Communication Skills for a CV (Guide & Examples)

Communication skills are essential in any job. They help you collaborate, solve problems, and lead effectively. However, many people find it difficult to highlight these skills on their CVs without sounding too generic.

This article is here to help you showcase your key CV strengths. We help you focus on concrete examples that show how you’ve made an impact and make a good CV that stands out to potential employers.

In this guide, we explore:

• Why communication skills are crucial in 2025 and beyond

• Job-specific examples for in-demand careers

• Tips for improving communication skills with no work experience

• How communication fosters strong workplace relationships and leadership

• How effective communication drives business success and innovation.

If you are looking to refresh or create a new CV, explore our diverse collection of CV templates to help you create an application that shines.

Why do communication skills matter?

Communication is a soft skill which is key to workplace success from entry-level to manager roles. It helps prevent misunderstandings, fosters collaboration, strengthens leadership, and builds trust with clients.

• 78% of employers prioritise communication skills.

• Companies with effective communicators have 50% lower employee turnover.

• Businesses with strong communication practices are 3.5x more likely to outperform their peers.

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List of top 10 communication skills for a CV

When showcasing communication skills on your CV, it’s essential to tailor them to the role. Here’s a list of the top communication skills employers look for:

1. Active listening: Understanding instructions, responding effectively, and making others feel heard.

2. Written communication: Crafting clear and professional emails, reports, and other documents.

3. Verbal communication: Speaking clearly and confidently in meetings, presentations, or customer interactions.

4. Public speaking: Delivering presentations or speeches effectively to diverse audiences.

5. Negotiation: Persuading others and reaching mutually beneficial agreements.

6. Conflict resolution: Managing and resolving workplace disagreements calmly and diplomatically.

7. Feedback exchange: Give constructive feedback and be open to receiving it for continuous improvement.

8. Interpersonal communication: Building strong relationships through empathy and understanding.

9. Presentation skills: Using visual aids and storytelling to convey complex ideas simply.

10. Team collaboration: Communicating effectively within a team to achieve shared goals.

For more examples, check out our related blog article on the top skills employers look for.

Job-specific communication skills for a CV

1. Customer service

Clear communication is essential in customer service to address customer concerns, provide explanations, and resolve issues efficiently. Strong communication fosters trust and ensures positive customer experiences.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Resolved customer inquiries with clear, concise communication, improving satisfaction.

• Delivered product information, ensuring customers fully understood offerings.

• Actively listened to feedback, offering tailored solutions to meet needs.

For more tips, refer to our customer service CV and customer service cover letter guides.

2. Sales

In sales, effective communication builds relationships, identifies customer needs, and persuades clients to make purchasing decisions. Strong verbal and written communication skills are key to driving sales.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Presented products clearly, helping clients make informed purchasing decisions.

• Managed client communications, ensuring all queries were addressed.

• Used active listening during calls, tailoring solutions to customer needs.

For more insights, see our sales manager CV and sales cover letter examples

3. Teaching

Teachers need to convey complex information in a simple way that engages students. Effective communication ensures students understand and can apply what they learn.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Delivered lessons with clear, simple explanations, enhancing comprehension.

• Used relatable examples to make difficult topics accessible.

• Provided actionable feedback to support student improvement.

Refer to our teacher CV, teaching assistant CV, and teaching assistant cover letter for tailored advice.

4. Marketing

In marketing, clear communication is essential for crafting messages that resonate with target audiences and drive engagement. It also helps in collaborating with teams to ensure consistency.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Created persuasive marketing copy that resonated with target audiences.

• Collaborated with teams to ensure consistent messaging across campaigns.

• Delivered client presentations, articulating marketing strategies effectively.

Check out our marketing CV and marketing cover letter examples for more details.

5. Human Resources (HR)

HR professionals use communication to clarify policies, resolve conflicts, and ensure smooth operations. Strong communication skills build a positive work environment.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Explained company policies clearly to staff, ensuring compliance.

• Mediated employee issues, resolving conflicts with clear communication.

• Delivered training sessions, improving team communication.

For more information, refer to our HR CV and HR cover letter examples.

6. Healthcare

Healthcare professionals must communicate complex medical information clearly and compassionately. This ensures patients understand treatment plans and feel supported.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Explained treatment options clearly to patients, ensuring full understanding.

• Communicated effectively with colleagues to coordinate patient care.

• Provided post-care instructions, ensuring clarity for recovery.

For further tips, refer to our healthcare CV and healthcare cover letter examples

7. IT & Tech Support

In IT, explaining technical issues to non-technical users is crucial. Clear communication helps resolve problems efficiently and ensures customer satisfaction.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Simplified technical issues for non-technical users, reducing confusion.

• Documented troubleshooting steps clearly for easy user understanding.

• Communicated system updates in a straightforward manner to clients.

For more guidance, see our IT CV guide and IT skills for a CV blog article.

8. Project Management

Project managers need to communicate project goals, timelines, and progress clearly to all stakeholders. Effective communication ensures alignment and smooth project delivery.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Delivered project updates to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with goals.

• Led team meetings, communicating roles and deadlines effectively.

• Resolved project issues with clear communication, maintaining progress.

For more tips, refer to our project manager CV and project manager cover letter guides.

9. Social media

Effective communication shapes public perception and keeps your brand consistent across all platforms. As a social media manager, it's essential to get your message across clearly and effectively.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Crafted clear, concise content for social media platforms, boosting audience engagement.

• Developed and maintained strong communication with team members to ensure aligned messaging.

• Managed crisis communication, addressing issues promptly and maintaining brand reputation.

See our social media CV example to learn more about the entry requirements.

