What is Communication Competence

This chapter provides strategies for professional language use in diverse workplaces. Effective professional communication strategies are essential in both personal and professional contexts. Learning to master professional languages strengthens relationships in the workplace, builds trust, assists in problem solving, and increases knowledge. Unconscious bias is also covered in the chapter along with strategies for using bias-free language. Interviewing strategies will also be discussed in this chapter. The landscape for both employees and job seekers has changed after the pandemic. Video interviews, real-time and recorded, are viewed as an acceptable means for hiring new employees. Interviews can be conducted either face-to-face or virtually but must follow guidelines of professional language and communication. Additional topics discussed in this chapter include business communication, strategies for professional language use in diverse workplaces, the seven Cs of communication, soft skills, and negotiation.