tasks
• Take your time to analyze what all you’ve read
• Develop your skills & abilities by reading more & more
• Accept your mistakes as first attempts are always wrong
• Join a workshop, meet up, consult adults or else take a writing class
• Ask your friend to read what you’ve written and also provide you with feedback
• Do good research on the topic you need to write
• Do the practice of writing daily

Communication skills for resume

Landing the job you want in 2021 isn’t easy. Many parts of the economy are still recovering from the lasting impact of COVID-19, and there’s plenty of competition for good positions.

However, the best way to get a job hasn’t changed. Writing a professional resume that advertises your relevant skills, experience, and achievements is the key to attracting the attention of employers and earning an interview.

A well-written resume is a demonstration of strong communication skills. Ensure that your resume is structured appropriately and free of spelling and grammar errors. Additionally, you may also want to include some positive communication skills in your resume skills section, especially if the job post calls for specific communication skills in the job description.

• Review Successful Examples of Good Resumes available online
• Use a good template to organise contents of the resume
• Choose a workable, simple format for the resume to avoid miscommunication
• Choose a Basic Font style
• Add Numbers That Quantify Accomplishments & educational qualifications
• Include Contact Information, With a Caveat
• Add a Profile link or website link of your portfolio work to be reviewed
• Put the Most Important and Relevant Accomplishments First
• Include Commonly Parsed Keywords
• Optimize or edit your Resume according to different Job Descriptions
• Send / E-mail Resumes Properly with optimum greetings and with the Correct Attachments

Communication skills for cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces a job seeker’s work history, professional skills, and personal interest in applying for a job.

The main purpose of a cover letter is to support the content of your resume. Your resume focuses on your qualifications and achievements, and your cover letter expands on those achievements, showcases your personality, and explains why you’d be a good fit for the company.

Although they might seem old-fashioned today, cover letters are still necessary. High unemployment rates in 2020 created a bigger pool of job seekers in 2021, and writing a cover letter helps your application stand out when applying for competitive positions.

Your cover letter is a great opportunity to elaborate on your communication skills. While you can talk more directly about how effectively you communicate here, your cover letter is one of the employer’s first impressions of your skills. You will want to make your cover letter brief, well-written, free of typos and spelling errors and tailored to the position you’re applying for.

 

Contents of an effective cover letter

• Write out your contact information (and the employer’s details)
• Address the hiring manager (ideally by their name)
• Put together a clear, targeted opening paragraph highlighting the qualities you possess
• Write informative, relevant body paragraphs of characteristics and value you can add to the company
• Finish with a concise, direct closing paragraph requesting for consideration of resume qualifications and a call back
• Sign-off (“Sincerely,” and your name below)

Communication skills for a Job interview

The first, most important way you can communicate in your interview is your presentation of yourself. Show up for the interview 10–15 minutes early and dress appropriately for the job you’re applying for. Pay attention to the nonverbal cues you’re displaying through body language.

Avoid actions such as slouching or looking at your phone during the interview. Looking your interviewer in the eye, employing active listening skills and displaying confidence are all positive ways to communicate in your interview. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses and regularly practicing good habits, you can improve the way you connect and communicate with others

Job interview tips: dos and don'ts

Do:

• Dress to impress. Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed and presentable.
• Make eye contact, and begin with a strong handshake. This will signal your confidence when you meet your interviewer for the first time.
• Sit still, with your feet firmly on the ground. This will help you maintain your posture and avoid fidgeting.
• Remember your CV details. In particular the experience most relevant to the role you're interviewing for.
• Make a note of your questions. Bring a note-pad if you feel you might forget important points.
• Remember. It's just as important for the interviewer to sell the benefits of working at their business, as it is for you to impress your next potential employer.

Don't:

• Turn up late to the interview. If for some reason on the day it's unavoidable, call ahead to let your interviewer know your expected time of arrival.
• Dress sloppily or inappropriately. 
• Volunteer your weaknesses. Whilst honesty is always the best policy, there is no need to volunteer your shortfalls unless asked directly.
• Criticise your current or previous employer. Doing so could give your interviewer the impression you're difficult to work with.

Communication barriers -Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking (The case of presentations and Juries)

Here are some tips for overcoming the fear of public speaking:

• Organize your thoughts and materials
• Practice and prepare your speech
• Eliminate your fear of failure by being confident in yourself
• Watch your facial expressions and body language in front of the mirror
• Record yourself and get used to your voice and speaking style
• Deliver your speech to another person
• Do some deep breathing and stay hydrated before speaking
• Incorporate strategic pauses to help regain composure and reduce anxiety.
• Do not memorize your speech – rather, remember key points.

- Ar. Devanshi Choksi

(Asst. Prof. TSAP, B.Voc)

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