Speaking and verbal communication skills: which jobs need them
Speaking, in ONET terms, is conveying information clearly to others. ONET lists it among the top essential skills for customer service representatives, administrative assistants, sales representatives, computer support specialists, medical assistants and database administrators. Show it with the audiences you have spoken to and what changed.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Skill | Speaking and verbal communication |
| Source of the occupation data | O*NET OnLine (US Department of Labor), accessed 31 October 2026 |
| Occupations in this guide that list it | 7 |
| Where to learn more | Our career guides and the O*NET pages linked below |
What is Speaking and verbal communication?
Verbal communication covers phone calls, meetings, presentations and one-to-one explanations. Employers look for clear, calm explanation, and interviews test it directly.
Which jobs use it?
The occupation pages on O*NET OnLine list technology skills and top essential skills. These occupations from our career guides include this skill or closely related ones:
- Customer Service Representatives (O*NET 43-4051.00): Speaking among top skills.
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (O*NET 43-6014.00): Speaking among top skills.
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products (O*NET 41-4012.00): Speaking among essential skills.
- Computer User Support Specialists (O*NET 15-1232.00): Speaking among top skills.
- Medical Assistants (O*NET 31-9092.00): Speaking among top skills.
- Database Administrators (O*NET 15-1242.00): Speaking among top skills.
- Data Scientists (O*NET 15-2051.00): Speaking among top skills.
O*NET examples are illustrative, not a requirement for every employer. Read the postings for the role you want.
How do I show it on a resume?
- Name the audience: customers, patients, a team, a class.
- Mention presentations and what they led to.
- Mention languages you speak with a level you can demonstrate.
- Practise your interview answers aloud.
See the customer service resume example and sales representative resume example for layout, and our guide to an ATS-friendly resume.
On LiveRec, employers who find candidates for a job see up to five of your skills on your card, with the ones that match the job first. Use the exact name of the skill, as in which skills to put on a profile.
Where can I learn it?
We link only official sources we could verify. The O*NET Skills Search shows skills and examples, and each career guide above explains typical education from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ask your employer or school what training it offers, then add what you complete to your profile.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as verbal communication? Calls, meetings, presentations and explanations. O*NET calls it Speaking.
Should I list languages? Yes, with an honest level.
Which jobs list speaking as top skill? Several in our guides, including customer service and administration.
Related guides
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Sources
- O*NET OnLine, Customer Service Representatives, 43-4051.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4051.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive, 43-6014.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-6014.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products, 41-4012.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-4012.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Computer User Support Specialists, 15-1232.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1232.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Medical Assistants, 31-9092.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9092.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Database Administrators, 15-1242.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1242.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Data Scientists, 15-2051.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2051.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Skills Search: https://www.onetonline.org/skills/ (accessed 31 October 2026)