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11 Best Communication Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

11 min read · Updated on February 13, 2024

Are you properly conveying communication skills in your resume?

When it comes to employment skills, few are more important than the ability to effectively communicate with others. No matter your profession, chances are that you'll need some level of communication skill to interact with co-workers, managers, subordinates, and customers. As a result, employers who are evaluating potential hires always want to see evidence of communication skills in a resume.

But which communication skills should you include in your resume to make the best possible impression on employers?

In this post, we'll explain why you need to highlight these skills in your resume, examine 11 of the top communication skills, and offer tips to help you demonstrate those abilities. We'll also provide examples that show you how to include this critical information.

Why should you include communication skills in your resume?

While your hard skills - specific, measurable, job-related abilities - typically form the core of any job description's required qualifications, soft skills cannot be overlooked in your resume. In fact, those interpersonal abilities can play a significant role in any hiring decision that involves two otherwise equally competent candidates. If you're competing for a job against someone with equivalent technical capabilities and experience, that difference in soft skills may determine who gets hired.

When you include communication skills in your resume, you're letting an employer know that you have interpersonal abilities that can make you a valuable member of their team. That's an important consideration for any employer, of course. Companies want new hires who can do more than just fulfill their duties; they want team players who fit well within their organization.

Related post : The Essential Steps of Your Communication Process

Types of communication skills

It's important to understand what we mean when we talk about communication skills. For our purposes, we can categorize these skills into three distinct types:

Verbal skills . These communication skills include everything from conveying information or persuading others to public speaking and dealing with customer complaints.

Written skills . Many jobs require the ability to write in a concise and informative manner. These skills can include everything from informal emails to professional briefs, client presentations, and detailed reports for superiors.

Interpersonal skills . The third type of communication skill involves all those abilities that you use to interact with others. They can include things like empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.

  What are the top 11 communication skills employers want to see?

Below are 11 of the top communication skills for resumes. As you might expect, there are many others that you might want to consider as well. However, these 11 skills are among the most sought-after that employers are looking for in job candidates.

1.     Active listening

Active listening is a prized communication skill. This ability goes well beyond simply hearing what others say, and instead involves the ability to actively understand their message. People with these skills can connect with others, build trust, and participate in collaborative problem-solving efforts.

Active listening includes a host of other skills, including the ability to ask probing questions, provide nonverbal and verbal cues that show that you're paying attention, and paraphrase what you're hearing to confirm your understanding of the message.

Related post : What are the Types of Listening Skills? 8 Types Explained

2.     Empathy

Empathy is a vital interpersonal trait and one of the most important leadership communication skills. People with empathy tend to be more curious and open-minded, have a keener sense of self-awareness, and are less likely to be hostage to their own natural biases and preconceptions. They value other people's perspectives and are willing to entertain ideas that challenge their beliefs.

3.     Conflict management and resolution

Conflict is an inevitable feature of human interaction - including in the workplace. If you have excellent conflict resolution skills, it's important to highlight them in your resume. Employers will be interested in knowing that you're capable of resolving interpersonal conflict in your work setting, since that can have a direct and positive impact on productivity and workplace harmony.

4.     Presentation skills

There are many jobs that require the ability to make presentations to superiors, customers, shareholders, or even coworkers. Good presentation skills enable you to compellingly convey information to others, persuade them to consider your point of view, or simply keep your target audience apprised of relevant developments.

5.     Writing skills

Effective writing skills are important in virtually every industry and a wide variety of roles. Obviously, many jobs will require simple writing tasks like composing emails, but there are a whole host of other writing abilities that employers may be looking for. These can include everything from legal briefs or technical writing to advertising copy, marketing presentations, contract creation, and more. Depending on the job you're seeking, including these important communication skills in your resume could be vital.

6.     Team building

The ability to build and work with teams is another important leadership communication skill for your resume. Whether you're interested in a managerial or executive role, this skill set is something that you'll need to succeed in that leadership position. Effective team builders know how to work with others to solve problems, are skilled in delegating work to competent subordinates, and know how to help team members reach their full potential.

Related post : 20 Key Leadership Competencies for Success (Plus Tips!)

7.     Motivation

Employers also appreciate candidates who possess useful motivational skills. While the ability to set goals, maintain a positive attitude, and rally others to achieve a shared objective is essential for leadership, it can also be an invaluable skill for anyone who works in a collaborative setting. By including these communication skills in your resume, you can ensure that employers recognize your ability to inspire others and drive productivity in the workplace.

Related post : 6 Qualities of Managers Who Practice Inspiring Leadership

8.     Openness to feedback

Hiring managers also want to see that you're capable of receiving feedback, whether it's constructive criticism or praise. These skills reflect a commitment to teamwork and continual improvement, both of which are highly prized by today's employers. It's a bonus if you're also adept at providing feedback to others. That desire to develop as an employee and help others to reach their full potential can make you an attractive candidate for many jobs.

9.     Honesty

You might not think of honesty as a communication skill, but it is. Whether you're an entry-level worker or a manager, it's important for others to know that they can trust your words. Of course, honesty encompasses more than just being truthful. It also includes character traits like trustworthiness, responsibility, accountability, and reliability. Honest people are seen as authentic and confident, traits that all good leaders possess.

10.  Emotional intelligence

As the workplace has grown more complex in recent years, hiring managers have placed greater emphasis on employees' emotional intelligence. That's a fancy term that simply describes your ability to manage your own emotions, understand your own interactions with others, and use that knowledge and insight to control stress, relate to others, communicate in a clear and effective way, and manage conflict.

People with high emotional intelligence often excel at interpersonal relations in the workplace and tend to be competent leaders. Their ability to recognize their own emotions and the feelings of others around them can help them to make more informed decisions. Including examples of your use of emotional intelligence can help to highlight those critical interpersonal communication skills in your resume.

11.  Negotiating

Negotiation skills are also highly prized in most industries, so make sure that you highlight these abilities in your resume too. Successful negotiators are adept at problem-solving, persuasive communication, and conflict resolution - skills that are useful in nearly every industry. Include an achievement in your professional experience section that highlights your negotiation skills, demonstrating how those abilities provided measurable value to a previous employer. 

Tips you can use to highlight these skills in your resume

Of course, being familiar with these different communication skills is just the first step. You also need to know how to highlight them in your resume. The following tips can help you with that process.

Match your skills to keywords in the job posting

Always make sure that you review the job posting to identify specific communication-related skills that are listed as job requirements. Wherever possible, use those exact terms in your resume as you describe various communication skills that you've used in previous jobs. That will help to ensure that your resume is found by an applicant tracking system when an employer conducts a search.

Focus on measurable achievements

Don't just say that you have certain communication skills. Show that you have them by including them as achievements in your resume summary or professional experience section. Make sure that you describe how you used those skills to produce measurable value for your employer. Use real numbers to help the reader understand the type of value you can provide as a potential hire.

Always be brief and to the point

Brevity is important, since hiring managers often sift through dozens or even hundreds of resumes. Make sure that you highlight communication skills and other abilities as concisely as possible to optimize space in your resume. Remember also that your writing skills will be on full display as you create the resume, so you probably won't need to spend much time boasting about them.

Communication skills: resume examples you can use

As we noted, there are several ways that you can highlight communication skills in your resume. You can include mention of them in your resume summary, list several within your core competencies section, and highlight examples of their use in your professional experience section. Below are some examples to show you how this is done.

Communication skills in your resume summary

Detail-oriented Office Manager with 10 years of experience managing office operations and interdepartmental communications. Managed 21-person team responsible for accounts totaling $123 million a year. Researched, drafted, and implemented interoffice communication changes that reduced waste by 22%, expedited internal processing and increased departmental revenue by 19% in the first year.

Communication skills in your skills section

Including these communication skills in your core competencies, or skills, section is a simple matter. Pick the skills that most closely align with the job requirements, and list them in bullet point form alongside other key soft skills and your technical proficiencies. For example:

Copywriting

Email management

Media communications

Presentations

Team building

Training management

Office management

Organization

Time management

Decision-making

Communication skills in your work experience section

When it comes to including your communication skills in a work experience section, you again need to focus on notable achievements. Use real numbers that demonstrate value and create several bullet point accomplishment examples for each job listing in this section. You only need to include a couple of examples of how you used your communication skills, of course, since you'll likely also want to highlight other core job-related skills too. Here are some examples that show how to do this:

Reorganized office information flow to speed up client onboarding and account management, resulting in growth of 12% in client acquisition and an increase of 40% in retention

Created an innovative training program for new office transfers, focused on new skills and employee growth. Program resulted in 60% drop in employee attrition, contributing to a 13% increase in revenues in the first quarter of implementation

Negotiated resolution to client conflict that saved a $2 million project contract and led to a 30% expansion in business with the customer over the next two years

Related post : 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

Achieve job search success by including communication skills in your resume

Much of your resume will be devoted to highlighting your job-related skills and experiences, but that's no reason to neglect these important soft skills. Conveying effective communication skills in your resume can be a terrific way to demonstrate that you're the best candidate for any job, and may be just what you need to differentiate yourself from your competition!

