Do you love to talk? Good news, there are specialized careers for those who have the gift for gab.
Yes, most jobs require excellent communication skills. But there are a few that search for the best of the best when it comes to talking, those who have a true passion for communicating with others.
The Graduate Management Admission Council, the authoritative body that administers the GMAT business school exam, recently surveyed more than 600 corporations and businesses. They asked employers what they most want from a graduate. Nearly all employers said they wanted team members who knew how to talk.
Here are the top eight jobs for extroverts and people who love to talk.
Advertising Sales Representative.
Advertising sales representatives have a gift for talking and an eye for design. They spend countless hours on the phone, communicating advertisement needs, best practices and new, fresh ideas. While they don't actually design the advertisements for clients, advertising sales representatives use their winning smile and gift of gab to bring in lucrative contracts. Sales representatives are great jobs for extroverts and those with an outgoing personality.
Most applicants should already have a bachelor's degree in communications, business, sales or marketing before applying for this job. While most companies provide on-the-job training, each business has its own requirements. Familiarize yourself with advertising design, current demographics and niche departments. LinkedIn Learning offers advertising and promotion training.
Announcer.
No other career focuses more attention on talking than the announcing industry. Announcers present music, news, sports, weather and other valuable or recreational information on radio or TV. While it may seem easy to tell others what they want to hear, announcers have to constantly research current trends and stay up-to-date on current events.
Most radio and television stations require announcers to hold a bachelor's degree in journalism or broadcasting. Don't think that holding the right degree will automatically get you on air. Stations search for candidates with the best “on-air voice.” Taking speech classes or voice lessons will dramatically increase your chances.
Customer Service Representative.
Customer service representatives are a valuable – if not the most valuable – part of every industry. These specialists field calls from current and prospective clients, mitigate concerns and prevent complaint escalations. They are the face and voice of the company. Most clients never see the corporate officers, instead they rely on customer representatives to help them navigate the company. These crucial team members are expert communicators with the ability to multitask and be versatile.
While this position is one of the most common and important in every company, most companies only require a high school diploma and provide specialized training and orientation. On the other hand, if you want to move up the ranks, taking conflict resolution and leadership classes will help you win the promotion faster.
High School Teacher.
High school teachers represent some of the nation's top communicators. Teachers mitigate issues between parents and the school, resolve conflicts between pupils, deliver complex lesson plans to large groups and provide guidance and counseling to their students.
Most school districts require at least a bachelor's degree in education, but some allow candidates with specialized degrees and past teaching experience. Teachers are certified or licensed and must take continuing education throughout the year. TeacherStep, an online training platform, offers re-certification, curriculum refreshers and course training to help teachers stay updated.
Human Resources Specialist.
Human resources specialists are responsible for finding the best candidates for the job. Whether this means recruiting team members, interviewing potential candidates or setting up meetings with managers, these team members use their communication and people skills to fill employment gaps. Patience goes a long way in this job. Human resources specialists have to field calls and answer questions, sometimes mundane inquiries or the aggravating ramblings of a nervous recruit.
Nearly all specialists hold a bachelor or master's degree in human resources, management, recruiting or communication. Some candidates hold degrees in public relations and marketing. Most job training requires maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of current and local hiring trends and maintaining constant contact with staffing agencies.
Interpreter.
These employees have the true gift for gab, literally. Interpreters help break the barriers between people who speak different languages. They act as liaisons between corporate officers and foreign clients and translate foreign documents for their managers. Most translators work in government agencies or are freelancers. Police stations, welfare offices and courts have the highest demand for these individuals.
Most translators need to earn a bachelor's degree in the language they plan to translate. But training shouldn't stop there. Most companies want more than a team member who can translate documents and conversations. They need team members who are knowledgeable about the culture and traditions of their foreign guests. Foreign Language Study Abroad (FLSAS) offers an immersion program that teaches languages in the host country.
Public Relations Specialist.
Where customer service representatives represent the face of the company to clients, public relations specialists are the public face and voice of the company. Typically, any position in public relations is a great job for extroverts and those who love to be in the spotlight. Most specialists act as spokespeople and release statements to the media. They are in charge of getting the word out on a timely schedule and constantly meet with people to promote their company or brand. Public relations specialists mostly communicate with reporters and news outlets, but they also organize events to promote the business in the community.
Most public relations specialists earn a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, journalism, communications or English. They must have excellent English and speak clearly. However, public relations specialists are required to have an expert knowledge of written English and be proficient in Associated Press (AP) style writing.
Reporter.
Most people consider reporters to be great writers but rarely consider their gift for gab. Before a single word is printed, reporters interview countless sources and follow-up before writing their stories. Asking questions may seem simple, but reporters must be adept at convincing sources to open up and reveal their secrets.
Reporters typically earn a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, mass media, journalism or English before they work for a news outlet. The industry is fiercely competitive and requires graduates to seek internships at local newspapers. Even with a degree and past experience under their belt, reporters are consistently entering the freelance business to make ends meet.
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