The 2006 study referred to above--conducted by The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resources Management--also measured the job readiness of work entrants immediately following high school and two-year college graduates. Not surprisingly, these groups showed even greater deficiencies in their applied skills. To see the full study: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/FINAL_REPORT_PDF09-29-06.pdf

Klaus describes hard skills as the technical expertise needed to get the job done, whereas soft skills include about everything else. "Soft skills aren't just those touchy-feely people skills," she says. "When applied in the workplace, they're what allow everyone to more effectively use their hard skills."

So, why aren't more young people excelling in the soft skills arena?

"For starters," says Klaus, "they haven't become part of the core curriculum at most institutions. Even at business schools, deans tell me they don't have time to teach soft skills like communication and leadership. So the focus stays on quantitative skills such as economics and statistics. My response to them is always this: You don't have time not to teach the soft skills because they are the very skills that will stall or derail a career!"

Until recently, however, most companies thought that hiring the brightest candidates with the best academic credentials and technical skills would guarantee their firm's success. Klaus adds, "Managers had a hard time valuing something called soft in their hard-charging, results-driven world. They doubted that soft skills could impact the bottom line."

But they do. And companies are starting to wake up to the fact that success on the job requires an array of soft skills competency. It requires communicating in ways that people can understand you and become excited about what you're saying. It requires collaboration with people from different backgrounds, genders, and generations, sometimes with people from across the globe. It requires managing your time and workload wisely while handling your boss and dealing with criticism. Ultimately, it requires managing yourself and your own career.

So, where does all of this leave the millions of new graduates who may have been short-changed in the soft skills department during their education?

Young people looking for jobs can stand out from the crowd by showcasing their soft skills savvy during the hiring process, particularly in areas where research demonstrates that few of their peers excel: oral and written communication, professionalism, work ethic, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Klaus offers the following soft skills do's and don'ts for the job hunt:

1. Proof, proof, and then proof again all written correspondence--that means inquiries, cover letters, resumes, and thank you notes. Whether you are going to e-mail, snail mail or hand deliver a document, nothing will land your chances in the garbage can or recycle bin faster than careless proofreading. Oh, and no resumes with coffee stains either!

2. Forget about one-size-fits-all communication. Whether you're addressing one or thousands, speaking or writing, it's all the same. You need to make a connection with the audience and customize your message. The "throw spaghetti against the wall and see if it sticks approach" simply doesn't work.

3. Do research on the firm and, if possible, on the person who will be interviewing you. That way you will be able to relate to them, know what they're looking for in an employee, and anticipate zingers--those difficult questions that can really throw you off your game when you aren't prepared.

4. Get used to bragging--the right way of course. Don't read directly from your resume during a job interview like some robot. When you self promote, speak conversationally about your accomplishments just as you would with a friend. Leave out the "likes" and "you knows," slang, and curse words.

5. Remember, everything communicates during your job interview, including greeting others with a smile, extending a firm hand (make it strong because no one likes shaking hands with a fish), establishing direct eye contact, and if you're eating or drinking together, your table manners.

6. Listen carefully and don't interrupt.

7. Show you are personally accountable. Nothing will raise eyebrows faster than a job candidate who has a hint of being a whiner in their demeanor. Blaming others always shows a lack of maturity and class. No boss wants to deal with a potential prima donna.

8. Weave in examples that are indicative of a strong work ethic and show that you are someone who can be counted on not only to get work in on time but to go the extra mile when needed.

9. Highlight that you can handle responsibility by providing an example from a previous job. If you have a limited employment history, draw on situations such as volunteering or doing an internship while attending school full time.

10. Ask yourself: What have I done that demonstrates my problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities? For instance, one graduate who had little work experience used an example of addressing a security problem on campus by getting involved with student government and organizing a "night owl" patrol program. This showed her future employer her commitment to community in addition to her ingenuity, accountability and ability to problem-solve.

An online "Take 24" automated self-assessment quiz that tests and tallies an individual's soft skills savvy in a number of key areas is available at www.peggyklaus.com. People respond to 24 items online and receive instant feedback on which soft skills areas they need to improve, along with customized advice from Klaus.

Article courtesy of Jane Rohman & Associates, targeted world class public relations