7 answers
Naikay
Student
New Rochelle, New York
1
Question
Asked
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What are some careers that need great listeners?
I would like to know some careers that you need to be good at listening for. #student #business
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7 answers
Lyndsay Capshaw
Online Math Teacher
56
Answers
Longmont, Colorado
Updated
Lyndsay’s Answer
Teachers!!!!! Kids really need teachers who will listen to them:)
I do not like children but thanks for your recommendation.
Naikay
Sarah M. Hughes
Product Engineering Team Lead
21
Answers
Auckland, New Zealand
Updated
Sarah M.’s Answer
Listening is a vital skill in all careers, in my experience. If you want to excel in a job, you need to understand the customer, the problem you are solving, and in many cases be able to communicate that clearly to the people who will help you deliver that result. Taking feedback, and learning from others will always help you take more from any opportunity and grow as a person and employee or business owner.
During my working career, I have had many roles, and at the heart of them has been a desire to help. That means understanding the person or situation you are working with, and taking it from there. This was true as I qualified in law, worked in a sales role, and as I moved into technical support, and later into a leadership role.
I'm now a business/solutions analyst in an Agile team, working in the finance/technology space. Understanding a user story, stakeholder needs, the business goals and the development team and processes all requires a curiosity, to learn and really hear the problems and solutions. Every day is different in this role, and I get to work with a collaborative team to solve customer problems. My role in the team is generally to learn about the customer or business problem, using many and various techniques to elicit requirements, and active listening and communication skills are vital for this. I then communicate that information to the team, developers, and liaise with stakeholders, communicate priorities, impacts and much more. If you like being part of a team solving problems, or analysing process or strategic issues for businesses, then this might be something you explore.
In addition to my every day role, I'm also passionate about positive social impact and inclusion/diversity, and listening skills is invaluable in this area, too - understanding individual stories, communities and challenging your own assumptions by asking questions and really hearing the answers.
I would recommend exploring communications courses generally, too. I've recently completed additional learning, and firmly believe you can't learn too much about communication! Not just listening, but understanding business communication, organisational stories, inter and intra personal communication skills, and much more. Being a good listener isn't enough - you need to know how to convey and process what you've heard, to really make that difference.
During my working career, I have had many roles, and at the heart of them has been a desire to help. That means understanding the person or situation you are working with, and taking it from there. This was true as I qualified in law, worked in a sales role, and as I moved into technical support, and later into a leadership role.
I'm now a business/solutions analyst in an Agile team, working in the finance/technology space. Understanding a user story, stakeholder needs, the business goals and the development team and processes all requires a curiosity, to learn and really hear the problems and solutions. Every day is different in this role, and I get to work with a collaborative team to solve customer problems. My role in the team is generally to learn about the customer or business problem, using many and various techniques to elicit requirements, and active listening and communication skills are vital for this. I then communicate that information to the team, developers, and liaise with stakeholders, communicate priorities, impacts and much more. If you like being part of a team solving problems, or analysing process or strategic issues for businesses, then this might be something you explore.
In addition to my every day role, I'm also passionate about positive social impact and inclusion/diversity, and listening skills is invaluable in this area, too - understanding individual stories, communities and challenging your own assumptions by asking questions and really hearing the answers.
I would recommend exploring communications courses generally, too. I've recently completed additional learning, and firmly believe you can't learn too much about communication! Not just listening, but understanding business communication, organisational stories, inter and intra personal communication skills, and much more. Being a good listener isn't enough - you need to know how to convey and process what you've heard, to really make that difference.
Stephanie Santiago
Learning & Development Leader
1
Answer
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Hello Naikay,
Along with the many amazing answers you've already received I cannot agree more with the fact that almost all careers will need some sort of listening skills. I have found that with outstanding listening skills you are able to impact both your customer's lives, your team's lives, and your personal life, as well.
I started out in customer service and honestly that was the best thing I could ever recommend. Customer Service and being the forefront of interacting with customers gives you the most insight into what it's like to hear and respond to different people, from all different walks of life. And the many amazing careers that I've had the opportunity to be a part of came from years of customer service.
Right now I'm living my dream and I am the first person that interacts with my company's new experts. I have to listen to these new experts every day. I have to create and encourage an environment where all that I come in contact with feel comfortable and encouraged to share their life stories, their previous history and skills, and feel encouraged to grow. I also work closely with my Learning and Development team that trains and instructs our talent and they also need to excel at listening and interacting with experts.
Whatever you do as long as listening remains your main goal you will go far in any career you choose.
Along with the many amazing answers you've already received I cannot agree more with the fact that almost all careers will need some sort of listening skills. I have found that with outstanding listening skills you are able to impact both your customer's lives, your team's lives, and your personal life, as well.
I started out in customer service and honestly that was the best thing I could ever recommend. Customer Service and being the forefront of interacting with customers gives you the most insight into what it's like to hear and respond to different people, from all different walks of life. And the many amazing careers that I've had the opportunity to be a part of came from years of customer service.
Right now I'm living my dream and I am the first person that interacts with my company's new experts. I have to listen to these new experts every day. I have to create and encourage an environment where all that I come in contact with feel comfortable and encouraged to share their life stories, their previous history and skills, and feel encouraged to grow. I also work closely with my Learning and Development team that trains and instructs our talent and they also need to excel at listening and interacting with experts.
