"If I have two engineers competing for the same job, the one with good communications skills will win out because they can do so much more," said Kelly Guy, director of recruiting services for HumCap in Dallas.

Um, not always, and to be fair, if you read the article through, it does provide a balanced view.

Sure, communication skills are important for almost any job.  In fact, interview models are largely based around a candidate’s ability to relay information and present ideas in an effective matter.  Software engineering is no different.

But before assuming you should file away your C++ books and take a PowerPoint class, make sure you understand what’s expected from you with a potential employer. 

For instance, it’s true that companies typically expect a more advanced level of communication / people / negotiation skills from their QA and Project / Program Management employees.  Technical skills are required, but if a tester can’t fight for a bug or a PM can’t maintain a schedule, technical know-how is for naught.  On the flip side though (and again, I’m generalizing … remember, do your homework!), developers, especially at large companies, can often be more heads-down and focused on a particular area or task.  Communication skills?  Not so important.

I’ve also seen this need vary from company to company, regardless of role.  At smaller companies where engineers wear many hats and have a large scope of responsibility, communication skills can rank at the top.  But there are lots of companies out there (and one in particular that I’m thinking of, and no, it’s not MS :) in which technical skills take extreme precedence over communication skills to, IMHO, a short-sighted fault.

So, do your homework.  Determine what that “so much more” the employer seeks really is.  Ask your recruiter about the job, its responsibilities, and the company’s expectations.  You should, of course, always work on your communication skills … the ability to talk good will never hurt you. :)  But don’t think that great communication skills can necessarily help you score the job over that “computer wizard” interviewing right after you.   

gretchen

<Addition 8/22:  Oh, and I forgot to add ..."I deal with the ?!&#@ customers so the engineers don't have to! I have people skills!  I am good at  dealing with people! Can't you understand that?!?">