12 Ways to Describe Communication Skills on Your Resume

Good options include “Clear written communication”, “Clear verbal communication”, “Active listening.” The best choice depends on a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill.

Best Resume Terms by Communication Type

  • Clear written communication
  • Clear verbal communication
  • Active listening
  • Presentation skills
  • Public speaking
  • Professional writing
  • Client communication
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Persuasive communication
  • Cross-functional communication
  • Conflict resolution

Clear written communication

“Clear written communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Clear written communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Clear verbal communication

“Clear verbal communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Clear verbal communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Active listening

“Active listening” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Active listening: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Presentation skills

“Presentation skills” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Presentation skills: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Public speaking

“Public speaking” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Public speaking: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Professional writing

“Professional writing” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Professional writing: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Client communication

“Client communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Client communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Stakeholder communication

“Stakeholder communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Stakeholder communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Interpersonal communication

“Interpersonal communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Interpersonal communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Persuasive communication

“Persuasive communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Persuasive communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Cross-functional communication

“Cross-functional communication” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Cross-functional communication: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Conflict resolution

“Conflict resolution” works when it accurately reflects your experience and helps specify a specific communication ability rather than a vague umbrella skill. Use it only if the wording matches what you actually did.

Example: Conflict resolution: delivered concise updates to colleagues and external partners.

Choose the Most Accurate Wording for “Communication Skills on Your Resume”

Whenever possible, pair the skill with evidence: what you communicated, to whom, and what happened as a result.