If you’re a good communicator, you need to include that in your resume. It’s a surefire way to encourage an employer to hire you, especially for a team-based role.
Therefore, “communication skills” are great to include in your CV.
But it’s worth mentioning that there are other synonyms. This article has gathered some options to show you how to say “communication skills” on a resume.
Is “Communication Skills” a Good Resume Word?
“Communication skills” is a good resume word. It is important to include when applying for team-based roles or customer-facing jobs.
It’s also a great characteristic to bring with you to any job role. The more effective you are at communicating, the better you will look to employers.
Generally, we consider “communication skills” to be soft skills. They’re a type of skill that show how you interact with others rather than something you learn in a course.
This example will help you understand it better:
My excellent verbal and written communication skills help me to cooperate better with clients.
Pros
- It’s an effective buzzword in resumes.
- It’s formal and recognizable as a great option for team-based roles.
Cons
- It’s overused.
- It doesn’t necessarily explain what type of communication skills you have.
“Communication skills” is a great phrase to include in your resume. It’s worth exploring some synonyms to show you how to say you are good at communicating, though.
Keep reading to learn what to write instead of “communication skills” on your resume. We’ve also provided examples to help you with each alternative.
What to Say Instead of “Communication Skills” on a Resume
- Interpersonal skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Effective dialogue
- Articulate
- Expressive
- Collaborative
- Persuasive
- Clear and concise expression
- Engaging interaction
- Influential
1. Interpersonal Skills
A good formal synonym for “communication skills” is “interpersonal skills.” The phrase is just as effective (if not more so) than “communication skills.”
After all, not many people use “interpersonal skills” in their cover letters. Interpersonal skills show you listen and engage with others.
It’s great to use it as a synonym that explores your teamwork or leadership skills. As long as you work well with others, this is going to work well in your CV.
You should also review the following resume samples:
I have excellent interpersonal skills. I’m willing to listen to others’ problems to help them solve their situations.
My interpersonal skills are second-to-none. I’ll happily step in to listen when people need me in the workplace.
2. Written and Verbal Communication
Sometimes, it’s best to be as direct and transparent as possible. That leaves nothing up for interpretation when it comes to a recruiter reviewing your application.
That’s where “written and verbal communication” comes in. It’s direct and obvious, making it a suitable pick in formal writing to show you work well with others.
If you write and speak well, it implies you have good communication skills. It’s great to explain this in a resume, especially if you are applying for a customer-focused job.
Here are a few examples to help you understand it better:
I’m an expert in written and verbal communication. I’m very proud of what I’ve done to achieve this.
My written and verbal communication is very impressive. I’d like to discuss it with you more when we get to the interview.
3. Effective Dialogue
You should try “effective dialogue” as another way to say “communication skills” on your resume. It’s an incredibly useful alternative that shows you listen and talk well.
Generally, creating an effective dialogue implies people trust you to hear them out. It’s a great choice if you’re reliable and willing to listen.
As with the other options, this is a great way to explain positive communication skills. There’s nothing wrong with trying to brag a little about how well you talk to others.
You can also check out these CV samples if you need more help:
I provide effective dialogue as a trainer. My clients rely on me to teach them in the simplest way.
I’m proud to give effective dialogue during meetings. Partners and clients seem to prefer my method of engaging with them.
4. Articulate
We want to simplify things a little bit. It’s worth exploring some one-word alternatives that’ll help you keep things more uniform and concise.
“Articulate” is another synonym for “communication skills.” It’s a great one that sounds professional and clear.
We recommend using it to show that you’re good with words. It also translates well to speaking and listening. It implies that you communicate with others and learn what they need.
The following examples will also clear things up:
I like to articulate to help meetings stay on point. It’s a great way to communicate your ideas without being over the top.
I articulate because I’ve practiced good communication skills. I’m very proud of what I can get out of my clients.
5. Expressive
Expressive people tend to have the easiest time getting along with others. That’s why “expressive” belongs on this list.
You can say you’re “expressive” if you communicate easily and effectively. It’s a helpful choice that shows you’re good at what you do and know how to get in people’s good books.
Of course, good communication skills are vital in the workplace. Therefore, being expressive will allow you to showcase your abilities with clients, customers, and coworkers alike.
Check out these resume samples to learn more about this alternative:
As a nursing student, I have to be expressive. I like to show as much care and attention to my patients as possible.
I’m expressive and willing to listen. It helps to be a good communicator when you do what I do.
6. Collaborative
Another great one-word synonym for “communication skills” is “collaborative.” It shows that you work well on a team.
Of course, to work on a team, you need to communicate effectively. That’s why “collaborative” is such a great choice here.
It’s still formal and effective, but it shows you’re willing to work with people. It applies both inside and outside the workplace (i.e., coworkers inside and clients outside).
If you’re still unsure, review the following examples:
I’m collaborative, which helps me to reach out to others. It’s a great way to build long-lasting working relationships.
I’m a collaborative communicator. I always listen to other people’s views to help me decide on mine.
7. Persuasive
If you have an easy time persuading people to agree with you, it’s likely you’re a good communicator. Therefore, “persuasive” is a great term to use.
“Persuasive” is another synonym for “communication skills.” It shows you have a way with words and know what to say to get people to hear you out.
We highly recommend including it to impress an employer. It’s a surefire way to let them know you mean business and plan to encourage people to listen to you.
You can even refer to these examples if you need more help:
Teaching requires me to be persuasive. So, I have learned over time to pick up communication skills that others lack.
I’m a great communicator because I’m persuasive. I’ll happily showcase this when you invite me to an interview.
8. Clear and Concise Expression
Speaking clearly helps people to understand what you want. The clearer you are, the easier people will find it to converse with you.
That’s why “clear and concise expression” works well. It shows you’re willing to communicate openly to explore your options.
If you find it easy to keep people engaged, you can use this phrase. It shows you’re happy to work alongside others, especially if you tend to take a more leadership-heavy role.
Here are some great examples to help you with it:
I appreciate clear and concise expression, which is why I practice it. It’s the easiest way to convey my points.
As a customer service representative, I have a clear and concise expression. I’m very proud of my communicative abilities.
9. Engaging Interaction
Feel free to say “engaging interaction” instead of “communication skills.” It’s a great formal alternative that shows you’re good when talking to others.
If you find that people engage with you easily, it means you’re a good communicator. This lets you establish your plans or ideas and let people listen to your thoughts.
It’s also effective in your CV. It shows you’re willing to work hard when communicating with others. It’s especially helpful if applying to a team-based role.
Also, check out these cover letter samples:
I like my sales calls to be part of my engaging interaction. I value my positive communication skills above all else.
It’s important to have engaging interactions with clients. That way, you can find out what they really want from you.
10. Influential
Finally, we wanted to touch on a one-word alternative. We’ve been through a few, but “influential” works well in itself.
Also, “influential” is a great way to sell yourself on a resume. It’s a potent word that suggests you know how to convince people.
If you’re influential, it implies you have good communication and leadership skills. Both of these will make you look great in front of a recruiter.
Here are some CV samples to help you:
I’m an influential and commanding manager. That’s why I know I can get people to listen to me when things get tricky.
Being influential helps me to be an effective communicator. It’s why people rely on me to help them during tough times.