Nearly any survey of employers, business managers, or human resource professionals will discover the same thing: communication skills are important.  Most of the time, communication is at the top of the list, even ahead of technical skills.  Many employers will admit they can teach you how to do the job.  What they can't teach you are the complicated, difficult skills of communication. 

So, what exactly does "good communication" mean to an employer?  The priority changes from job to job, but here's what most employers tell us they want:

"the ability to write a clear, responsive memo or email to a client, vendor or colleague"

"the ability to present and explain a position in a conversation, meeting or presentation"

"the ability to listen, understand, and respond to what bosses, customers or co-workers really want or mean"

"the ability to use technology to send, receive and store information efficiently"

"the ability to work well with others"

"the ability to work productively in a self-managed team"

"the ability to get along with difficult people"