Communication and Employability Skills
What this domain tests
This domain tests the communication and workplace behaviour expected in an apparel unit or showroom: clear speech, accurate writing, active listening, teamwork, customer handling, interview readiness and professional digital conduct.
Core rules and concepts
- 7Cs of communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete and courteous.
- Active listening: hear, clarify, paraphrase and confirm; do not interrupt or plan your reply while the other person is speaking.
- Non-verbal cues: eye contact, posture, tone and gesture must support the message; crossed arms or a distracted phone undermines it.
- Written communication: use a subject line, short paragraphs, correct names and a clear action. Avoid slang and unexplained abbreviations in emails to buyers or suppliers.
- Resume: one to two pages, reverse chronological order, measurable achievements, no false claims. Tailor the skills section to the job.
- Interview technique: use STAR - Situation, Task, Action, Result - and give evidence with numbers where possible.
- Teamwork and conflict: address the problem, not the person; confirm the agreed action and follow up.
- Industry vocabulary: use terms such as SAM, AQL, GSM, marker, trim and lead time correctly.
Worked example
Interview question: “Tell me about a time you improved quality.” A weak answer says “I am hard-working.” A STAR answer says: “In my production training (Situation), our side seams had a 6% reject rate (Task). I checked stitch density and found 8 SPI instead of 12, reset the machine and trained two operators (Action). Rejects fell to 2% within a week (Result).” The result is specific and verifiable.
Traps that cost marks
- Giving opinions instead of evidence in interviews.
- Writing an email with no subject or no clear request.
- Listening only for facts and missing the speaker’s concern.
- Using informal chat language with buyers, or claiming skills you cannot demonstrate.