How to list your communication skills on a resume

Effective communication is essential to anyone applying for a job in Malaysia. As more and more people enter the workforce, with an estimated 16.25 million people in the Malaysian workforce, it's crucial to learn some ways to differentiate yourself from others.  

Communication is essential when working with others to show exemplary leadership. 

You may highlight your resume communication skills by telling employers about your speaking, listening, and writing abilities. In this guide, we offer tips on how to show your communication skills in your resume. This will help you get the job you want.  

Here's what we'll cover:

• What are communication skills?
• Why should you include communication skills in your resume?
• How to show communication skills in a resume?
• Communication skills to include in your resume
• Communication skills resume phrases
• Communication skills in a resume example
• Wrapping up
• FAQs 

What are communication skills? 

Good communication means sharing information and ideas with others clearly and effectively. In Malaysia, it also means knowing how to interpret indirect communication. This includes undeclared refusals. This skill could greatly improve relationships. This is important. It helps you work better with your colleagues, bosses, and clients. 

You may wonder why communication skills are so critical. You may collaborate more easily. You can cooperate better and fix problems faster when you communicate well. 

Written and verbal communication are soft skills. You don't need technical knowledge or expertise to use them. You could also develop good communication skills by interacting and building relationships. 

Why should you include communication skills in your resume? 

Showing your strong communication skills on your resume will help employers. It will help them understand your strengths. Listing your communication skills shows you can talk to and listen to people. It also shows you can work well with them. These abilities are essential for many jobs. 

Practical communication skills will set you apart from other job seekers in Malaysia, where many graduates have difficulty communicating effectively. Employers like to hire people who can work well with others and talk to customers. Good communicators will show they can work as part of a team and handle customer problems well. 

Your resume shows you can handle different situations. They also show your ability to solve problems and give confident presentations. A great list of communication skills will show employers that you're happy to talk to people. It will also show that you're a great fit for their team. 

How to show communication skills in a resume? 

Giving examples of when you use your speaking and writing skills is essential. For example, you could talk about a time when you gave a good presentation or worked well with others. 

 This shows employers that you're good at verbal and written communication. Follow these tips. They will help you highlight your skills in talking to others. Use them when applying for a job in Malaysia: 

Think about what you're good at 

Think of times when you confidently talked to people. Or wrote something that others commended. Reflect on what you did that made it a success. 

Choose the most critical things 

Pick three to five communication skills that show you're good at speaking and writing. Look at the job posting to see what the employer wants. They want someone who can talk to customers well. You can use this in your example by showing your verbal skills. 

Explain why it matters 

When you write your resume, highlight your interpersonal communication skills. Explain why they're essential for the job.  

For example, if you want to work in customer service, you could mention that you listen well. You could also mention that you're good at solving problems. This shows that you have the abilities the employer is looking for. 

Communication skills to include in your resume 

Include your most relevant communication skills in your resume. Remember to use examples that demonstrate communication skills. Change your skills section to match the job you want.  

Here are some essential communication skills:

• Writing: Show that you can explain things in writing. You do this by writing reports, emails, or presentations. This shows that you can communicate your ideas. Government roles require you to be fluent in writing in Malay and English.
• Speaking: Show that you can talk about things with confidence. This is important for collaborating, giving presentations, and interacting with people. It’s important to be able to speak at least two languages, Malay and English, fluently.
• People skills: People skills are the ability to make friends and relate to others. They involve building good relationships. This shows you can work well with others. Even if you don't share their background.
• Empathy: Show that you are willing to put yourself in other people's shoes. This is important for understanding your co-workers, resolving problems, and communicating well.
• Presentations: Show that you give effective presentations. This shows that you are adept at organising information and explaining it.
• Persuasion: Show that you are good at convincing people to do things. This is important for jobs in sales that use negotiations or speeches. 

Also, highlight skills include interpersonal communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and English. These are skills lacking in many entering the workforce in Malaysia. 

Communication skills resume phrases 

Explain how your practical communication skills helped achieve specific goals or outcomes. Mention achievements. Also, mention feedback or other results. They show how you used your professional communication skills.  