Are you still not sure if you've properly included your communication skills in your resume? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!

Recommended reading:

Soft Skills Explained - and the Top 7 for Your Resume

What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)

These 14 Leadership Traits Can Fuel Your Career Success

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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10 Other Ways to Say “Good Communication Skills” on Your Resume (with Examples)

Are you looking for impactful ways to demonstrate your stellar communication abilities on your resume or CV, without simply listing “good communication skills” under your skills section?

As someone who has reviewed hundreds of resumes throughout my career as a hiring manager, I can tell you that explicitly stating “good communication skills” doesn’t do much to show me that you have them. But featuring concrete examples of how you’ve applied communication abilities in past roles? Now that catches my eye.

In this blog post, I’ll highlight 10 techniques you can use on your resume/CV to exhibit your verbal, written, interpersonal, and public speaking skills, without ever directly saying “good communication skills.” From highlighting presentations you’ve developed to showcasing rapport-building with colleagues, these examples will help hiring managers immediately recognize your knack for successful communication.

So if you’re ready to refresh your resume and demonstrate, not tell, about your standout communication talents, read on!

Is “Good Communication Skills” a Good CV/Resume Word?

At first glance, “good communication skills” may seem like a strong resume keyword to include. However, simply listing this generic term does little to showcase your abilities . Instead, it’s more impactful to demonstrate communication skills through concrete examples .

For team-oriented or customer-facing roles especially, use your resume to highlight instances of successful communication . For example, quantifying presentations delivered, meetings led, or rapport built with colleagues powerfully proves you can connect with audiences.

Remember, communication is less about buzzwords and more about displaying versatility. Showcase instances of adjusting your style for diverse settings or mediums. Use active verbs to compel rather than merely tell.

The bottom line? Don’t just say you have communication skills. Prove it through stand-out resume examples that emphasize you are a nuanced, adept communicator ready to engage audiences in any role.

As we go further in this article, we’ll explore more compelling “good communication skills” alternatives or synonyms to highlight your verbal, written, interpersonal, and public speaking talents. You’ll learn powerful verbs and specific instances that exhibit sophistication as a communicator.

We’ve provided actionable tips and tailored examples to help you showcase communication excellence. Avoid resume buzzwords and learn how to exhibit nuance, versatility, and resonance as a communicator.

What to Say Instead of “Good Communication Skills” on a Resume or CV

• Articulate and persuasive communicator
• Masterful storyteller and presenter
• Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences
• Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork
• Active listener and constructive feedback provider
• Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller
• Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums
• Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts
• Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise
• Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals

Key Takeaways:

• Show, don’t tell:  Instead of simply stating you have “good communication skills,” use action verbs and specific examples to demonstrate your abilities in different situations. Start your sentences with “I am a…” to personalize and actively showcase your communication prowess.
• Tailor your language:  Consider the specific role and industry you’re applying to when choosing synonyms and phrasing your examples. Highlight skills relevant to the position and avoid overly generic statements.
• Go beyond “communication skills”:  Emphasize specific aspects of communication you excel in, such as active listening, storytelling, cultural awareness, or content writing. This showcases your unique strengths and versatility.
• Focus on impact:  Don’t just describe your actions, quantify the results of your communication efforts. Mention increased engagement, achieved buy-in, or improved performance to demonstrate the value you bring.
• Be concise and confident:  While providing specific examples, keep your resume entries brief and impactful. Use strong verbs and positive language to project confidence in your communication abilities.

Enhance your resume with impactful synonyms for “good communication skills.” We’ll explore the best options and help you use them effectively to showcase your communication strengths and shine in interviews.

1. Articulate and persuasive communicator

Pros: Concise, highlights both verbal and written skills , emphasizes ability to convince others.

Cons: Might sound less impactful than “excellent,” which could be interpreted as mainly focused on persuasion.

Example: I am an “ Articulate and persuasive communicator with a proven ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences and win buy-in for new initiatives.”

2. Masterful storyteller and presenter

Pros: Emphasizes ability to engage audiences, and showcases creative communication skills.

Cons: Might not be suitable for all roles, and could be perceived as overly dramatic for some contexts.

Example: I am a “ Masterful storyteller and presenter , skilled at weaving data, anecdotes, and visuals into compelling narratives that captivate audiences and drive action.”

3. Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences

Pros: Highlights versatility and cultural sensitivity , valuable in today’s globalized workplaces.

Cons: Less concise than other options, might not be relevant for all roles.

Example: I am an “ Adaptable communicator, tailoring messages for diverse audiences , with experience crafting presentations for technical experts, executive boards, and the general public.”

4. Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork

Pros: Emphasizes interpersonal skills, valuable for team-based roles and leadership positions.

Cons: Might not be as relevant for roles focused on individual communication.

Example: “ Collaborative communicator, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork , adept at facilitating discussions, resolving conflicts, and achieving consensus among diverse groups.”

5. Active listener and constructive feedback provider

Pros: Highlights ability to listen effectively and provide helpful feedback, crucial for personal and professional growth.

Cons: Focuses on one specific aspect of communication, might not be the most impactful choice.

Example: I am an “ Active listener and constructive feedback provider , skilled at drawing out ideas from others, offering actionable feedback that leads to improved performance.”

6. Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller

Pros: Similar to “Masterful storyteller,” but emphasizes public speaking skills specifically.

Cons: Might not be relevant for roles with limited public speaking requirements.

Example: I am an “ Engaging public speaker and captivating storyteller , with experience delivering presentations to audiences of all sizes, from small team meetings to industry conferences.”

7. Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums

Pros: Highlights versatility in writing skills, important for content creation and marketing roles.

Cons: Might not be as relevant for roles with limited writing requirements.

Example: I am a “ Dynamic writer, crafting compelling content for various mediums , including blog posts, website copy, social media content, and email campaigns, with a proven track record of driving engagement and conversions .”

8. Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts

Pros: Similar to “ Adaptable communicator, ” but emphasizes cultural awareness specifically.

Cons: Might not be relevant for roles with limited interaction with diverse audiences.

Example: I am a “ Culturally aware communicator, navigating diverse audiences and contexts , with experience working effectively in multicultural teams and communicating across language and cultural barriers.”

9. Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise

Pros: Highlights public speaking skills and ability to command attention.

Cons: Might sound less specific than other options, similar to “ Confident public presence .”

Example: I am a “ Confident presenter, delivering impactful messages with clarity and poise , comfortable speaking in front of large audiences and tailoring presentations to diverse needs.”

10. Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals

Pros: Emphasizes ability to tailor communication for specific objectives.

Cons: Might sound less approachable than other options, focusing more on strategy than personality.

Example: I am a “ Strategic communicator, aligning messages with audience needs and goals , with experience developing targeted communication plans that resonate with specific audiences and drive desired outcomes.”

Any Parting words?

Achieving communication excellence is about much more than just saying you have “good communication skills.” By now, you have a toolbox of compelling techniques to showcase your sophistication.

To recap, avoid resume buzzwords and generic claims. Opt for active verbs and tailored examples that bring your abilities to life. Highlight nuance by showcasing adjustments across diverse contexts. Emphasize achievements by strategically formatting key items.

Follow these tips, and your resume will reveal the depth of your communication talents . Hiring managers will immediately recognize your ability to connect with any audience, adjust your style, articulate complex information, and represent your organization powerfully.

So next time your resume needs updating, skip the nebulous claims. Showcase your communication skills strategically through the many avenues we’ve covered today. You’ll convey true excellence as a communicator while making your resume stand out.

The examples and alternatives provided equip you with everything needed to express your communication capabilities persuasively. Now it’s time to put these strategies into action as you present your most compelling resume yet.

Related Posts:

50 Inspiring Examples for 7 Communication Skills for a Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 22, 2023 — 6 minutes to read

When crafting your resume, highlighting your strong communication skills is essential. Here are some top skills to consider and examples of how to showcase them on your resume.

• Active Listening: Demonstrate your ability to be receptive and engage in the conversation. For example: Successfully facilitated team meetings by actively listening to colleagues and providing constructive feedback.
• Verbal Communication: Showcase your ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. For example: Presented quarterly reports to the executive board, effectively communicating the sales team’s achievements.
• Written Communication: Emphasize your capacity to create clear, concise written documents. An example may be: Developed and maintained monthly newsletter for the marketing department, reaching over 500 employees.
• Empathy: Understanding others helps foster strong professional relationships. For example: Addressed customer concerns with compassion, resulting in significant improvements in client satisfaction.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Focus on moments where you contributed to successful team projects. For instance: Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute a new product launch, achieving a 30% increase in sales.
• Adaptability: Showcase your flexibility and ability to handle change effectively. Here’s an example: Adapted communication style to accommodate remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a seamless transition for the team.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts efficiently benefits everyone. For example: Mediated disagreements between team members, helping to create a more collaborative and harmonious work environment.

