Why Communication Skills are your Biggest Employment Barrier

When most people think about what holds them back from landing a job, they often think of something obvious such as their age, lack of specific experience, or even the job market itself.

Perhaps they feel they’re too young and unproven, or too old and overlooked. Maybe they worry that their CV doesn’t tick every box in the job description. All of these can be very real barriers to employment.

However, there is one barrier that cuts across all of them and has the power to either open or close doors: your ability to communicate well, especially in the context of the job search process.

Communication is the invisible thread that ties every part of the job search together. It’s not just about having good grammar or a confident voice. It’s about knowing how to express your value clearly, authentically, and persuasively in writing, in person, and even online.

Let’s break this down into the moments where communication can make or break your chances.

1. Written Communication: Telling Your Story on Paper

Before you ever get to an interview, your CV and cover letter do the talking for you.

And for many people, this is where communication breaks down.

The goal of your CV isn’t to list everything you’ve done; it’s to communicate alignment. Recruiters and employers want to see how your experience connects to their role.

If you don’t have the exact experience, that doesn’t mean you’re not suitable. What matters is your ability to highlight the transferable skills you’ve gained from other things you’ve done, whether that’s managing clients in a different industry, coordinating events, leading a volunteer project, or solving problems under pressure.

A strong communicator can take these experiences and craft a compelling narrative around them. Instead of saying “I don’t have direct experience”, you can say “Here’s how what I’ve done demonstrates I can succeed in this role.” It’s about reframing, translating, and connecting the dots for the employer.

Your written communication is your first chance to tell your professional story, to show not just what you’ve done, but who you are, what you bring, and why you’re worth meeting.

2. Online Presence: Communicating Who You Are

In today’s job market, your communication extends far beyond your CV. Employers and recruiters will often look you up online, on LinkedIn, your portfolio, or even a personal website. This digital footprint can either reinforce your credibility or raise questions about who you are professionally.

Knowing how to communicate who and what you’re all about in an online portfolio or LinkedIn profile is crucial. It’s not about being flashy; it’s about clarity, authenticity, and alignment. Does your headline communicate the type of roles you’re targeting? Do your posts or summaries showcase your voice, values, and expertise?

Your online presence is an opportunity to show that you understand your industry, that you engage with it thoughtfully, and that you’re capable of communicating professionally in public. It’s another form of storytelling, one that employers increasingly use to decide whether you’re someone they want to invite for an interview.

3. Verbal Communication: The Interview and Beyond

Even with a strong CV and online presence, many people stumble at the interview stage. This is where nerves, self-doubt, and lack of preparation can sabotage communication.

Good interview communication isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present. Managing your nervous energy is part of this. When you can steady your breathing, slow your speech, and focus on the question being asked rather than on what could go wrong, you project calm confidence.

But confidence doesn’t mean talking endlessly or sounding rehearsed. It’s about clarity, listening, and connection. A great communicator in an interview knows that it’s a conversation, not an interrogation. Employers aren’t just judging your answers; they’re assessing how you interact.

When faced with a question you don’t immediately know how to answer, communication skills are what save you. Instead of freezing, you can acknowledge the question, take a breath, and structure your thoughts:

• “That’s a great question. Let me think about the most relevant example.”

• “While I haven’t done that exact thing, here’s how I’ve approached something similar.”

  
  

This is what professional presence looks like, the ability to stay composed, adaptable, and articulate under pressure.

Storytelling also plays a big role. Many interview frameworks, like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), exist for a reason; they help you communicate your achievements in a structured, compelling way. The best storytellers don’t just describe what they did; they make it meaningful. They show the impact, the learning, and the relevance.

And finally, remember that interviews go both ways. When you communicate with curiosity and confidence, asking thoughtful questions and engaging in genuine dialogue, you shift the power dynamic. You stop being a nervous candidate trying to impress and start being a professional exploring a mutual fit.

4. How to Improve Your Communication Skills During the Job Search

If communication is the biggest barrier, the good news is that it’s also the most trainable one. Here are practical ways to strengthen your communication across every stage of the job search:

• Get feedback on your written materials. Sometimes it’s hard to see what your CV or cover letter actually communicates. A second pair of eyes can help identify where you’re underselling yourself or using language that doesn’t connect to your target role.

• Record yourself answering interview questions. Watching yourself back can be uncomfortable but invaluable. You’ll notice your pace, tone, and body language, and you can refine your delivery.

• Practise storytelling. Write out several STAR stories that showcase different aspects of your experience such as teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, and so on. Practice saying them out loud until they sound natural and conversational.

• Strengthen your online communication. Update your LinkedIn headline to reflect your target roles. Post or comment on industry topics to show thoughtfulness and engagement.

• Learn to pause. Whether in writing or speaking, pauses give you control. They allow you to gather your thoughts and deliver your message with confidence and composure.
  

Improving communication isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about learning how to express who you already are in a way that lands with employers.

5. When Communication Isn’t the Only Barrier

For some, communication challenges come alongside other barriers such as confidence, career gaps, or a lack of recent experience. But the ability to communicate effectively often underpins the solution to all of these.

When you can express your value clearly and authentically, you can overcome many of the assumptions employers make before they even meet you.

At ELE Hub, we understand that job searching can feel daunting, especially when you’re doing everything “right” but not getting results.

That’s why we offer our Personalised Job Search Support service. We work intensively with you one-on-one to identify your unique barriers to employment and strategise a clear way forward.

Together, we’ll craft powerful CVs and cover letters that showcase your strengths, find roles that align with your goals and comfort levels, and help you communicate yourself confidently at every stage, from your first application to your final interview.

Because when you learn to communicate your value clearly, you don’t just get more interviews; you start opening doors that once felt out of reach.