Lucas Alven, Staff writer

When I started my college studies in communication, I was convinced that the only relevant skill I would get out of it is knowing how to operate a camera. I was very wrong about this. There was a lot about my field that I needed to learn.

This may surprise you, but communication is not some easy major designed to pass students. The classes teach valuable skills that apply to every profession.

If you are looking for an advantage over the competition during your job hunt, communication skills make for a great addition. Here are my four surefire communication skills that employers will love to see on your resume.

1. Know your audience

Before I communicate anything, the first thing I like to do is think, “Who is my audience, what am I trying to say and how can I best convey my message to them?” From there, I fill in the blanks and communicate what I think is best.

Some of you might read this and think, “This is common sense!” However, many people overlook this important detail. Communicating with specific messages allows people to better understand what is said and how they should respond.

For example: You ask your boss for a raise. In this case, you would not just walk into the boss’s office and ask for a raise. Instead, you would respectfully set up a meeting where you would explain how you are deserving of a raise for the extra hours you spent in the office this year.

2. Know your communication skills

No, you do not have stress and become a perfectionist about every little thing you say. However, it is important to remember that everything is communication.

From the clothes you wear, to making hand gestures, everything communicates something. By understanding this idea, you can apply it to various workforce situations.

For example: You have to give a presentation to a large audience. To leave a good impression, you can choose a less distracting outfit to wear and present yourself with confident body language by using non-verbal hand gestures.

3. Know your team

I am not a huge fan of working on group projects, but they are an essential part of the workforce. Knowing how to work in group settings will allow you to successfully collaborate with your co-workers on projects. Effective group communication can be done by giving people the opportunity to share their ideas and criticisms to improve the work.

The most successful projects I have worked on were the ones where communication was open and ongoing, which is not surprising considering that there is a strong correlation between open workplace communication and better results from employees.

For example: You have a large project due in a month. While everyone is likely working on separate sections of the project, it is still important to come together for feedback. Doing this prevents issues from occurring, promotes new ideas and builds connection among a group.

4. Know the importance of listening

Again, some of you might read this and think, “This is common sense!” However, to the surprise of many, there is a huge difference between hearing and listening.

Active listening is when you fully focus on the person communicating, showing them that you fully understand what they are saying. Applying this skill to your career shows employers that you understand and care about the message that they are conveying.

For example: Your manager is assigning you a project to do. In this case, you could listen to your manager on and off, making sure you hear the essential parts that relate to what you have to do. However, it is better if you fully listen, nod your head and ask questions for clarity to make sure your manager knows that you understand.

Know what to do next?

Now that you know these skills, why not learn even more valuable communication skills? La Salle University’s Communication Department offers classes that blend the foundations of communication with concentrations that are relevant to your field.

Will you add any of these skills to your professional toolbelt? Are there any more skills that I forgot to mention? Let me know below in the comments!