Turn your gift of gab into a career asset. Plenty of jobs rely on strong communication skills, but that can mean many things, from presenting your thoughts in a clear, concise fashion to being an excellent writer.
In some cases, however, the communication skill in question is rather literal. Big talkers, please step up to the mic. It’s your time to shine. Someone who has a gab gift and can share that gift with many different personality types is valued across industries.
Here Are The Best Jobs For People Who Love To Talk
13. Advertising sales representative
What you’d do: Ad sales reps spend the majority of their days on the phone with clients to sell advertising, marketing, and media spots.
A key to their success? Developing solid relationships with their clients, which, of course, means having lots of conversations.
What you’d need: Bachelor’s degree and on-the-job training.
What you’d make: $53,310 per year
12. Announcer
You’d do: Step up to the mic to present music, news, sports, the weather, time, traffic, et cetera on radio or TV. Announcers need to constantly stay updated on trending topics to ensure they are prepared to weigh in on breaking events on-air, either through their commentary or in discussions with guests.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or broadcasting is typically required; an internship or experience at a college radio or TV station may be expected, as well.
What you’d make: $31,990 per year
11. Coach
What you’d do: Whether the game is golf or ice hockey, a coach’s job is to teach, train, and motivate athletes who compete to win, either for their school or recreational team. Coaches exert lots of lung power during practices, matches, and games. It can get loud!
What you’d need: Some positions may require a bachelor’s degree, plus prior experience either as an athlete or coach to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the sport you’re coaching.
What you’d make: $34,840
10. Customer service representative
What you’d do: A valuable part of every industry, customer service reps are constantly fielding questions and concerns from customers, either over the phone or face-to-face, and sometimes even through email or live chat. Customer service reps are expected to have all the answers and be able to communicate clearly.
What you’d need: High-school diploma and on-the-job training are required, as are soft skills, such as patience and tact. View a sample resume for a customer service representative.
What you’d make: $34,710 per year
9. Event planner
What you’d do: Event planners are in charge of orchestrating and handling every last detail of events, ceremonies and professional meetings. This requires a lot of conversations. They first meet with clients to discuss requirements and budgets and then arrange locations, transportation, and other details.
The planner is continually communicating with the client and vendors to make sure everything falls into place promptly.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree is typically required. Experience in the hospitality industry may be expected for some positions. View a sample resume for an event coordinator.
What you’d make: $50,600 per year
8. Fitness instructor
What you’d do: Think of fitness instructors and personal trainers as motivational speakers who lead group classes and private sessions to encourage clients to get in better shape. They typically teach in a gym, health club, recreation center, or another facility, possibly in the homes of individual clients.
What you’d need: Formal training requirements vary by the specification; certification may be expected.
What you’d make: $40,390 per year
7. High school teacher
What you’d do: Remember what it was like on the other side of the desk? Now it’s your turn to dole out the knowledge from the front of the class—morning to afternoon, five days a week. Teachers must have a comprehensive understanding of the subjects they teach and have the stamina to talk throughout the day, often repeating the same material to different students’ classes.
You’d need: A bachelor’s degree and state certification usually the minimum requirements, but additional training in specialty areas may be required. View a sample resume for a teacher.
What you’d make: $61,660 per year
6. Human resources specialist
What you’d do: Human resources specialists recruit places and guide employees through HR procedures. To do that effectively, they must develop strong relationships with almost everyone they meet. (That means a lot of friendly banter.) Also, they consult with employers to find gaps in employment, interview applicants, refer job candidates, and organize new-employee orientation.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree, especially in business or HR, is often expected, but further education may be needed in some instances. Interpersonal skills and respect for privacy and confidentiality in personnel matters are a must.
What you’d make: $61,920 per year
5. Interpreter
What you’d do: Interpreters help people communicate across language barriers by converting one language into another, usually in offices, schools, courtrooms, hospitals, and conference centers. This means an interpreter is automatically a part of many conversations happening within their client’s presence.
What you’d need: Native-level fluency in English and at least one other language are a must, and a bachelor’s degree is a typical minimum requirement.
What you’d make: $51,830 per year
4. Public relations specialist
What you’d do: PR specialists are like megaphones. These big talkers are in charge of getting the word out on a timely schedule. They’re always meeting with people and making phone calls to promote their company or brand to the public, including consumers, investors, and reporters.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in a field such as PR, journalism, communications, or English is a minimum. View a sample resume for a public relations manager.
What you’d make: $61,150 per year
3. Reporter
What you’d do: Before a reporter publishes a single word, they must conduct plenty of interviews (and follow-up interviews) with their sources to get a story straight. Traditionally this job was linked with newspapers and magazines, but today’s reporters research topics and write articles for websites and blogs.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in a field such as journalism or communications is a typical starting point. An internship or experience at a college newspaper may also be expected. View a sample resume for a reporter.
What you’d make: $43,490 per year
2. Speech-language pathologist
What you’d do: Speech pathologists spend their days in schools and health care facilities evaluating patients and working with them on speech, language, or difficulties with swallowing. They also create individualized treatment plans for their patients.
What you’d need: A master’s degree is typically a minimum, and state licensing is a common requirement.
What you’d make: $79,120 per year
1. Trial attorney
What you’d do: Trial attorneys represent clients in court, using evidence and facts to argue in the client’s favour. This requires lawyers to verbally engage the judge and jury and speak at length with clients and witnesses beforehand to prepare them for the trial properly.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree and a law degree, plus the bar exam passage in all states in which you intend to practice law. Trial lawyers often have to be quick on their feet to respond to changing circumstances, arguments, and tactics and need skills like empathy and persuasion to win over a judge or jury. View a sample resume for an attorney.
What you’d make: $122,960 per year
