Communication means transferring information, either verbally or non-verbally, from one individual to another to foster a deeper understanding of the shared information. We have the capability to talk and exchange words or information from an early age, however, effective communication is a skill that needs to be acquired and improved throughout our lifetime. Good communication skills are one of the crucial skills that employers are looking for in an ideal and suitable candidate. For any small or big role, you undertake in any industry, effective communication is considered a skill of utmost importance that a person must possess.
Effective communication skills are extremely important for freshers looking for employment. Freshers do not have any work experience to prove that they are the right fit for the job. For them, wowing the hiring manager with their comprehensive and clear style of communication is the best approach to impress them and distinguish themselves from other job applicants. In order to socialize, create a network, and build a great rapport with people inside and outside their workplace, freshers need to have a certain degree of sophistication and impactful yet incomplex communication abilities. Effective communication skills do not necessarily mean conversing using complicated words but to be able to express oneself clearly and aptly. Possessing poor communication skills can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Importance of Communication Skills for Freshers
1. Possessing effective communication skills improves the body language of freshers. During the time of their interview, the hiring manager is not only focusing on the words that the fresher speaks but also observes their body language. For instance, a fresher candidate must be direct and confident when talking about their achievements; their verbal and non-verbal (body language) communication should be in sync, and only then will they be able to leave a positive impression on the hiring manager. Therefore, while talking confidently about her accomplishments, the fresher must sit with their back straight and maintain eye contact.
2. Communication skills are not always about conversing or sharing information back and forth. Sometimes to create an open line of communication, one must learn the art of listening. One essential lesson the fresher must learn is that communication is a two-way street. For communication to flow smoothly and effectively, they will need to keep quiet at times and pay close attention to what others are saying and also understand their point of view. This consequently makes them more understanding and empathetic towards other people they meet in their workplace and outside of work. When they focus on what others are speaking, others will do the same which makes it easier for the communication to move forward efficiently.
3. In continuation with the above point, attentively listening to others, respecting what they have to say, and acknowledging it is a vital aspect of communication. When freshers are respectful and appreciative of their colleagues’ or superiors’ words and suggestions, it leads to a more open and honest conversation which aids in building strong relationships at work and further improves the flow of communication throughout their employment journey at that particular firm.
4. A fresher who is confident while conversing with other people within the workplace will most probably have the ability and willingness to ask questions without any sort of reservations or hesitation. This is a crucial communication skill. Freshers should develop their communication skills to boost their confidence and be able to pose questions related to their work, say, the project they are working on for which he/she require some clarity.
5. A majority of freshers nowadays are enthusiasts, creative, as well as innovative. With the help of proper and impactful communication abilities, they can put across their unique notions and persuade others as well. Companies must encourage an open platform for employees to share their ideas.
6. Good communication skills are important for instilling and improving interpersonal skills and forming deeper connections with the people around us. Possessing proper communication skills helps freshers to understand their audience and the relationship they share with those individuals which further helps them to converse with these people accordingly in a correct, appropriate and dignified manner. For example, a fresher would not speak to her superior in the same way she talks with her best friend. Even if her superior happens to be her close friend, owing to their work relationship, she would not address the superior in a manner she would normally do outside of work.
7. Having good communication skills is quite helpful when experiencing a difference of opinion with a co-worker at the workplace. In such situations where a person, especially a fresher employee, disagrees with something their co-worker said, he must initially sympathize and acknowledge the co-worker’s ideas and opinions instead of resorting to disrespectful words. Once the co-worker has presented his viewpoint, the fresher can put forward his point of view and provide reasons for how and why he personally thinks his view is correct and logical rather than proving how his viewpoint is outright correct compared to that of the co-worker. In such delicate workplace scenarios, the fresher needs to have strong communication skills, allowing others to view him as an open-minded individual and team player, not their foe.
8. A majority of companies do most of their communication through written communication mediums such as email or any other online messaging platform. The new employee must know how to write and communicate the information in the mail in a simple, meticulous, and concise way. No employer has the time and patience to read an essay, thus freshers need to be articulate and brief while writing emails or work messages to their colleagues and superiors.
The importance of effective communication skills must never be undermined. The benefits of proper communication aren’t always apparent immediately but it does have an impact in the long run. Learning the ability to communicate effectively is extremely important for freshers in today’s world where even the simplest of phrases could lead to misunderstandings or hurt someone’s sentiments. Being able to converse efficiently gives freshers a huge advantage in a variety of situations, including getting an interview, climbing the career ladder, developing interpersonal skills, and boosting confidence and self-esteem in their personal as well as professional life.