No matter your industry, effective communication is essential. Whether you’re a software engineer explaining product specs or a health care worker updating a patient’s chart, how well you communicate can affect your success.
On your resume, communication skills can’t just be listed — they need to be demonstrated. Employers want to see how your words drive collaboration, efficiency, and results. If done right, showcasing your communication abilities can set you apart from someone with the same technical skills.
What Are Communication Skills?
Communication includes more than just speaking clearly. It spans multiple modes: spoken, written, visual, and digital. And in today’s job market, it’s not enough to say you’re a “good communicator.” You need to prove it.
Verbal communication
Speaking confidently, clearly, and persuasively in meetings, presentations, or one-on-ones.
Written communication
Composing concise, accurate emails, reports, proposals, or documentation.
Non-verbal communication
Using body language, tone, and active listening builds trust or supports collaboration.
Listening skills
Understanding what’s said (and unsaid) during conversations, meetings, and feedback sessions.
Presentation and public speaking
Delivering ideas clearly to groups, clients, or stakeholders, whether live or virtually.
Digital and cross-functional communication
Collaborating across tools like Slack, Zoom, or email, and working smoothly across departments.
How To Show Communication Skills On Your Resume
Match skills to the job description
Use the language in the job posting to identify which types of communication the employer values most. If they say “cross-functional collaboration,” reflect that phrase in your resume.
Use specific, real-world examples
Instead of listing “communication” as a skill, describe a moment where it mattered. For example:
“Presented a training session to 45 staff members, increasing adoption of a new CRM tool by 60%”
This doesn’t just say you communicated, but also shows the result.
Avoid vague or overused phrases
Avoid writing “excellent communicator” or “team player.” These don’t tell a hiring manager anything unique. Instead, describe situations that highlight these strengths.
Combine communication with impact metrics
If your communication helped reduce errors, increase efficiency, or close a deal, quantify it.
Resume Examples That Highlight Communication Skills
Here are some industry-specific examples of how communication can appear in your resume’s experience section:
Example 1: sales associate
Retail Associate | Target | Phoenix, AZ | March 2021 to present
- Communicated with 50+ customers daily to answer product questions and recommend solutions
- Trained five new hires by modeling customer engagement and clear upselling techniques
- Collaborated with inventory team to improve signage and reduce customer complaints by 35%
Example 2: medical assistant
Medical Assistant | City Health Clinic | Chicago, IL | July 2019 to present
- Explained post-visit instructions to patients in person and by phone, increasing treatment adherence
- Coordinated with physicians and lab staff to streamline appointment follow-ups and reduce wait times
- Documented patient notes accurately in the electronic medical records (EMR) system, ensuring clarity across departments
Example 3: project manager
Project Manager | Edge Technologies | Boston, MA | January 2020 to present
- Led weekly stakeholder meetings, delivered project updates, and managed feedback loops
- Wrote clear project briefs that reduced rework by 40%
- Aligned teams across marketing, design, and development for five major product rollouts
Need more resume examples that showcase how to talk about your skills? Visit professional resume examples.
Resume Writing Tips for Communication Skills
Use action verbs to describe communication strengths
Start your bullet points with vivid, intentional verbs that illustrate how you communicate effectively. Strong options include “delivered,” “facilitated,” “clarified,” “negotiated,” “moderated,” “explained,” and “translated.” These verbs do more than describe. They show initiative, ownership, and impact.
Weak: “Was in charge of team updates”
Strong: “Delivered weekly project updates to cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and on-time delivery”
Explore our curated resume action words to strengthen every sentence.
Show collaboration, not just individual contribution
Most communication happens in the context of teamwork. Highlight how you contributed to group goals, led discussions, or helped resolve conflicts. This gives your resume a more dynamic, people-focused tone.
Example:
“Facilitated brainstorming sessions that helped marketing and design teams align on messaging, improving campaign cohesion”
Emphasize your role in making others more effective — not just what you said, but how you helped people understand, act, or feel heard.
Keep your wording professional, not personal
Avoid overly casual or conversational phrasing like “chatted with customers” or “talked to team members.” Choose professional alternatives that better match a hiring manager’s expectations, such as “consulted,” “addressed,” or “responded.”
Also, steer clear of vague buzzwords. Instead of saying “excellent communicator,” explain how your communication made a difference.
Focus on outcomes
The real power of communication is in its effect. Did your transparent reporting prevent delays? Did your training reduce errors? Did your leadership help a team complete a project early?
Link your communication to measurable improvements wherever possible:
“Drafted onboarding guide that reduced new hire ramp-up time by 40%”
If you can’t quantify it, aim to qualify it with a result: faster workflow, fewer mistakes, improved understanding, or better client retention.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Listing “communication” without context
Writing “communication” or “strong communicator” in a skills list isn’t enough. Hiring managers want to see how you’ve used that skill in action. Instead, describe when your communication solved a problem or moved a project forward.
Instead of: “Communication skills”
Try: “Coordinated with legal and finance teams to update contract language, ensuring compliance and faster approval timelines”
Using clichés like “strong communicator”
This phrase is vague and overused. Be specific about the type of communication you’re referring to, such as technical writing, executive presentations, or client onboarding, and the value it brought.
Repeating the same skill multiple times
If every bullet point mentions “communicated,” it can make your resume feel flat. Instead, vary your language to include different dimensions of communication: “negotiated,” “persuaded,” “briefed,” “listened,” or “advised.” These variations not only improve readability but also show your range.
Want more ways to present your strengths with variety? Look at our job title examples for your resume for guidance on customizing your descriptions.
Top Action Verbs That Showcase Communication Skills
- Advised
- Briefed
- Collaborated
- Conveyed
- Counseled
- Documented
- Facilitated
- Informed
- Led
- Mediated
- Presented
- Reported
- Resolved
- Spoke
- Translated
- Wrote
Communication isn’t a bonus skill; it’s the bridge between tasks and outcomes. And on your resume, it should be embedded in your experience, not just listed in your skills section. Show how you connect, lead, and align teams. That’s what hiring managers are looking for.
Want to make this easier? Browse our basic resume examples to find a layout that fits your communication style.
Want help figuring out which skills you should highlight for your next role? Check out skills to put on a resume for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Communication Skills on Resumes
Describe them in context. Don't just list "communication." Instead, give examples of when you conveyed information, worked with others, or resolved misunderstandings. Always connect communication with the result, such as efficiency, satisfaction, or productivity.
Employers value clear writing, active listening, presentation delivery, and the ability to collaborate across departments or media. Tailor these based on the role. For instance, digital collaboration may matter more in remote jobs, while verbal clarity is key in sales.
Yes, as communication applies to nearly all jobs. For technical or solo work, highlight written documentation, email correspondence, or explaining complex topics to non-technical audiences.
Yes, especially if communication plays a key role in the job you're applying for. Your resume summary is a prime spot to highlight two to three standout abilities that support your professional identity. If you're in a role where collaboration, public speaking, or client interaction is critical, briefly mention your communication strengths based on your experience. For example:
"Project manager with 7 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering high-impact presentations to executive stakeholders."
This approach ties communication directly to your value - not just as a skill, but as part of your professional success.
More Resume Resources
Here are some helpful pages to continue building your resume:
Resume Templates offers HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.