Education heavy but experience light? Seeking a more senior position? Can’t seem to move past your current employment rung despite your advanced degree? Look no further; I’m going to tell you exactly how to become every employer’s dream applicant!

As a Human Capital Manager, my role is to assist employers in recruiting, training, and developing their human capital. After many years of working with clients in several different industries, I can tell you that all have common issues. Every employer seeks intelligent, dedicated, hard working professionals, who are passionate about their work. However, there is one challenge that seems to plague the scientific employment market more than other fields; the lack of developed, managerial communication skills among technical (often highly educated) employees.

Specialized professionals have spent years developing their craft. They are skilled researchers, avid readers, and constantly thinking of ways to leverage technology to enhance their field of concentration. Many are well published in scientific journals and can speak eloquently about the nuances of their profession. These well-read, brilliant minds move effortlessly within the laboratory or classroom setting but, when placed in the middle of corporate America, become speechless. Why is this? What causes such an odd phenomenon? Can someone really be so technically hard wired that they are incapable of interacting with all levels of employees? No, of course not, but it does take practice to develop non-technical communication skills. If your current position doesn’t offer this type of experience, then you simply must seek out ways to improve your skills.

The more technology drives your workplace, the more I hear from clients that the highly-educated entry level employees they spent thousands of dollars attracting are struggling to move up the managerial ladder. So how do you apply this piece of information to your desire for a more fulfilling position? I suggest you start with a self-assessment of your own communication skills. Writing first, as it is great prep work for oral communication.

What was the last item you wrote? A journal article, study report, or technical summary? If so, then it’s probably time to brush up on your non-technical writing skills. The ability to communicate with any audience is an incredibly underdeveloped skill that is highly sought after in every job market. If the idea of writing a letter to a pen pal (no techno speak allowed) or drafting a sample performance evaluation for the mailroom clerk far exceeds your comfort level, try writing an article in your field for the local high school newspaper. Imagine trying to convey your most recent scientific discovery in 500 words or less to a sixteen year old. Continue writing items that are not within your specialty but are common to every workplace; a sample policy letter about work hours or a human interest paragraph for the company newsletter. Truly valuable employees are versatile communicators and can be called upon to support all facets of the organization.

Once you’ve written something you are sure transcends the world between you and a ninth grader, present your material. Take your article to the local high school, contact the student editor and ask to be interviewed for the paper. If you are a biologist, volunteer to be a guest speaker at the next Junior High Science Fair; I assure you, they’ll welcome you with open arms. Force yourself to interact in professional situations with people that do not speak your scientific language. These small acts will help you identify the areas you are already strong in and conversely, the areas where you need to keep stretching your skills. Once you’ve taken a mental inventory of your own ability to communicate, continue to seek improvement in the areas you feel most vulnerable.

I have never developed a recruitment strategy for any agency that did not request that all prospective candidates be able to write and speak effectively. In order to progress to more challenging positions within any organization, finely tuned communication skills are a must. The wider the scope of the position, the more diverse the audience you must communicate with. The CEO knows how to talk to the receptionist and the Senior Vice President. Whenever your career offers you a moment to improve your employable skills, pounce on the opportunity to stretch your words in print and in conversation. Not only will you be broadening your professional offerings, but you will be amazed at the other career opportunities you find along the way that you never knew were beyond the laboratory door.