Interpersonal skills are essential for communication professionals. Learn how to leverage them in your new job with these tips.

In most arenas, listening is the first and most critical step in communicating. I entered a new industry a couple of years ago, and it took some time to acclimate. Asking questions of my coworkers and then really listening to not only what they said but also how they responded really shaped how I do my job and interact. I firmly believe we can all learn something from everyone while bringing our own contributions to be successful.

You’re starting a new job in communication. How can you make the most of your interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills are essential for any communication professional, whether you’re a journalist, a marketer, a public relations specialist, or a content creator. They help you build rapport, trust, and influence with your colleagues, clients, sources, and audiences. But how can you leverage your interpersonal skills when you’re starting a new job in communication? Here are some tips to help you succeed in your new role.

Key takeaways from this article

Understand your workplace culture:

Observe how colleagues communicate and what tools they prefer. This helps you adapt quickly and fit into your new environment smoothly.### *Be proactive and positive:Take initiative in tasks and offer help to show your enthusiasm. This builds rapport with colleagues, showcasing your willingness to contribute.

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1 Know your strengths and weaknesses

Before you dive into your new job, take some time to assess your interpersonal skills. What are your strengths and areas of improvement? How do you communicate verbally and non-verbally? How do you handle feedback, conflict, and collaboration? How do you adapt to different situations and personalities? Be honest and realistic with yourself, and identify some goals and action steps to enhance your skills. You can also ask for feedback from your previous employers, mentors, or peers to get an external perspective.

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Sonia Dubey Dewan, AICI CIP

Sonia Dubey Dewan, AICI CIP | Leading India's Image Revolution | India’s 1st Certified Image Professional | Global Personal Brand Strategist | Image Consulting India President | Intl Keynote Speaker | Philanthropist
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To make the most of interpersonal skills in a new communication role, actively listen to understand colleagues' needs, adapt communication styles to connect effectively, build rapport through empathy, and collaborate across teams to foster positive relationships and achieve shared objectives.

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Michael Jason Saputra

YouTube-based creator at Jalan Kecil TV
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Be flexible and be moderate, also being cheeky sometimes helps too. That isn't to say that you can't be original. But sometimes, you need to package your uniqueness in a way that appeals to the broad public masses. However, the most important thing I've learned is to be kind. Easier said than done, I know. You alone can measure how kind you should and can be, without losing a respectful regard of yourself.

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2 Learn about your new workplace culture

Every organization has its own culture, values, and norms that shape how people communicate and interact. To fit in and perform well in your new job, you need to learn and respect the culture of your new workplace. Observe how your colleagues and managers communicate, what channels and tools they use, what tone and style they prefer, and what expectations and boundaries they have. You can also ask questions, seek guidance, and follow the examples of role models and mentors in your new team.

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Addie Rising
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In most arenas, listening is the first and most critical step in communicating. I entered a new industry a couple of years ago, and it took some time to acclimate. Asking questions of my coworkers and then really listening to not only what they said but also how they responded really shaped how I do my job and interact. I firmly believe we can all learn something from everyone while bringing our own contributions to be successful.

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3 Be proactive and positive

One of the best ways to show your interpersonal skills in your new job is to be proactive and positive. Don’t wait for others to approach you or assign you tasks. Instead, take initiative, offer your help, suggest ideas, and contribute to projects. Show enthusiasm, curiosity, and interest in your work and your colleagues. Express gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for others’ efforts and achievements. Avoid gossip, negativity, and criticism that can damage your reputation and relationships.

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4 Listen and empathize

Listening and empathizing are key interpersonal skills that can help you build trust and rapport with your new colleagues and clients. Listening means paying attention, asking questions, clarifying doubts, and summarizing what you hear. Empathizing means understanding, acknowledging, and validating others’ feelings, perspectives, and needs. By listening and empathizing, you can show respect, care, and support for others, as well as gain valuable insights and information for your work.

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Tom Bryan

Helping Gloucestershire's business leaders achieve workplace wellbeing accreditation, empowering healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces!
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Active listening is a fundamental skill to master in any role, even more so if you work in communications. Active listening is a focused and empathetic communication technique where the listener fully concentrates, understands, and responds to the speaker. It involves giving undivided attention, making eye contact, and using verbal and nonverbal cues to show engagement. Active listeners refrain from interrupting, ask clarifying questions, and paraphrase to confirm understanding. This approach fosters deeper connections, enhances comprehension, and promotes effective problem-solving in interpersonal communication.

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5 Communicate clearly and effectively

As a communication professional, you need to communicate clearly and effectively with different audiences and stakeholders. This means choosing the right words, tone, and format for your messages, depending on the context, purpose, and goal. It also means being concise, coherent, and consistent in your communication, avoiding jargon, ambiguity, and errors. Moreover, it means being respectful, polite, and courteous in your communication, following the rules of etiquette and professionalism.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

Finally, to make the most of your interpersonal skills in your new job, you need to seek feedback and improvement. Feedback is essential for learning, growing, and improving your skills and performance. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your managers, colleagues, and clients, and be open to receiving constructive criticism and praise. Use feedback to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and to set goals and action steps to improve your skills. Also, give feedback to others in a respectful and helpful way, and celebrate their successes and achievements.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re starting a new job in communication. How can you make the most of your interpersonal skills?

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1 Know your strengths and weaknesses

2 Learn about your new workplace culture

3 Be proactive and positive

4 Listen and empathize

5 Communicate clearly and effectively

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider