Why you cannot ignore good communication skills anymore?

The sudden outbreak of coronavirus is having an immense impact on various businesses across the world, thus leading to an economic crisis. Also, this unprecedented catastrophe will have an adverse impact on the overall job hiring process. According to industry experts, around 65% of the job interviews in the services sector will be delayed, while the rest of the industries are bound to slow down too. Apart from the interviews getting delayed or cancelled, the joining dates of the candidates recruited through campus interviews are also getting postponed. The slowdown in the overall hiring scenario is mainly because the service-based companies are concerned about their revenues, profitability, and meeting their forecasts.

Hospitality, travel, and retail industries have slowed down, while certain sectors like healthcare and E-commerce are likely to speed up their hiring process due to the rise in demand. Also, some of the technology-driven sectors are conducting interviews on online platforms like Skype. Why is it necessary to have good communication skills? In order to crack your dream job interviews, technical skills are not just enough. Graduates and job seekers need to enhance their interpersonal communication skills to stand out and perform exceptionally well in job interviews hereafter.

Why is it necessary to have good communication skills?

As we all are aware of the importance of communication skills in the corporate world, make sure you use this opportunity to upgrade your interpersonal communication skills and soft skills. Here are some of the reasons why you cannot ignore good communication skills anymore.

1. A decrease in full-time jobs

Since most businesses are bearing the brunt of this outbreak, it is clearly evident that few job positions will perish in the long run. Also, few high salaried jobs that do not make sense during this period will quickly diminish. This pandemic has lead the companies to revamp their recruiting strategy altogether. Most businesses are planning to hire well-skilled freelancers to get their jobs done through a cost-effective approach. Alternatively, the companies will prefer outsourcing their works on a contractual basis. Only candidates who manage to communicate effectively will have the possibility of getting hired for full-time jobs.

2. Skilled graduates will have an upper hand

If you have recently graduated and applied for jobs as a fresher, companies will expect you to be well-skilled. The concept of paid training period for fresh graduates will eventually fade away with time. Therefore, it is extremely important to upgrade your skills before you apply for your first job. As there is a huge importance of communication skills in the corporate world, employers will preferably look for candidates with excellent soft skills and interpersonal communication skills. Also, fresh graduates have to compete with the experienced candidates looking forward to switching their current jobs. This is why it makes perfect sense to invest in your communication and soft skills.

3. E-learning is emerging faster

Udemy and various other online portals are offering free courses in multiple niches. Discover your area of interest and use this opportunity to the fullest to reap the benefits in the long run. Also, the recruiters are encouraging their current employees to learn new skills rather than hiring new employees and train them from scratch. Upgrading one’s skill set through various e-learning platforms is the current trend followed by all the employees in the IT sector. Apart from learning the latest tools and technologies, you can also take up online courses for enhancing your communication skills.

4. People with the attitude to upskill will sustain

This global pandemic has completely changed the current hiring scenario and most businesses have changed their criteria of choosing an ideal candidate. Be it graduates or experienced, businesses are willing to recruit candidates with the attitude to adapt and learn quickly. When it comes to sustaining your current job or getting a new one, reskilling and upskilling are the major deciding factors. Also, qualifications and higher degrees do not matter as much as your quick learning ability, communication, and soft skills.

5. A variety of new jobs will be created

Though plenty of jobs in the service sector are perishing due to the economic crisis, various other sectors are bound to create new jobs. For instance, there will be an increase in job vacancies in the online delivery, E-commerce and healthcare sectors. Also, the boost in the digital economy will need more technology professionals henceforth. In today’s scenario, there are various advantages of having good communication skills along with tech skills. Localization is yet another interesting factor that will emerge in the days to come, as local economies will create job opportunities that were ruined due to globalization.

6. Adaptability to remote and digital work policy

Remote work from home policy will definitely become a new norm in the near future. This is exactly where the advantages of having good communication skills come into the picture. As we can see how the rapid development of technology is promoting remote work policy, most companies may continue to hire remote employees. In order to adapt to the latest digital and remote work policy, you need to communicate proactively with your team members and clients. Also, due to the uncertainty of this global crisis, freelance job applications will be given higher priority over full-time job applications.

7. Increase in value perception

Since most businesses have incurred significant losses in the past couple of months, there will be a reduction in job designations as well. Only core job titles that are absolutely necessary for the organization will be created. Every business will take into account whether the new job title will optimize costs and generate revenue for their business. Hence it is extremely important for fresh graduates to enhance their tech skills as well as soft skills to enter into the corporate world.

Do not worry if you have not pursued an additional master’s degree from a reputed institution, as it is no longer the criteria for landing in a reputed high salaried job. Now that you are aware of the importance of communication skills in professional life, make sure you use this opportunity wisely and become a proactive communicator.

Penned By: Aanchal Patil