In a survey of 400 recent college graduates and 425 HR professionals,
44% of HR professionals said they'd hire an applicant with superior "people" skills over one with exceptional "hard" skills.
65% of HR professionals said teamwork and collaboration are the most foundational people skills—yet 40% think these skills are lacking in new hires.
47% of HR professionals believe the pandemic has deteriorated employees' people skills.
93% of recent college grads and 74% of HR professionals believe that higher education should formalize opportunities to hone people skills.
