Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Aug 2025

Professional Communication for Employability: A Qualitative Study of Graduate and Employer Insights

Maisarah Ahmad Kamil Universiti Teknologi MARA ; Sharifah Shahnaz Syed Husain Universiti Teknologi MARA ; Zaemah Abdul Kadir Universiti Teknologi MARA

Abstract

English professional communication competence is crucial for fresh graduates to succeed in the workplace and has been identified as a national priority in Malaysia to enhance employability. This study explores key attributes of that competence based on interviews with 12 employers and 9 graduates. Using a basic interpretive qualitative approach, 26 attributes were identified across four areas: linguistic, sociolinguistic, discourse, and strategic competence. The findings highlight the importance of aligning educational outcomes with workplace demands and offer insights that support curriculum development, targeted instruction, and assessment—informing policy and future research to enhance graduate readiness.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-08-26
DOI
10.1177/23294906251358387
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Topics
discourse analysis curriculum design assessment professional writing qualitative research
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