Verbal Communication Skills

Public speaking.

Mastering public speaking can be a game changer for your resume. Employers appreciate candidates who can confidently present information to groups. To showcase your public speaking skills, mention specific experiences where you have delivered presentations or speeches. For example:

• Delivered a presentation on sustainable business practices to a team of 30 colleagues
• Facilitated a workshop on effective communication for new employees

Foreign Language Proficiency

Being proficient in one or more foreign languages can set you apart from other candidates. It indicates your ability to communicate with a diverse range of people, which is valuable in a globalized workplace. To highlight your language skills, list the languages you’re proficient in along with your level of fluency. For instance:

• Fluent in Spanish and French
• Intermediate proficiency in Mandarin and German

Related: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume (Examples)

Active Listening

Active listening is an essential verbal communication skill that demonstrates your ability to understand and engage with others effectively. Employers value employees who can listen attentively and respond thoughtfully in discussions. To emphasize your active listening skills, provide examples of situations where you’ve made a difference through attentive listening. Examples might include:

• Resolved a customer complaint by actively listening to their concerns and implementing a solution
• Improved team dynamics by being attentive during meetings and encouraging open communication among team members

Written Communication Skills

Professional writing.

In the professional world, written communication is a must-have skill. Your resume should showcase your ability to articulate thoughts and ideas with clarity and precision in different formats (reports, emails, proposals, etc.). To highlight this skill on your resume, use phrases like:

• Developed and edited company newsletters, enhancing employee engagement
• Created detailed project proposals, securing client approval and project funding
• Drafted and revised technical documentation, ensuring user-friendly clarity and accuracy

Business Correspondence

Effective business correspondence involves crafting clear and concise emails, memos, and letters tailored to various audiences. Showcasing this skill on your resume can demonstrate your expertise in professional etiquette and the ability to adapt your writing style to different scenarios. Here are some examples:

• Collaborated with international teams, sending clear and concise email correspondence to prevent miscommunications
• Generated persuasive sales emails that contributed to a 15% increase in client conversion rates
• Wrote concise and informative weekly memos to upper management, providing updates on project progress

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Conflict resolution.

When listing your conflict resolution skills on your resume, be specific about the techniques you employ:

• Skilled in using active listening to pinpoint underlying issues and complaints.
• Experienced in mediating disagreements between colleagues to find a mutual agreement.
• Proficient in providing constructive feedback and reinforcing positive communication behaviors.

Collaborative Teamwork

Highlight your ability to work effectively with others by showcasing the following abilities:

• Proven track record of successful group projects and team initiatives.
• Ability to adapt communication style based on team dynamics and members’ strengths.
• Skilled in brainstorming, group problem-solving, and co-creating ideas with diverse team members.

Showcase your ability to understand and relate to others’ feelings and emotions by including these skills in your resume:

• Empathetic and compassionate attitude to foster a positive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide emotional support and encouragement to team members in stressful situations.

Digital Communication Skills

Social media.

Nowadays, social media plays an important role in promoting a company’s brand and engaging with customers. Highlight your experience in leveraging social media platforms to advocate brand values and enhance customer relationships. Include these skills in your resume with statements like:

• Managed corporate social media accounts to establish a consistent brand voice and engage with customers.
• Successfully increased follower count and engagement on various platforms by creating relevant content.

Online Meeting Management

Effectively managing online meetings is a skill that demonstrates your ability to keep participants engaged and ensure productive outcomes. Emphasize your ability to plan, host, and facilitate virtual meetings using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Here are some examples of how to put those skills on your resume:

• Experienced in scheduling and hosting virtual meetings, ensuring timely starts and focused discussions.
• Skilled in facilitating online meetings with participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some strong examples of communication skills to include on a resume.

Consider showcasing a range of communication skills, such as active listening, clear writing, public speaking, and negotiation. For example:

• Active listening: “Consistently praised for effectively capturing project requirements through attentive listening in client meetings.”
• Clear writing: “Developed company-wide email guidelines to ensure clarity and professionalism in written communication.”
• Public speaking: “Delivered engaging and informative presentations at industry conferences, demonstrating strong public speaking skills.”
• Negotiation: “Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers, resulting in a 12% reduction in supply chain costs.”

How can I effectively showcase teamwork and collaboration abilities on my resume?

To emphasize your teamwork and collaboration skills, think about the projects you’ve participated in and your role in those projects. Examples:

• Successfully worked on cross-functional teams to complete projects on time and under budget.
• Collaborated with colleagues to innovate and implement improvements, increasing department efficiency by 15%.
• Facilitated open and constructive conversations within a diverse team environment, fostering trust and accountability.

What are some tips for highlighting written communication skills in a resume?

When showcasing written communication skills, focus on the outcomes your writing has achieved. For example:

• Crafted client proposals that consistently resulted in increased contract value and successful project launches.
• Edited and proofread internal communications, ensuring consistent tone and style across departments.
• Authored monthly newsletter with a growing subscriber base, receiving positive feedback for engaging and informative content.

Which techniques can demonstrate strong verbal communication abilities on a resume?

To illustrate your verbal communication skills, highlight situations where your speaking abilities played a critical role. Examples:

• Delivered persuasive sales pitches, resulting in a 20% increase in closed deals.
• Articulated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, facilitating successful project rollouts.
• Mediated conflicts between team members, fostering a positive work environment and promoting effective problem-solving.

How can one emphasize active listening skills when creating a professional resume?

To showcase your active listening skills, emphasize your ability to understand and respond to others’ ideas and concerns. Think about instances where your attentive listening has positively impacted projects. For example:

• Acted as a key liaison between departments, ensuring clear communication and understanding of project goals and tasks.
• Routinely sought input and feedback from team members, incorporating ideas into project plans and processes.
• Demonstrated a diplomatic approach in meetings and discussions, fostering open communication and maintaining team harmony.

What are some strategies to showcase problem-solving and leadership skills on a resume?

To highlight problem-solving and leadership skills, focus on examples where your actions led to positive outcomes. You might include:

• Successfully led a team through a challenging project turnaround, implementing targeted solutions to deliver on-time and within budget.
• Mentored junior employees, providing guidance and support that contributed to their successful progression within the company.
• Identified inefficiencies in work processes and implemented process improvements, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity.
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How to list communication skills and examples on a resumé

Good communication skills are essential to have – in your personal life and in the workplace. They’re a key ingredient for collaboration and teamwork, and essential if you work with customers or clients. 

Employers want team members who work well together and can support one another, which is impossible without good communication skills. No matter what type of job you’re applying for, including communication skills on your resumé is a good idea.

If you’re applying for your first job with no experience, it’s even more important to list communication skills and examples on your resumé. In this guide, we explore what communication skills are and help you pick the right skills to include in your resumé.

What are communication skills?

Communication skills involve the ability to clearly convey and understand information. Specific to work, it’s how effectively you:

• Collaborate with your teammates
• Interact with stakeholders
• Present data
• Send emails
• Solve problems
• Serve customers or clients 

Effective communication skills are helpful for career progression as they give you the ability to convey thoughts clearly and tactfully and help you build strong work relationships.

On your resumé, communication skills fall into the category of soft skills or transferable skills. They’re different from technical skills , which refer to specialised knowledge and specific areas of expertise. Depending on your profession, they are both highly beneficial to showcase in your resumé. Soft skills, for example, are especially important for roles in sales and hospitality.

Why should you include communication skills in a resumé?

Adding communication skills to your resumé helps give the employer a rounded impression of your abilities and what you can bring to a role. Even if your profession doesn’t involve interacting much with others, the hiring company probably still has expectations for communication. Communication skills can only benefit you at work and in your resumé. 

Quick examples of roles and communication skills in a resumé

There are many different types of communication skills and not all of them are common or required for every job. So how do you know which to add to your resumé? Here are a few examples of communication skills, to give you an idea of how to tailor yours to the role you’re applying for. 

• A manager may highlight their presentation skills, report-writing skills, active listening skills or empathetic communication skills
• A sales assistant may include their problem-solving and persuasion skills
• A designer would want to highlight their collaboration skills and visual communication skills

It’s all about selecting the communication skills that are most relevant and important to the job you’re applying for. Let the individual role and job description be your guide.

How to show communication skills in a resumé

There are a few different ways to showcase your communication skills in a resumé. You can highlight them in a career objective statement along with other key skills and work experience. You can list them in the skills section of your resumé or work them into the experience section. It’s up to you how you include them, but keep these best practices in mind. To best show off your communication skills:

• First assess your professional abilities and see which fall under the umbrella of communication skills.
• Choose two to five key communication skills that best align with the job.
• Show how your skills have helped you achieve an outcome in the workplace, like using effective communication to manage projects or meet deadlines.

The more specific your communication skills are to the job ad, the easier it will be for the hiring manager to align your abilities with what they need. 

