Importance of Communication Skills

In our previous blog, we came across Ramana Rao who came from a lower middle class family, with excellent record in academics. Even with his excellent academic record he was not selected in the interview. The question posed by him made me to think a loud. “Can’t my academic record help me in squiring a job?” 

I started wondering about the importance of communication skills in general, and also in landing a job.

I explained to him how, in the interview, he was struggling to express himself in English to my other colleagues (who did not understand Telugu) on the interview panel. The scenario would be the same even after joining an organization – he would be required to communicate with several people who might be from diverse backgrounds.

The mobility of the workforce has increased very significantly, wherein people from one region are traveling across to take up jobs in another region. There is no guarantee that your bosses and colleagues will be from the same region, speaking same language. Also, with increased interface with global offices and customers, it is inevitable to speak in English.

Despite the best of technical knowledge, if one is not able to communicate and express own thoughts or views, it will surely be a stumbling block for career growth.  Lack of English knowledge is surely one of the issues. However, even with English knowledge, one may struggle in other aspects of communication such as lack of precision, temperament, articulation, sensitivity, and spontaneity. It may be in written form, oral or non-verbal.

In our upcoming blog, let us discuss importance of communication skills in building self confidence and ways to develop communication skills.

Article – “Communication: The X Factor”
By: Dr.Raj, 
Published in HR Mirror, Hans India.
Follow Dr.Raj on Twitter @drraj29