Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

Sample Behaviors

• Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities
• Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills
• Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand
• Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences
• Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others
• Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks

Develop

Over the course of your educational experience at TU, you can gain communication skills through some of the following methods:

• Join a student club or organization
• Write for The Towerlight
• Create a LinkedIn profile
• Learn how to write resumes and cover letters and revisit documents often to update and customize
• Develop networking and interviewing skills
• Use the Writing Center for assistance in writing academic papers
• Actively participate in classroom discussions and debates
• Find part-time or full-time work opportunities through Handshake
• Consider adding a communication studies minor
• Enroll in elective communication courses
• Attend networking events and campus career fairs (visit Handshake for a list)
• Complete internships and other experiential learning opportunities (schedule an appointment with the Career Center)
• Continue visiting the Writing Center
• Use Big Interview for practice
• Conduct career conversations
• Explore and obtain on-campus jobs via Handshake which involve public speaking, such as Orientation Leaders with New Student and Family Programs
• Participate in employer information sessions
• Attend industry-specific conferences and professional development events
• Participate in experiential education (Internships, Study Abroad & Away Office and/or Service-Learning)
• Complete a mock interview (Schedule an appointment through Handshake)

Develop your skills

LinkedIn Learning

Develop your communication skills by completing these free LinkedIn Learning courses. Select the course title below, click “Sign in,” and use your TU email to get started.

• How to Resolve Conflict and Boost Productivity through Deep Listening
• Building Better Relationships through Listening and Validation
• Writing Emails People Want to Read
• Grammar Foundations
• Practical Influencing Techniques
• Key Psychological Principles for Ethical Persuasion
• Influence versus Manipulation: The Ethics of Persuasion
• The Manager's Guide to Difficult Conversations
• The Key to Good Communication: Your Audience
• Preparing for Successful Communication

Articulate

Use the following list of action verbs to describe activities related to communication skills:

• Articulate; author; communicate; correspond; deliver; develop; draft; edit; engage; explain; facilitate; inform; interpret; listen; persuade; present; promote; publicize; report; sell; speak; translate; write

Sample Resume Bullet Points

• Drafted and maintained budget through the Student Government Association
• Developed and participated in a group presentation detailing the relationship between politics and power among South American nations
• Communicated with current and potential clients in Spanish to address any problems
• Presented “Title of Research Presentation” at summer symposium to peers and faculty
• Edited poetry and photography for inclusion in Poet’s Corner and In Focus

For additional resume assistance, visit the Career Center's Resumes page or schedule an Appointment.

Interview Questions

Be prepared to answer common communication interview questions including:

• Describe a time when you effectively communicated something difficult to a supervisor.
• Tell me about a time when you did not communicate well. What did you learn from the situation and how did you correct it?
• Tell me about a time when you had to “sell” an idea to your peers or co-workers. How did you do it, and did they “buy” it?
• Describe a time when you kept other individuals informed about projects or things that impacted their job or role.
• Describe the most effective written document, report, or presentation you completed. What made it effective and why are your particularly proud of it?