Why Are Effective Writing and Communication Skills Important in Getting a Job?
Experts and coaches preach the importance of effective writing and communication skills when you are searching for a new job, but without understanding why, it can be difficult to actually hone those skills and apply them to your situation. Your writing and communication skills not only serve as your first impression on a potential employer; they indicate what type of worker you will be.
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Impression and Appearance
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When you're actively looking for a new job, you may first make contact with your future employer knowingly or unknowingly. For example, you may send in a prepared cover letter, or you may contact him with a casual email on an unrelated subject, only to learn there is a position available. Likewise, your first in-person meeting with him may not be an interview. Whether your first contact is written or verbal, it will immediately form an impression of you in his mind, and that impression should be of an intelligent, educated worker.
Representation
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If she chooses to hire you, your employer is highly aware that you will be representing her company to the public and other businesses. As a company representative, your poor writing or communication skills will reflect badly on the company itself, and therefore, your employer. Developing these skills in preparation for applications and interviews is essential in showing employers that you will represent their business well.
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Attention to Detail
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Well-organized thoughts on paper and spoken aloud show the employer that you pay attention to detail. This level of attention implies that you care greatly about your work, and in turn, the company. For example, if it is obvious that you spent time crafting the perfect resume and cover letter, the employer will likely understand that you will also pay an equal amount of attention to your future job.
Respect
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On paper, typos and grammatical errors are simple to fix and usually require only a quick proofreading job. Submitting an error-ridden document to a potential employer is disrespectful of his time. Likewise, poor communication skills may be a result of nerves or a number of reasons, but if you are unable to articulate a thought, or if you mumble or avoid eye contact, you could give the employer the mistaken impression that you have not done your research, that you lack confidence or that you do not respect him.
Liability
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As an employee in any job, poor writing or communication skills could lead to misunderstandings that your employer will be liable for. According to Clayton State University, some companies are beginning to require job candidates to submit written reports during screening as a result of the liabilities imposed on the company in the past that were due to poor writing skills.
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