Communication skills to include in your resumé

Communication skills come in many forms, like being able to write well, present engagingly or resolve conflicts in the workplace. Some of the top communication skills you can include in your resumé:

• Written communication: this could include creating reports, writing emails, liaising with clients, responding to customers, writing tenders or pitches, etc.
• Verbal communication: this could include delivering constructive feedback , public speaking, MCing events, chairing meetings, etc.
• Interpersonal communication: this could include day-to-day collaboration and teamwork, conflict resolution, serving customers, mediating, etc.
• Empathy, active listening and non-verbal communication: these could be important skills to list for roles in social and public services, teaching and healthcare, etc.

To ensure your skills support your application, choose the ones that best align with the job ad. This will ensure everything on your resumé makes a case for why you’re a great candidate for the job and why the hiring company should call you for an interview.

Communication skills – resumé phrases

Giving your communication skills some context in your resumé gives employers a better understanding of what you bring to the table. It helps them imagine your skills in practice in their workplace. Describe where you have used a specific skill and how it helped your past employer.

For example, include how a specific skill helped you exceed key performance indicators or how your skills help keep customers happy. Some different communication skills resumé phrases you could use include:

• Excellent written communication: wrote and edited my department’s quarterly reports
• Excellent verbal communication: increased average floor sales by 10%
• Presentation skills: required to present to senior leadership every quarter
• Empathetic manager: improved staff retention in 2023
• Public-speaking skills: moderated several industry panels
• Collaboration skills: work effectively with international teams 

Your resumé itself should also show off excellent written communication. Ensure it is concise and typo-free to give the hiring manager a good first impression of your skills.

Communication skills in a resumé – example

How you format your communication skills in your resumé depends on where you put them. If you put them in your skills section, you only need to list them as bullet points. If you include them in your work experience section, write them into the descriptions of your duties. You could also choose to highlight skills in your resumé summary . Here are some examples:

• Highly empathetic and compassionate nurse with a decade of experience in providing the highest level of patient care.
• Persuasive sales manager with strong closing abilities. Maintained a 72% close rate in the top 3% of sales managers in the state.
• Well-spoken student looking for a casual retail role with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Getting your resumé right is crucial if you want to effectively show off your skills. Choosing your most relevant communication skills can make all the difference when it comes to standing out against other job seekers. Even if your profession doesn’t involve a lot of communication, these skills are always valued in the workplace. They’re the foundations of a good workplace culture, which is something every employer – and employee – wants. 

How do you say good communication skills on a resumé?

A good way to talk about good communication skills on a resumé is to be specific about your particular skills. For example, you could mention or list:

• Good written and verbal skills 
• Strong presentation skills
• Public speaking experience

If your skills are advanced or you have a relevant qualification, you can list them as technical or advanced skills. 

How would you describe your written communication skills?

Some words to describe written communication skills on a resumé include: 

• Professional

You can also show off your written communication skills in your resumé and cover letter, or provide links to any professional writing samples. 

Can communication skills be listed in a separate section in my resumé?

Communication skills are often listed with other soft skills on a resumé or in the objective description. You can also use them in your work experience section to showcase how they helped you achieve specific results. If you are writing a resumé for a writing job or a role requiring formal communication, you should also include a portfolio of work or links to writing samples.

Are communication skills more important than technical skills in my resumé?

While technical skills will help you meet criteria for the role, communication skills help you stand out as a valuable team player. You should include both communication and technical skills on your resumé. 

Should I include communication skills in a cover letter as well?

Your cover letter is a good place to include examples of how you’ve used good communication skills, if they’re relevant for the job. For example, for a customer-facing role, you may highlight being commended for providing great customer service or being known for high satisfaction rates. 

How can I improve my communication skills for my resumé?

Some good ways to improve your communication skills for your resumé include:

• Working on active listening
• Practising speaking skills
• Asking for feedback
• Doing a course
• Joining a special interest group
• Getting a mentor

You can practise communication skills at home by reading more, watching instructional videos, taking online courses or role-playing work situations with family and friends. Communication skills are abilities that will evolve naturally over time through experience as you interact with different people in new situations.

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How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A personal statement is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, skills, and experiences, all while showcasing your personality.

But whether you're applying for university, a job, or funding, it can be daunting to write about yourself. To increase your chances of getting accepted, it's important to know how to create an effective personal statement.

In my six years as a copywriter, I’ve written many personal statements that get results. In this article, I’ll guide you through what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a personal statement based on your application type.

Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique qualities, experiences, and skills.
• It should always relate to the course, job, or funding you are applying for.
• Include accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate how suited you are to the position or course you are applying for.
• Use clear and simple language to ensure your points are understood.

Your personal statement should be concise and demonstrate how you fit the position or opportunity you’re applying for. It’s important to keep information relevant, rather than listing all of your skills and accomplishments.

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

Before you start, make sure you understand what's expected of you. Are there specific instructions, keywords, or phrases that stand out in your prompt? Read through it thoroughly and note the requirements. You can then brainstorm ideas for each point.

Let's say I'm applying for a university journalism course. I've been asked to write a statement that shares why I'm interested and why I would be a good fit. I can use columns to plan my content:

Putting your ideas together first makes it easier to stay on track. Otherwise, you might lose focus and include irrelevant information. 

Show, don't just tell

Once you’ve listed your experiences, skills, and accomplishments, consider how you can demonstrate them with examples. Take a look at the list you created during the previous exercise and organize your points so you have clear examples and proof.

This technique helps you demonstrate your experiences and how they tie in with your application.

When telling anecdotes, use engaging stories that demonstrate your skills. For instance, a story about how I handled a fast-paced news internship proves I work well under pressure. 

Start strong

Recruiters, application tutors, and funders read lots of personal statements. You can make yours stand out with an engaging introduction.

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility: 

"Communication is the key to marketing success, according to Business Marketing News. With five years of experience communicating and delivering campaigns to global clients, I have the skills and passion to add value to your team."

A personal story

Anecdotes connect the reader with the author’s real-life experience: 

"My first exposure to microbiology was during my time as a research assistant for a microbiologist. I was fascinated by the complex and intricate processes within cells."

An alarming statement

This piques the reader’s interest by making an issue seem urgent:  

“ The fashion industry churns out clothes at an alarming rate, causing mass production of synthetic fibers and harsh chemicals which have a detrimental impact on the planet. Funding my sustainability initiative is vital to mitigating this environmental impact." 

Avoid cliches such as "From a young age, I have always loved...." and "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for..."

Pro tip: Use Wordtune Editor 's Shorten feature to cut unnecessary fluff and make your intro sharper. Simply type in your sentence and click Shorten to receive suggestions.

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

Admission committees and employers appreciate sincerity and authenticity. While it may be tempting, avoid exaggeration. You can better emphasize your skills and personality by being honest. For instance, rather than claiming I read every type of newspaper in my journalism application, I can focus on my dedication to reading The New York Times.

Your writing style should also feel genuine. Instead of trying to impress with complex language and fancy words, keep sentences simple and direct . This makes them more effective because they’re easier to read. 

Address weaknesses

Addressing weaknesses can show your willingness to confront challenges. It also gives you a chance to share efforts you have made for improvement. When explaining a weakness, exclude excuses.

Instead of saying "I didn't achieve my expected grades due to work commitments impacting my studies," try “While I didn't achieve my expected grades, I am now working with a tutor to help me understand my weak areas so I can succeed in your program.”

Wordtune’s Spices feature can help you develop counterarguments to weaknesses. In the Editor, highlight your text, click on Spices, and then Counterargument . Here’s an example:

Using Wordtune’s suggestion, I can highlight my eagerness to learn and provide examples to support my argument.

Highlight achievements

This is your chance to shine! A personal statement should highlight your best qualities — provided they relate to your prompt.

Ask yourself:

• What are your skills and strengths? Identify both academic and non-academic abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• What challenges have you faced? Reflect on how you have overcome significant challenges and how these experiences have helped you grow. For example, completing a course, learning a new language, or starting a business.
• What are your unique selling points? Consider what sets you apart from other applicants. For example, you may have a unique set of technical skills or experience learning in a different country.
• How have your achievements shaped your goals and aspirations? Sharing your goals shows that you think long-term and have taken the time to make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.

Connect with the institution or company

Tailor your statement to the specific institution or company you're applying to — this shows you understand their values and have carefully considered where you want to seek opportunities.

To do this, head to the company or institution’s website and look for the About page. Many organizations include a mission statement on this page that conveys its purpose and values.

For example, universities often include their values under “Community” or “Student Life” sections. Here, Princeton University’s “In Service of Humanity” section highlights how they value using education to benefit society. Applicants can engage with this by explaining how they interact with their communities and seek to use their education to help others.

You can also research a company or institution’s social media. Look for similarities — maybe you both prioritize collaboration or think outside the box. Draw upon this in your personal statement. 