Keep in mind the following phrases when writing your resume. They will highlight your communication skills: 

Sharing information and ideas through speaking or writing

• "Used effective writing skills in creating short reports and emails."
• "Used strong speaking skills to present ideas and suggestions in team meetings." 

Negotiating or discussing business to show effective communication in a professional environment

• "Discussed and agreed on contracts with clients, demonstrating strong communication and persuasive skills."
• "Led business discussions, communicated goals, and found solutions that worked for everyone." 

Explaining how you work with others, motivate them, and finish projects

• “I worked with a team of people with different skills. I communicated project goals and ensured everyone did their part on time."
• “I encouraged team members. I talked openly. I created a positive work environment to reach project goals." 

Communication skills in a resume example 

Here's an example resume that showcases communication skills: 

John Tan 

12 Jalan Hujan Emas 4, Taman OUG | Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, 58200| (016) 845-4482| [email protected] 

Objective: 

Results-driven marketing professional with strong communication skills seeking a challenging role in digital marketing. 

Education: 

Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Hons) 

HELP University, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 

Experience: 

Digital Marketing Specialist | ABC Company | Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan | 2018–Present

• Developed and executed digital marketing campaigns, communicated brand messaging, and generated leads.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent verbal communication across various channels, resulting in a 20% increase in website traffic. 

Marketing Intern | Adverts Agency | Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan | 2017– 2018

• Assisted in creating social media content and communicated brand identity, increasing follower engagement by 25%.
• Conducted market research by collecting and analysing customer feedback to inform targeted marketing strategies. 

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills shown through crafting compelling marketing copy and delivering impactful presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Digital communication skills, including tools and platforms, social media management, and email marketing software. 

Achievements:

• Awarded “Outstanding Team Player” for communicating project objectives, coordinating team efforts, and achieving successful campaign results.
• Presented at industry conferences on innovative digital marketing strategies, showcasing informative and persuasive speaking abilities. 

Languages: 

Fluent in English and Malay 

Professional Memberships: 

• Member, Institute of Marketing Malaysia
• Member, Digital Marketing Association Malaysia 

Wrapping up 

Good communication skills are essential in any Malaysian workplace. You need to write and speak well and be confident talking to people. Communication skills include kindness and understanding, giving confident presentations, and being persuasive. When applying for a job, mention on your resume that you have good spoken and written communication skills. This shows that you can talk to people and work well with others. 

When you write your resume, include your best communication skills. Give examples to highlight them. This will help you land the job. Malaysian employers want people who can communicate effectively at work. 

FAQs 

1. How do you say good communication skills on a resume? 
   ⁠You may have a separate section for your written and verbal communication skills in your resume. You can also mention them in your work experience descriptions. It's best to give specific examples of using body language, speaking, writing, and getting along with others. 
   ⁠
2. How would you describe your written communication skills? 
   ⁠To describe your writing skills, you could say, “I'm good at writing clearly and concisely.” or “I can get my point across well in writing. 
   ⁠
3. Can I list my communication skills in a separate section on my resume? 
   ⁠​​Yes, you can have a separate section in your resume for your communication skills. You could title it “Communication Skills” or “Professional Skills.” You can use this section to list your verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 
   ⁠
4. Are communication skills more important than technical skills in my resume? 
   ⁠Both technical skills and communication skills are essential in a resume. Technical skills show that you're knowledgeable in specific areas. Interpersonal skills show that you can communicate effectively and work well with others. A balance of both on your resume is ideal. 
   ⁠
5. Should I include communication skills in a cover letter as well? 
   ⁠Yes, mentioning your communication skills in your cover letter is a good idea. You could discuss your relevant skills and explain how you've used them. 
   ⁠
6. How can I improve my communication skills for my resume? 
   ⁠Your skills include verbal and nonverbal communication. Try practising your active listening skills and working on your writing. You can also get constructive feedback on how you communicate. 
   ⁠Participate in public speaking or presentation workshops. Work on projects with others and take part in discussions. You could also read books or take communication courses to help you improve.