EMPLOYER PRIORITIES FOR ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN PAKISTAN: AN INTER-INDUSTRY HR SURVEY
Keywords:
Communication skills, , Inter-Industry analysis, speaking skills, Writing skills, HR Professionals, RecruitersAbstract
In Pakistan’s competitive job market, English serves as the primary language of professional communication and is essential for career advancement. This study investigates employers’ preferences for specific English communication skills in recruitment. Using a quantitative repeated-measures design, data were collected from HR professionals across 19 companies in Karachi, spanning industries such as IT, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. A paired-sample t-test revealed that speaking skills are significantly more valued than writing skills (mean difference = 3.79, SD = 2.25, t(18) = 7.34). Recruiters prioritize overall English proficiency, with particular emphasis on pronunciation, confidence, and enunciation, all of which influence hiring decisions.