End with a strong conclusion

A strong conclusion is clear, concise, and leaves a lasting impression. Use these three steps:

• Summarize the main points of your statement. For example, “My experience volunteering for the school newspaper, along with my communication skills and enthusiasm for writing, make me an ideal student for your university."
• Discuss your future . Share your future ambitions to remind the reader that you’ve carefully considered how the opportunity fits into your plans.
• Include a closing statement. End on a positive note and offer the reader a final explanation for why you would be a great match. For instance, “Thank you for reviewing my statement. I am confident my skills and experience align with the role and your company culture.”

Tip: Learn more about writing an effective conclusion with our handy guide . 

Different types of personal statements

Now you know how to write a personal statement, let’s look at what to focus on depending on your application type.

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on the type. Generally, it should be around 500 words to 650 words . However, a university application is often longer than a statement for a job, so it’s vital to determine what is expected of you from the beginning.

Whatever the length, it’s important to remove and edit content fluff , including any repetition or copy that does not relate to your prompt.

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes: 

• An engaging introduction.
• Clear examples of your experiences, skills, and expertise. 
• A commitment to improvement, if required.
• Any applicable achievements. 
• A direct connection to the company or institution’s values.
• A strong conclusion that summarizes information without adding new content.
• Authentic, simple language.

Personal statements are an opportunity to delve deeper and share who you are beyond your grades or resume experience. Demonstrate your ability with anecdotes and examples, address any weaknesses, and remember to use genuine and simple language. This is your place to shine, so follow our tips while displaying your unique personality, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get started and create a powerful introduction? Read our step-by-step guide .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a personal statement?

A cover letter expresses your interest in a position and introduces you to an employer. It’s typically shorter and focuses on your qualifications, skills, and experience for a particular role. A personal statement, however, is common for a job, internship, funding, or university application. It explores your background, goals, and aspirations, as well as your skills and experience.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement is an opportunity to stand out by detailing your background, experiences, and aspirations. It should explain why you are interested in and a good match for the company or institution you are applying to.

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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What are communication skills?

The 5 main types of communication, why should you strengthen your communication skills, the top 7 communication skills for effective communication in the workplace, putting your communication skills to work, understanding yourself.

Humans are communicative animals. From early on, you meet your needs by expressing yourself via audible cries or nonverbal gestures.

Throughout your life, communication affects your fulfillment levels. You can tackle arguments quickly if you’re expressing yourself well and listening actively to the other person. And you’ll enjoy deeper relationships if you can share openly and be vulnerable . 

It’s no wonder workplaces prioritize strong communication skills when hiring. Employers want employees who express themselves well to ensure they’re being proactive about having their needs met and can handle workplace conflict tactfully. 

When looking for a new job , don’t underestimate the importance of strong communication skills. In a recent survey by GMAC, corporate recruiters ranked oral communication skills in first place on a list of 25 professional skills that included analysis, creativity , and drive.

Listening skills came in second, written communication was fourth, and presentation skills rounded out the top five.

In the same GMAC survey, 81% of recruiters said that interpersonal skills (which include communication skills) were most sought-after, and 57% said the demand for interpersonal skills will grow over the next five years.

It’s clear: developing strong communication skills is a wise investment in your professional future.

Communication skills are the abilities that allow you to effectively share your thoughts and emotions and understand others’. People with excellent communication skills express themselves clearly and effectively interpret what others say. 

In the workplace, effective communication is vital . If managers can’t communicate what they want or employees can’t succinctly describe a problem to coworkers, misunderstandings increase, as do mistakes and conflicts.

There are five main types of communication: written, oral (also called “spoken” or “verbal”), nonverbal, visual, and receptive.

1. Oral communication

This involves using spoken words to convey ideas. Politicians giving speeches, parents telling bedtime stories, and workers in Zoom meetings all use oral communication skills to express their thoughts and feelings and understand others’.

2. Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is everything that’s unspoken when someone’s communicating with others, including:

Body language

Hand gestures

Eye contact

Tone of voice

Use of space

Appearance ( like clothing )

While nonverbal communication is most powerful in face-to-face contexts, such as in-person meetings and presentations , it also plays a role in remote work environments. Think about how closely you pay attention to people’s facial expressions (and Zoom backgrounds) in online meetings and webinars.

3. Written communication

Written communication involves using written or typed words (plus punctuation marks and emojis) to convey ideas. Unlike oral communication, written communication is typically asynchronous , meaning that writer and reader aren’t engaging with the message at the same time. 

Because written communication is often asynchronous, receivers don’t get as many supporting cues as in oral communication. You can’t see the author’s facial expressions or hear their voice’s tone.

If you’re not extra careful to convey the right emotional tone in written communication, you risk being misinterpreted.

4. Visual communication

Visual communication involves expressing ideas and feelings through illustrations, images, and design. This type often supports other forms of communication. Infographics, for example, are a combination of visual and written communication.

5. Receptive communication

Receptive communication is the ability to decode oral, nonverbal, written, and visual communication. This is the half of the communication equation most people forget, but it’s crucial: what’s the point of writing a story or creating an infographic if nobody can understand it?

Having the right communication skills for a job makes you a more attractive hire. If they’re looking for someone to correspond directly with clients, for example, your written communication skills will stand out . 

But even after you get the job, communication challenges will surface in your professional life, like conflicts with a coworker or asking for a raise . To solve them, you’ll need to adapt your techniques and learn new ones constantly.

Strengthening different types of communication skills also helps you build and maintain working relationships , make more intelligent decisions , and motivate and inspire others . It could even increase your chances of getting a promotion since you’ll know how to communicate your value to your manager. 

Adding excellent communication skills to your skillset will also make you a better leader. Transformational leaders show exceptional communication skills .

They can explain complex concepts using simple language, use powerful metaphors to make their messages stick, and unite people by sharing the company’s mission.

Here’s a list of the seven most crucial workplace communication skills with examples of communication competency in each and tips for developing them further.

1. Relationship building and maintenance

Human connection is fundamental to experiencing happiness, and genuine workplace connections improve one’s mental health . And the way you connect is by communicating with others: sharing your experiences, giving advice, listening attentively to show you care, etc. 

Tips: Small talk is only small if you do it wrong. To enjoy deeper connections, try empathizing with others , asking questions , and using the FORD acronym (family, occupation, recreation, dreams) to brainstorm topics. 

And to maintain these relationships, note small details about people (their childrens’ and pets’ names, things they said they were going to do, their food or drink preferences) and bring them up later. To repair relationships, learn how to apologize gracefully and sincerely. 

2. Group facilitating

Facilitation is guiding a group of people through a process to achieve a particular goal. Having to chair a meeting , resolve a conflict, or lead a group discussion are all nerve-wracking. But good facilitation is a skill you can learn — and the better you are at it, the less talking you need to do. 

Tips: Foster the right emotional environment to help the group reach its goals. When facilitating a brainstorming session, aim to generate positive emotions through praise and enthusiasm, as feeling good makes people more creative .

If you need to solve a problem together, channeling frustration can motivate people to find solutions.

3. Public speaking

Getting comfortable with public speaking will advance your career in leaps and bounds.

Public speaking helps you demonstrate leadership potential within your own company. It also builds your professional reputation, expands your professional network , and exposes you to cutting-edge advances in your industry through attendance at conferences and other professional events.

Tips: Even the best public speakers get nervous. Manage your anxiety before presentations by preparing thoroughly, breathing deeply , and practicing.

Consider asking for feedback on aspects of your nonverbal communication to make sure you radiate a natural confidence , warmth, and professional competence. 

Though some people recommend practicing in front of a mirror, this might make you self-conscious. Instead, ask a colleague or coach to listen, or even deliver the talk to your pet.

If it’s an online presentation, check the technology in advance, make sure your background is professional, and look directly into the camera. 

4. Storytelling

Storytelling is a popular form of written and verbal communication that’s especially effective for leaders . Research shows that leaders who tell great stories unite their workers under common values and even bring in more investment dollars . 

Tips: When telling a story, start with a hook to draw your audience in. Many workplace stories are about solving problems, so your hook could be a brief personal anecdote about a time you found yourself in a sticky situation. Listeners will want to pay attention to learn how you got out of it. 

To refine your storytelling skills, develop an elevator pitch: a compelling version of an idea or project that you can communicate in under a minute (i.e., if you’re in an elevator with someone, you have to convince them it’s a great idea before they arrive at their floor).

5. Giving feedback

The best professional environments have a strong feedback culture . To create that culture, you need to be comfortable giving all kinds of feedback: constructive criticism that helps people improve, praise , upward feedback to your boss, and downward feedback to your direct reports.

Tips: When giving constructive feedback, show respect for the other person by listening to them carefully. Make it clear that you empathize with their position before making comments that may be hard to hear.

Consider whether structuring the feedback as a “ feedback sandwich ” (positive feedback, then suggestions for improvement, then more positive feedback) would help the worker assimilate the message. 

If you’re a manager, make sure you consistently show appreciation to your team , as this improves morale and performance.