10. Finance

In finance, professionals must explain complex financial data to clients and stakeholders. Clear communication helps ensure understanding and supports informed decision-making.

Examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Simplified financial reports for clients, improving understanding.

• Presented financial insights to management, providing clear recommendations.

• Communicated financial risks clearly, supporting strategic decisions.

For more examples and tips, explore our finance CV and finance cover letter guides.

How to showcase communication skills in your CV

Your CV is your first chance to demonstrate your communication abilities - not just list them. Think of it as your opportunity to show employers how well you can convey information, collaborate, and solve problems. Here’s how to make your communication skills stand out across different sections of your CV:

• Personal statement: Write a summary that emphasises your communication strengths, such as your ability to connect with colleagues, lead discussions, or present ideas effectively.

• Skills section: Place key communication skills, like active listening, public speaking, or negotiation, prominently to catch the recruiter’s attention.

• Work experience: Use bullet points to describe how you applied communication skills on the job—for example, leading team meetings, resolving conflicts, or drafting compelling reports.

• Achievements: Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate your communication impact, such as closing a deal, improving team collaboration, or delivering a successful presentation.

Additional tips on how to showcase communication skills on a CV:

1. Be clear and concise

Use straightforward language to highlight your communication skills. Avoid jargon and focus on clarity, ensuring each section is easy to read and understand. Clear communication in your CV shows you can express yourself effectively.

2. Tailor your examples

Match your communication skills to the job description. For customer-facing roles, emphasise verbal and listening skills. For leadership positions, highlight your ability to motivate and guide teams.

3. Quantify your achievements

Rather than just stating you’re a good communicator, provide examples with measurable results. For instance, mention how your communication skills improved project efficiency or led to successful negotiations.

4. Use a clean, professional format

A well-structured CV reflects your ability to communicate clearly. Stick to a professional font like Arial or Calibri, and keep your layout neat and easy to follow.

How to show communication skills on your CV without experience

You don’t need a long work history to prove you’re a great communicator. Think about times you worked with others, explained something clearly, or even stepped up to speak in front of a group. These moments show how good you are at connecting with people.

Tips on how to include communication skills on your CV with no experience :

• Talk about school projects where you presented your ideas.

• Mention group work or volunteering where you worked well with others.

• Highlight any public speaking, like debates or assemblies.

• Share times you helped solve problems by explaining things clearly.

• Focus on being a good listener and working with people’s needs.

No experience examples of communication skills for a CV:

• Student: Presented a group project in class, breaking down the topic so everyone could understand.

• School leaver: Volunteered at a community event, helping visitors by giving clear directions and answering questions.

• Intern: Shared ideas during team meetings in my summer internship, helping shape the final project plan.

See our related blog articles for more inspiration:

• How to write a CV with no experience

• How to write a cover letter with no experience

Key takeaways

1. Harness communication in 2025: With more content becoming robotic, strong communication skills help you stay authentic and competitive in an AI-driven landscape.

2. Tailor communication to specific industries: Apply clear communication to sectors like healthcare, tech, and customer service to foster effective team collaboration and client relationships.

3. Improve communication without experience: Develop your skills by practising active listening, seeking feedback, and engaging in relevant exercises.

4. Build trust and leadership: Strengthen trust, promote teamwork, and accelerate career growth by using strong communication.

5. Drive business success through communication: Foster innovation, deepen customer relationships and enhance business performance with clear, effective communication.

Next steps?

We offer all the resources and tools you need to enhance your communication skills and stand out in your job applications. Explore our library of professional CV templates designed to highlight your key strengths. For additional guidance, our experts at CV Writing Services are here to help. From tailoring your CV to a specific role to selecting and showcasing the right skills, we support you at every step.

For more inspiration, refer to our related blog articles below:

• How to write a LinkedIn profile

• How to send a CV via email

• How to write a CV for the first job.

Improve your CV by adding communication skills

Start now

FAQ

How do you describe communication skills on a CV?

Use specific examples and metrics:

• Led cross-functional team meetings, resulting in 30% faster project completion

• Managed client relationships, leading to a 25% increase in retention

• Created documentation reducing training time by 40%

What are the 7 essential communication skills for 2025?

1. Cross-team collaboration

2. Cross-cultural communication

3. Negotiation

4. Public speaking & presentation

5. Active listening

6. Data storytelling

7. Crisis communication.

Can I list communication skills in the skills section?

Yes, include specific keywords relevant to the job description, such as "public speaking," "active listening," or "negotiation."

Should communication skills be in the personal statement?

Definitely! For example, you can say, "Streamlined cross-team communication workflows, reducing project delays by 10% and enhancing collaboration."

How do communication skills differ across industries?

Communication skills vary depending on the role and industry. For example, strong verbal communication is essential in sales for building relationships and closing deals, whereas clear and persuasive written communication is vital in marketing for crafting effective campaigns.

How do I quantify my communication skills on a CV?

Showcase measurable results by combining soft and hard skills in your achievements section. For example, "Improved client retention rates by 15% by providing clear, tailored communication and addressing feedback effectively."

What are the 5 communication skills?

The five key communication skills are listening carefully, speaking clearly, reading and writing effectively, understanding body language, and being flexible in how you communicate. These skills help you connect with others and get your message across in any situation.

How do I say I have good communication skills?

Mention real examples like, “I enjoy explaining things clearly, whether it’s presenting in meetings or helping colleagues understand a process.” Focus on situations where your communication made a difference.

How can I demonstrate communication skills through my work experience?

Focus on situations where your communication led to successful outcomes. Highlight how you effectively conveyed information, facilitated team collaboration, resolved conflicts, or built relationships with clients. Show how your communication contributed to solving problems, improving efficiency, or achieving project goals.