Companies do look for employees having sound communication skills. Sometimes it is also in regard to the job profile, if one is required to have client-developer interactions then having good communication skills will be looked into. On the other hand, few companies get professional trainers to train employees in soft skills and communication. So i guess it depends on the job profile and the company that one gets into.

Well, irrespective to me suggests that you need strong communication skills, or your technical background won't even be considered. It's not as extreme as that, at least not everywhere. If you have amazing technical skills, it can compensate for some communication skills, but it's still a disadvantage.

Note that I'm talking about professional communication. Things like explaining problems/solutions, promoting your technical views, and taking the initiative to report when there are delays.

I think that's much easier to learn than being a fascinating person to communicate with, so I'd suggests trying to work on it, if you feel it's a problem.

As for fairness, poor professional communication can cause a company to be less profitable. That's all the reason they need to not hire you. I don't know if it's fair, but it's not the time of fair that makes you entitled to it.

At the starting phase of developer, it's not really important. But when you will be like a Senior/Architect/HOD it's must at that stage you need lots of decision making meeting/planing/debates. So at the starting phase build your tech skills. And make week-end focus on your communication skills.

I believe that communication skill is not really important with supper talents, but may become a drag for regular talents.

Yes, people do get rejected due to poor communication skills and I think it's fair. As Siddarthan said, if you aren't able to communicate well you may have hard time climbing up the ladder. I see two immediate problems when a company hires a great developer with poor communication skills:

• Client <> Developer interaction is going to be a problem.
• If the developer is too weak in communication, and works in a team it's very difficult for the team to engage in meaningful discussions/conversations.

However, communication is a skill and can be acquired if you are committed enough and are willing to step out of your comfort zone.

It's very possible. While everybody appreciates talent, it's very important to communicate well to your team members. When that falls off the track, things start falling apart.

Also, it's going to be hard to climb up the ladder in a firm, when communication is a problem. For instance, the person wouldn't be promoted to the role of a lead engineer or a role that faces your leadership. People in the leadership have very limited time and it's important to communicate to them crisply and briefly.

Imagine going to a meeting with Jeff Bezos, he's not gonna give more than two mins to even senior SVPs. That being said, bad communication shouldn't deter a candidate from applying. Everybody can pick it up :)

You might get rejected ! But, for most of the interviews there will be no issue if you have sound technical knowledge for the position you are applying.