6. Receiving feedback

Receiving feedback can be difficult, even if it’s positive. But knowing how to receive feedback well is just as important as knowing how to give it. Listening carefully to feedback helps you develop self-awareness, improve your performance , and take a more active role in your professional development .

Tips: When you receive difficult feedback, remember that the intent behind the words is to help you improve, even if hearing it makes you feel bad in the moment.

Try to regulate your emotions by finding commonalities between you and the other person or cultivating curiosity about the negative feelings you’re experiencing. If you receive confusing feedback, ask questions to clarify the steps you can take to improve.

7. Active listening

Active listening is an important factor of good communication.

When you listen actively, you’re not just sitting quietly and letting the words wash over you — you’re participating in the conversation by offering supportive verbal and nonverbal responses, asking questions, and paraphrasing what the other person says to show you understand.

Tips: To improve your active listening skills, eliminate all distractions and focus completely on the speaker. Ask open-ended questions to encourage your conversation partner to keep talking.

Avoid interrupting, but do use short verbal and nonverbal responses (“ backchannels ”) like “yeah,” “mm-hm,” and head nodding to show you’re listening.

When applying for jobs, show off your communication skills by incorporating storytelling into cover letters and relevant examples into your resume and LinkedIn summary , as well as using the STAR framework (situation, task, action, result) to tell focused stories in job interviews.

Show recruiters and future team members you’re a good listener by paying close attention to what they’re saying in interviews, rephrasing key points they make, and sending nonverbal signals that you appreciate their point of view.

When you receive a job offer, keep demonstrating your skills by writing a great offer acceptance email . Then enjoy exercising and developing your skills in the new position.

Building strong communication skills makes you a great hire, friend, and family member. But it also means you’ll better understand yourself. You’ll notice when your body language has become defensive and can ease back, or when your voice’s volume is too soft for a large room and can amplify.

In the end, you’re learning more about your behavior to exercise control over unwanted habits and live a more authentic life — and that’s priceless.

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Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

7-38-55 rule of communication: How to use for negotiation

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How would you describe your communication skills? 6 Sample interview answers

Communication skills. The expression can mean a lot of things , but almost every employer will include them on the profile of an ideal job candidate.

How to describe your communication skills in a job interview? And should you change your answer according to the job you are trying to get? We will try to find the answers in this article, starting with sample answers to the question. Some from the answers below will work just fine for different variations of this question, such as “ What is your communication style? “, or “ How do you rate your communication skills? ” Enjoy!

6 sample answers to “How would you describe your communication skills?”

• Before anything else, I would describe myself as a great listener. Life taught me that in both personal and professional relationships , listening is actually more important than talking . One has to listen to understand their colleagues, customers, business partners. And just when we understand them and their needs, we can deliver an excellent speech–be it a negotiation, sales talk, description of a problem, anything.
• Judging by experience, I would say that my communication skills are very good. I have never had a problem with explaining things to my colleagues , with leading meetings at work, but also with hearing critical feedback, or with dealing with rejection. Certainly we should never be completely satisfied, and we should always strive to improve on our communication skills, since they are vital for each good manager. But I would rate my communication skills as great.
• To be honest, I should definitely improve on my communication skills . I use professional jargon too much, and it often happens that people from outside of accounting department do not understand my words. But I am aware of my weakness, and try to eliminate it. I know my communication style doesn’t allow me to connect well with some colleagues, and I want to adjust it to my new job. That’s the goal for sure.
• I believe that I can motivate others with my words. I have a great understanding of the needs and wishes of other people, and I can typically find the right words in every situation. Be it a conflict, crisis of motivation, or just a typical daily team meeting–I know what to say to the people. At least that is my impression, but of course learning never stops. I can find myself in a situation when I would not know what to say. If it happens, I will try to learn from it.
• I think it would be better to ask my former colleagues, subordinates, superiors. I had the feeling that we went along quite well . We didn’t have many conflicts, and when a conflict started, we could get over it quickly. I always tried to understand my colleagues, their views and expectations. Perhaps that helped me to find right words in almost every moment. But as I said, this is only my impression. It would be better if you asked my colleagues directly how they would describe my communication skills.
• My communication style is pretty much straightforward. This is a fast-paced working environment , and I cannot afford spending ten minutes going round and round with my blabber, without clearly expressing my point to the recipient of the message. Hence I try my best to clearly express what I need or want to say, and make sure the other person understood my message. That’s how I’d describe my communication style.

Listening skills–the holy grail of communication

Regardless of whether you try to get a job of a secretary, manager, programmer, teacher, sales representative, or a nanny–or any other job –listening skills are always important . When you describe yourself as a good listener you will always say something an employer wants to hear.

Remember though that your words (your description of yourself) should correspond with the impression you make on the hiring managers . For example, if you struggle to talk to the point, or ask interviewers to repeat their questions, or forget something and ask about it twice, or interrupt them in the middle of a sentence, they won’t have a reason to trust your words (about your excellent listening skills).

To demonstrate excellent listening skills in an interview is actually more important than to boast about them. Keep it on your mind, and try to pay attention to the words of your interviewers.

Ability to give clear orders matters for managerial jobs

Once you have subordinates in your work, it is important to have an ability to give them clear instruction on a daily basis. Unless people understand what you want from them, they won’t be able to follow your orders.

Your ability to explain difficult things in a simple way, or in a language of common people if you want, is pivotal in this case. Once again, the key is to say the right thing (when they ask you to describe your communication skills), and demonstrate it with proper behavior and communication in an interview.

For example, you should avoid technicalities or lengthy sentences. Hiring managers have to understand you clearly if you want to convince them that your future colleagues will understand your directions.

Special tip: This question won’t be the only difficult question you will face while interviewing for any decent (or great) job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, dealing with ambiguity , and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace. If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package . Up to 10 premium answers to 31 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will help you streamline your interview preparation , and eventually outclass your competitors and get the job. Check some sample answers directly on the product page and see for yourself. Thank you!

Humility can help you big time, especially when rating your communication skills

One of the underrated interview strategies (for job seekers) consists in offering modest answers . Think about it for a minute: Most interviewers are skilled enough to rate your communication skills , to tell whether you are a good listener, talk to the point, give clear orders to other people. They do not need to directly ask you about your communication skills.

But they may still do so, for different reasons. If you come up with a modest answer, saying that you could actually improve on your communication skills (or on certain skill in particular), and later on surprise them with your actual level of communication skills (while you answer one question after another), you can easily win them over with your modest approach and your desire to always improve.

Should you adjust your answer to the particular interview?

You can certainly make some adjustments. For example, ability to understand needs of a customer and to translate them into an effective sales speech in important for each sales manager , account executive, or any other sales professional.

Ability to talk in an entertaining way, one that can make an audience truly interested in your subject, matters for all teachers, tutors, coaches, trainers, etc.

But if you are not sure which skill matter for any given position, you can always bet on listening skills . Because great listening skills will help you in any job (and in your personal life as well).

Summary, next steps

Everyone can boast about their communication skills, or about any other ability. Surely, a good answer to “how would you describe your communication skills?” can help you in an interview. But what matters the most is whether you can backup your claims with your behavior and reactions .

Try to listen carefully to each question of your interviewers. Do not interrupt them in the middle of the sentence. Keep an eye contact, and try to talk to the point. Avoid technical language or urban language or any other expressions your interviewers may not understand. And do not forget on your tone of voice–there should be some energy, some excitement .

Once you manage to do these things in an interview, they won’t have a reason to doubt your excellent communication skills . That should be your goal at the end.

Continue your interview preparation with other tough questions :

• What is your communication style?
• Communication skills interview questions.
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Personal Statement

29th December 2023

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Writing a personal statement is a crucial step in your university application process. This concise piece of writing allows you to showcase your personality, achievements, and aspirations, helping you stand out from the crowd. However, it’s easy to fall into common pitfalls. In this article, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of writing a personal statement to ensure yours makes a lasting impression.

The Do’s

Start early and plan ahead.

One of the most common mistakes applicants make is leaving their personal statement until the last minute. Starting early allows you to carefully plan and draft your statement, giving you ample time for revisions. Planning ahead also enables you to gather your thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and tailor your statement to the specific requirements of the institution or position you’re applying to.

Be Authentic and Reflective

Authenticity is key when writing a personal statement. Be true to yourself and reflect on your experiences, values, and aspirations. Share personal anecdotes that shaped your journey and made you the person you are today. Admissions committees appreciate genuine narratives that showcase your uniqueness.

Tailor Your Statement to the Specific Application

Avoid using a generic personal statement for multiple applications. Tailor each statement to the specific requirements of the institution or job you’re applying to. Highlight how your skills, experiences, and goals align with what the institution or employer is seeking. Show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Focus on Your Achievements and Skills

Highlight your accomplishments and skills throughout your personal statement. Provide specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated leadership, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, or other relevant qualities. Quantify your achievements where possible to add substance to your claims.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of merely stating your qualities, show them through concrete examples. For instance, instead of saying you are a strong leader, narrate a situation where your leadership skills made a significant impact. This approach adds depth to your statement and allows the reader to better understand your capabilities.