Whatever you do as long as listening remains your main goal you will go far in any career you choose.
Carla Nelson
1
Answer
Updated
Carla’s Answer
Hi Naikay:
Being an executive coach or mentor or a 911 dispatcher requires great listening skills. Hone in on what you are really passionate about, and if it requires you to perfect your listening skills, head to your library where you can find books on how to be an active listener. Good luck!
Being an executive coach or mentor or a 911 dispatcher requires great listening skills. Hone in on what you are really passionate about, and if it requires you to perfect your listening skills, head to your library where you can find books on how to be an active listener. Good luck!
Paul Kelly
Consulting
5
Answers
Doha, Qatar
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Naikay,
As others have said, almost every career requires strong listening skills, so focus in on what interests you the most.
I work in technology consulting, which I got into because of my interest in technology.
If you're interested in business, I highly recommend consulting as a career option as it's very focused on listening and communication skills.
On a daily basis, you need to meet with clients and understand their requirements. Technical skills are usually less important than being able to understand their issues and get to the root of their problems. So listening is probably the most important skill you will use.
It's also a very diverse career as it lets you experience a number of different industries.
At the moment, I'm working with clients in healthcare, agriculture, IT and aviation, to name a few.
If you're interested in business but don't quite know what sector to be involved in, it's a great way to get experience in a variety of sectors very quickly. And of course, you'll get to use your listening skills while you do it.
Best regards,
Paul
If consulting is something you like the sound of, have a look at some consulting companies such as PwC, Accenture, KPMG, BCG etc. Review their websites and consider whether it's a career that you could picture yourself in.
As others have said, almost every career requires strong listening skills, so focus in on what interests you the most.
I work in technology consulting, which I got into because of my interest in technology.
If you're interested in business, I highly recommend consulting as a career option as it's very focused on listening and communication skills.
On a daily basis, you need to meet with clients and understand their requirements. Technical skills are usually less important than being able to understand their issues and get to the root of their problems. So listening is probably the most important skill you will use.
It's also a very diverse career as it lets you experience a number of different industries.
At the moment, I'm working with clients in healthcare, agriculture, IT and aviation, to name a few.
If you're interested in business but don't quite know what sector to be involved in, it's a great way to get experience in a variety of sectors very quickly. And of course, you'll get to use your listening skills while you do it.
Best regards,
Paul
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Emily Bentley
Senior Pension Benefit Analyst/Jr. Project Manager
17
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Naikay!
In addition to the other great suggestions, you can consider going into social working, therapy(which has many different options such as behavior health or physical health), translators, or working in the Human Resources department. All of these help people directly by you listening to their needs. That being said, I definitely agree that every career path can offer positions that need great listeners. Even in my job as an analyst, I need to ensure I'm listening to directions, listening to local and international guidelines, and listening to my coworkers/managers. I feel this skill is key to doing well in careers(as well as relationships) in life.
The key here will be finding what you're interested in addition to listening (analytics, just helping people in general, language, etc.). Once you have a few more ideas, I recommend looking into the details of what this career path would look like and the different options. From here, I am sure you'll find several options in whatever you choose that involve being good listeners.
Best of luck!
Emily
In addition to the other great suggestions, you can consider going into social working, therapy(which has many different options such as behavior health or physical health), translators, or working in the Human Resources department. All of these help people directly by you listening to their needs. That being said, I definitely agree that every career path can offer positions that need great listeners. Even in my job as an analyst, I need to ensure I'm listening to directions, listening to local and international guidelines, and listening to my coworkers/managers. I feel this skill is key to doing well in careers(as well as relationships) in life.
The key here will be finding what you're interested in addition to listening (analytics, just helping people in general, language, etc.). Once you have a few more ideas, I recommend looking into the details of what this career path would look like and the different options. From here, I am sure you'll find several options in whatever you choose that involve being good listeners.
Best of luck!
Emily
Mark Morgan
Telecom Engineer/Truck Driver
148
Answers
Newburgh, Kentucky
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Naikay!
I consider myself a good listener and to be honest, I think just about every career path can use great listeners. Just say'n...
With that said, just about any career that deals with the public or customer service. Think about doctors, lawyers, police, etc. Specifically, think about a police officer taking a statement from a victim. Think about a doctor getting a description of a patient's symptoms... They have to be great listeners and they have to be observant and from your symptoms, recognize what you're not telling them.
Even a food service worker needs to be a good listener. Otherwise your food order might end up being wrong! When you describe the problems you're having with your vehicle or the service you'd like performed, the mechanic needs to be a good listener.
When you're a hiring manager and you're conducting an interview... If you want the right person for the job, you have to ask the right questions and you really have to listen.
Hope this helps!!
Mark
I consider myself a good listener and to be honest, I think just about every career path can use great listeners. Just say'n...
With that said, just about any career that deals with the public or customer service. Think about doctors, lawyers, police, etc. Specifically, think about a police officer taking a statement from a victim. Think about a doctor getting a description of a patient's symptoms... They have to be great listeners and they have to be observant and from your symptoms, recognize what you're not telling them.
Even a food service worker needs to be a good listener. Otherwise your food order might end up being wrong! When you describe the problems you're having with your vehicle or the service you'd like performed, the mechanic needs to be a good listener.
When you're a hiring manager and you're conducting an interview... If you want the right person for the job, you have to ask the right questions and you really have to listen.
Hope this helps!!
Mark