Imagine landing your dream tech job, only to find that your biggest challenge isn’t coding or debugging – it’s explaining your brilliant ideas to your team.

You’re not alone. A 2022 CodinGame survey revealed that 43% of hiring managers struggle to find candidates with strong soft skills, with effective communication topping the list of skills career changers don’t have when pivoting to tech.

In an industry where a single misunderstanding can lead to costly errors or missed opportunities, having strong technical communication skills can be the difference between success and stagnation.

Whether you’re a career changer or looking to pivot into the tech industry, mastering the art of better communication isn’t just an option – it’s your secret weapon for standing out in a crowded field.

☝️ Deeper learning: Building a Personal Brand in Tech Without Prior Experience

10 Ways to Improve Tech Communication Skills

Learn the Lingo (But Don’t Overdo It)

Every industry has its jargon, and tech is no exception.

Familiarize yourself with common terms and acronyms used in your target field. However, remember that clear communication is more important than showing off your vocabulary. When in doubt, explaining concepts in simple terms is a practice of effective communication skills.

Pro Tip: Create a personal tech glossary. Each time you encounter a new term, add it to your list and practice using it in context.

Master the Art of Explaining Complex Ideas Simply

In tech, you’ll often need to explain your technical information and complicated concepts or initiatives to non-technical stakeholders. Practice breaking down complex ideas into digestible chunks. Use analogies and real-world examples to make your explanations more relatable.

Exercise: Pick a tech concept and explain it to a friend or family member who isn’t in the industry. Ask for feedback on your clarity and adjust your presentation skills accordingly.

Enhance Your Active Listening Skills

Communication is a two-way street. In tech roles, you’ll need to gather requirements, understand user needs, and collaborate with team members. Improve your active listening skills by:

—> Maintaining eye contact

—> Asking clarifying questions

—> Summarizing what you’ve heard to ensure understanding

Tech Tip: During your next conversation, focus on listening more than speaking. You might be surprised by how much you learn!

Brush Up on Your Written Communication

In the tech world, there are many written communication styles: email, chat, and documentation, to start. Sharpen your writing skills by:

—> Being concise and to-the-point

—> Using bullet points for clarity

—> Proofreading before sending

—> Sharing your thoughts via LinkedIn posts

Quick Exercise: Take a recent email or social media post you’ve written and try to convey the same message in half the words.

Practice Public Speaking

Many tech roles involve presenting ideas, pitching projects, or leading meetings. Boost good communication skills by getting comfortable with public speaking. Especially if English isn’t your first language, this is a great way to get more confident speaking up in the workplace.

You can improve this by joining a local Toastmasters club and volunteering to present at meetups or conferences. Until then, recording yourself and analyzing your performance is a great way to practice public speaking. You’ll be able to analyze how you speak about technical terms and identify any fillers you tend to use, such as like” or “um”.

Pro Tip: Start small. Present to a group of friends before tackling larger audiences.

☝️ Deeper learning: How to Leverage Your Non-Tech Background in a Tech Role

Develop Your Non-Verbal Communication

How you say something can be just as important as what you say. Pay attention to your body language