The Don’ts

Avoid clichés and generic statements.

Steer clear of clichés and generic statements that don’t add value to your personal statement. Phrases like “I’ve always wanted to help people” or “I have excellent communication skills” lack specificity and fail to make a memorable impression. Instead, provide tangible examples that illustrate these qualities.

Don’t Rely on Templates

While templates can be helpful as a starting point, avoid relying too heavily on them. Your personal statement should be a unique reflection of your experiences and aspirations . Using a template may result in a generic statement that fails to capture your individuality.

Stay Away from Jargon and Overly Technical Language

Unless you’re applying for a course that requires technical language, avoid jargon and overly complex terminology. Your personal statement should be accessible to a wide audience. Use clear and concise language to ensure that your message is easily understood by admissions committees.

Don’t Focus Solely on Weaknesses

While it’s important to address any weaknesses or gaps in your application, avoid dwelling on them. Instead, frame these aspects in a positive light by discussing how you’ve overcome challenges or used them as opportunities for growth. Maintain a positive and forward-looking tone throughout your personal statement.

Steer Clear of Controversial Topics

It’s essential to be authentic in your personal statement, but you should avoid discussing controversial or sensitive topics that may alienate your readers. Keep in mind that personal statements are professional documents, and maintaining a respectful tone is crucial. Focus on your positive attributes and how they align with the goals of the institution or position you’re applying for.

Your Opportunity to Shine

Crafting a compelling personal statement requires time, reflection, and attention to detail. By following these do’s and don’ts, you can create a personal statement that effectively communicates your strengths, experiences, and aspirations. Remember, your personal statement is your opportunity to shine, so make it count.

As you embark on the journey of writing your personal statement, remember that you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Our network of experienced academics is here to provide expert guidance and support, ensuring that your personal statement reflects your true potential. Get in touch today . Whether you’re seeking assistance with structuring your narrative or refining your language, our team is equipped to help you succeed.

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How to write a personal statement for your CV.

A critical aspect of creating an effective CV is writing a personal statement, sometimes called a profile or career summary, that enables the recruiter to quickly identify the strategic value you can add to their organisation. Your CV should be a self-marketing document aimed at persuading the recruiter to interview you – and your personal statement is a critical part of making this happen. Many candidates struggle with writing the statement but it doesn't have to be a difficult as you may think. A well written statement can be between 50 and 200 words, although it is important not to ramble. Remember you always have your cover letter for interesting and engaging information. It's important to read the job specification carefully and ensure not only that your skills and experience match but you reflect this in your statement. I am often asked whether a statement should be written in the first or third person and, while there are no definitive rules about this, my preference is always to write in the first person because the CV is all about you and your skillset. This doesn't mean that you have to add "I" at the beginning of each sentence, however. The reader knows it's about you so avoid this type of repetition and keep them engaged in your value and transferable skills. For example an opening statement without the opening "I" could read: As a highly-motivated and results orientated manager within the luxury hotel sector, I have a proven track record of providing exemplary levels of service to a broad range of guests, including VIPs and high-profile individuals. This example reads naturally and flows for the reader, whereas if an "I" was inserted at the start, while not hugely different, it would read more like a list. As you move forward with additional information it then becomes difficult to break out of the format you have started. As a general rule, it's best to break the statement into three sections: Who you are As recent graduate from Durham University, with a 2:1 honours degree in media communications, I have undertaken several internships within leading organisations such as Bertelsmann and Times Warner. These placements have enabled me to develop not only specific media industry experience, but also a valuable and transferable skill set in this fast-paced sector. The above opening allowes the recruiter to quickly identify where you are coming from, that you have had industry experience (something that may be in the selection criteria) and core transferable skills. This in itself could be enough for your opening statement, but it can be expanded upon by adding some additional information. What you can bring to the table During placement with Bertelsmann, I worked in the media division contributing to projects – such as the award-winning China Max Documentary – and managed my own research, liaised with various divisions, formulated media reports and participated in group project meetings. Utilising excellent communication skills, I developed and maintained successful working relationships with both internal and external staff. Your career aim Looking to secure a position in a media organisation, where I can bring immediate and strategic value and develop current skillset further. An example of a poorly written personal statement Tim is a recent graduate from Durham University with a 2:1 honours degree in media communications. I have undertaken several internships within leading organisations. Tim is now looking to secure a position in a media organisation where I can develop my current skill set. The mismatch of first and third person is not only confusing to the reader, but it almost sounds like a profile about different people. It also lacks specific detail and proof of what value the candidate could bring to the company. Key points on writing a dynamic and interesting personal statement: • Get straight to the point: avoid lengthy descriptions and make your testimonies punchy and informative. • Keep it between 50 to 200 words maximum. • If you have enough space, use 1.5 line spacing to make you statement easier to read. • Match person and job specifications with well written copy. • Read your profile out loud to ensure it reads naturally. • Don't mix first and third person sentences.

Other essential resources • Three excellent cover letter examples • CV templates: graduates, career changers and ladder climbers • What questions to ask at the end of your interview • How to write a CV when you lack direct work experience Elizabeth Bacchus is a consultant and founder of The Successful CV Company.

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Many applications for jobs, college, school or university places, require candidates to submit a personal statement.

For some people, this may be the first time that they have ever had to write anything like this, and it can feel like a daunting prospect.

What should you include? What should you not include? And how do you promote yourself without seeming to boast about your achievements?

This page will help you to navigate these potential pitfalls, and create a personal statement to stand out for all the right reasons.

The Purpose of a Personal Statement

A personal statement has one simple purpose: to promote you.

In other words, it should be designed to make your application stand out for all the right reasons. When they read it, the recipient should be saying:

“Wow! We really want this one to come here!”

You do, however, need to be careful not to exaggerate, as this will quickly become clear at interview, and you will not get the job or place that you want.

Before You Start

Check the requirements carefully

There are likely to be some constraints set on your personal statement. For example, you may be asked to keep what you say within a certain number of words or characters, or cover certain issues. Check these requirements carefully both before you start, and when you think you have finished, and make sure that what you do is consistent with them.

Think about what you want to include

Make a list of the things that you really want the person receiving your personal statement to know about you.

You might, for example, want them to know why you want to attend this college, or study this course, or you might want them to know that you have recently been involved in an activity that has really helped you decide what you want to do with your life. List these things, and then check back when you have finished to make sure that you have included them.

You can add to this list as you go if you think of other things that should be included.

What to include in your Personal Statement

There are no hard and fast rules about what exactly you should include, or indeed, exclude.

It will depend on you, and what you are trying to demonstrate in your personal statement.

However, there are some simple rules that you should follow to decide what to include.

1. Show that you know what you are talking about

When you write a covering letter for a job application , you need to show that you understand the nature of the job. When you write a personal statement, you also need to show that you understand what you are applying for .

If it is a university course, demonstrate that you know about the course or subject, and what studying it will involve. If it is a sixth form, show that you are interested in your potential subjects, and the college or school. If a job, show that you understand something about what you will have to do each day, and that you have knowledge of the company or organisation.

2. Say why you want to study the course or do the job.

You may think this is obvious, but the reader does not know. It is worth explaining what makes you interested in the subject or job. You might, for example, say how you first came across the subject, and what interested you, then what you have done to explore it further.

3. Focus on what makes you unique and suitable, and include evidence

The purpose of a personal statement is to make you stand out from the crowd, for all the right reasons. It therefore needs to focus on what makes you unique, and why the employer/school/college/university should select you over and above all the other candidates.

Your personal statement should, therefore, explain what skills you have, and also why they are relevant to the course or job. Always include evidence to back up your assertions about your skills and, wherever possible, use independent witnesses. For example, instead of saying:

‘I have really good communication skills’

You should be saying:

‘I have really good communication skills, honed by a year spent as secretary to the Sixth Form committee and running an events group. Teachers commented that the notes of meetings and messages to others were particularly clear’.

You can include information from all areas of your life: work, home, school, extra studies, and so on, but do make sure it is part of explaining how you are suitable.

4. Make sure that everything you include is relevant

Focus on what you really need to get across, and make sure that is fully covered. Check that everything that you have said is relevant to the task in hand. This may well mean cutting down some of the explanations of what you were doing when you developed that particular skill, but that is better than excluding details of another relevant skill.

Deciding on the Structure of Your Personal Statement

You may be given guidelines on structure. If so, follow them.

If not, it is a good idea to decide on a structure before you start, and stick to it. Rather like an essay, a good broad outline is something like:

• An opening paragraph to explain why you want to attend that school/college/university, and why you want to study that course, or why you think you would be perfect for the job.
• A middle section , which provides all the evidence to back up your opening paragraph, broken down into some sensible order.
• A conclusion , which sums up your statement, and reminds the reader of your perfect fit for the course or job.

Some style rules to follow

Avoid clichés and jargon

A cliché is a word or phrase that is overused in writing. For a personal statement, it might include comments like:

“I have always wanted to be a lawyer”

“I just want to help people, and that’s why I want to study medicine”

Instead, try to use your own words. Read them out loud, and make sure that you don’t sound like a character in a bad soap opera. There is more about this on our page: Clichés to Avoid .

Draft, draft, and draft again

You will not get it right first time, or possibly even the second. Keep drafting and tweaking until you are sure it is as clear as possible, and says everything that you need. Be prepared to have at least two or three drafts before you are satisfied, and make sure you leave enough time for this before your deadline.

Use plain English and keep it simple

Plain English is always better than using complicated language. Keep it simple, and keep your sentences short. As a rule of thumb, sentences should not be much longer than one line. It is also a good idea to avoid sub-clauses, as these can over-complicate your text.

Reduce, reduce and reduce some more, until you are absolutely certain that you have used no more words than necessary, and the simplest words possible.

If you are not sure about this, have a look at our page on Plain English .

Reading something out loud is a very good way to make sure it is easy to read. If you find you are getting lost in your own sentences, you will need to shorten them, and make them simpler.

When you have finished…

Read it over carefully for any errors or inconsistencies

When you think you have finished, read your personal statement over carefully, and check for spelling and grammatical errors. The spelling and grammar checks in word processing packages are not fully reliable, but they will be a good starting point.

Ask someone else to check it over for you

It is a good idea to ask someone else to read your personal statement over for you as they may spot errors that you have missed, and also bits that are not as clear as they could be.

Check that you have included everything that was on your initial list of ideas

Go back to your initial list of ideas, and make sure that you have included everything.

And finally…

…remember that every personal statement is unique.

It is no good copying someone else’s, or using the same one for several different applications. Of course you will be able to reuse elements of previous versions, especially if you are, for example, applying to several different schools at the same time, or for several jobs. But it needs to be tailored: specific to both you and the situation.

Continue to: Graduate Employability Skills Writing a CV or Resume

See also: Personal Empowerment How to Write a Report 6 Great Skills to Demonstrate in Your University Application

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Communication

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or college course. After all, personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Communication clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Studying Master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“The power and value attached to the tools and processes of mass communication are incredible, to the extent that the exchange of ideas through digital media fills our lives. Contemporary social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook spread information and knowledge that affects everyone, impacting our unconscious thoughts and behaviours. 

As a graduate student of Communication, I aim to examine the strategies used in digital communications and understand how meaning is absorbed and actioned. I aim to continually acquire new skills, broaden my knowledge and meet new challenges. This philosophy motivates my decision to pursue a graduate degree in Communication and increase my competitive and professional edge.”

Commentary and Analysis 

The start of this personal statement is positive and immediately connects with the content and nature of the course, which is ideal. The writer also offers some opinion, although it’s uninformed and lacks a specific reference or source.

By writing “As a graduate student of Communication”, the applicant links themselves with the course in the reader’s mind. That’s a sophisticated approach that works well. There’s a general justification for the degree, but with no specific detail about a career plan or particular aspect of the course that would be of value.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“Studying Management as an undergraduate, I understood how vital internal and external communication is to a business. Keen to develop this knowledge further, I intend to learn more about persuading an audience to receive messages and act accordingly. My academic management experience will be of direct value to courses such as Marketing, Ethical Business, HR Management and Labour Relations because it’s essential to understand an organisation’s context when formulating communication strategies. 

The undergraduate curriculum offered me numerous individual and group work opportunities, and these improved my academic writing, critical thinking and collaborative skills. Responsible for coordinating the division of work within a group, I established each member’s skills and allocated roles, allowing us to complete assignments successfully. Consequently, I learned to embrace the diversity of team members’ views and realised the importance of two-way communication and active listening. 

To add to my academic preparedness for this graduate course, I also completed two online courses in Communication on Coursera. This added to my in-depth knowledge of this challenging discipline and reconfirmed my desire to study this subject.”

Commentary and Analysis

This section outlining the writer’s academic background begins well. They have connected their undergraduate studies in Management with the focus of the master’s course, linking their experience with the course content. They’ve also referenced several of the modules in the postgraduate course, deepening their connection and showing the reader that they understand the course content.

They’ve also mentioned the opportunities for collaborative work gained as an undergraduate and implied that it would be of value to the postgraduate course. However, little detail shows the reader precisely what the quality or learning outcomes of these experiences were or what the writer gained in the way of tangible skills. It doesn’t connect the group work with specific elements of the master’s course, which is a missed opportunity.

Adding that additional skills were gained by taking extra courses shows a reasonable degree of independent learning and ambition. Again, it would be more effective to directly link the learning outcomes of the online courses with specific aspects of the master’s course, to strengthen the sense of connection and suitability.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“As a promotions assistant for a clothing studio, I run the official WeChat account. Having completed online courses in photo editing, I publish push articles on the official account, introducing product brand stories. One of our new lines was rooted in the goal of racial equality and used continental plate imagery as a concept, which I found very impressive. The brand hopes to call for racial equality through fashion, and I worked hard to plan a social campaign linking critical aspects of racial discrimination with potential cultural solutions. 

However, when I received the final details for content writing, I realised the design did not cover every country or follow the world map. I felt that this was a serious issue, so after communicating with the design team and the supervisor, I decided to add “only part of the plate shapes are captured, including design factors and non-political stance issues” as a statement in the post, helping the brand avoid potentially negative political responses and generating new interest and understanding in the audience.”

The first paragraph outlining the writer’s practical experience gives their application a sense of context, which is valuable. There’s a clear sense of professional connection with the course and a degree of subject-specific vocabulary, which is a positive. It’s very descriptive, however, outlining what was done but not what was learned or how it relates to the demands of the master’s degree, which should also be included.

The second paragraph shows motivation, clarity of vision, an understanding of professional communication strategies and some ethical integrity. It then needs additional content related to the course the writer is applying to, or the full value of this experience is lost.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“During my experience assisting a fashion live-streamer, I witnessed the power of communication in live-streaming commerce. The live-streamer posts videos and pictures on social media platforms such as TikTok, while other viewers comment with feedback. After these communications, they build a relationship with that creator, become her followers and recognise her as an influencer. 

When the creator live-streams related products, they are more likely to reach an agreement with her and tend to view the products she recommends as in line with their own standards. She has learned how to engage, lead and compel an audience and, subsequently, how to capitalise on that process, which is reflective of the kind of power and profitability that an in-depth knowledge of contemporary communication strategies brings. 

In summarising and feeding back follower engagement, I improved my ability to extract meaningful information from qualitative data. Additionally, communicating with customers and offering them solutions enhanced my capacity for empathy, which is a highly effective communication tool.”

Commentary and Analysis: 

This section of the writer’s personal statement shows they have experience with contemporary social media marketing strategies, illustrating a sound knowledge base.  There’s a substantial range of relevant vocabulary in use and a sense that the writer is aware of the knowledge they want to improve on as a graduate student.

The content is mainly descriptive of the writer’s experience. While aspects such as qualitative data analysis are valuable, there’s minimal discussion of why this experience or knowledge is relevant to specific parts of the course they are applying for.

The writer hasn’t clarified why empathy will be a valuable skill in the course or how the course will help them meet a specific goal in relation to this content.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“PLFU is an internationally renowned and culturally diverse university offering excellent teaching resources and high-profile, influential faculty staff. This, combined with a professionally and culturally diverse set of peers, provides an academically stimulating environment to draw on my experiences and gain new skills and networks. Providing students with the opportunity to apply for mentorship and internships at some of the top communication businesses in the field is another factor behind my application, as this will enable me to put prior learning into practice in real-world contexts. Additionally, studying Communication will help me strengthen my professional capabilities and increase my work prospects in the media, public relations and advertising fields, in which graduate-level data collection and analysis skills are vital.

A skilled PR role necessitates formulating communication strategies and building and maintaining strong relationships with major media. These skills can be acquired through PLFU’s rich curriculum, which includes courses on Audience Analysis, Crisis Management and Public Relations Campaigns and Cases. I look forward to developing my understanding of communication strategies and building professional skills within your respected faculty.”

This conclusion starts well. There’s a clear and concise rationale for why the candidate is keen to study this course and a sense that they have researched the faculty more broadly. The writer has also connected the value of the course to their career goals, linking to specific modules, which is an excellent strategy. 

No particular faculty members or teaching staff have been identified, and there’s no sense of wanting to participate in ongoing research projects or working with specific professors. That’s important for a postgraduate application, so don’t omit it. There’s no tangible explanation of how this candidate plans to contribute to the broader life of the university or how they will add value to the faculty. 

Overall, this personal statement clearly connects with the subject and gives the reader confidence that the writer is articulate and has researched the course. 

However, a deeper sense of the value of those experiences and a greater connection to specific elements of the course would strengthen it, as would more informed reasons for wanting to study this particular course. Including specific and relevant career aims and outlining a greater sense of the qualities they would bring to the faculty would also strengthen this application.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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