Good Grades Are Not Enough in Today's Business World

By Mindy Thomas

Director of Career Planning and Placement

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

 

There are many young people walking around today who think that having good grades or a high grade-point average is all they need to be successful in their college career or land a good job when they graduate with their degree. I'm not saying that good grades should be minimized. They are very important, but there are other skills namely “social skills” that really make a difference in how people perceive you and whether you land your dream job.

Social skills are also called soft skills in today's marketplace and according to most employers many young people have missed out on learning these. Many employers that I talk with clearly are looking for good solid technical skills and “know-how.” But, they are also seeking employees that have good communication and social skills.

When we speak of having these skills, it comes across as soon as you meet someone. It's in the way they look at you and whether they make direct eye contact or just look away or down at their shoes. It's in the way they shake your hand and whether it's a firm handshake or a dead fish that is limp and floundering. When someone calls your name, do you respond with “what” or a more courteous “yes?” It even comes across when you answer the telephone in an upbeat, optimistic tone of voice or a tranced-out, dead-as-a-doornail “hello.”

Those are just a few examples. I am also talking about showing respect to others in a courteous and friendly manner. This is what they call having “people skills”. Even acknowledging other adults as they enter the room or office that you're in is very important. That's a common courtesy and the importance of having these kind of qualities are highly valued and critical in the business world. Social skills will assist you in getting the job you want and also help you get promoted.

Employers especially notice these finer points when they are interviewing candidates and many times they talk about “people skills and communication skills - verbal and writing skills” as the top desired characteristics that they are looking for. Think about it. What good is it to hire someone who has top technical talent but cannot communicate professionally? How could they really get this job done if they weren't an effective communicator? How can an employer position you with customers if you cannot present yourself solidly by not speaking well? You've heard of the old saying, “you can dress them up, but you can't take them out!”

I would wager that most successful people would agree that having good social and people skills are critical to one's success. But, don't take my word for it… Ask anyone you consider to be successful.

So, if you don't have this part of your act down, think about the next time you go for a job interview because ultimately if you don't get this concept, you're going to be in for a big time challenge. The idea is that you want people to believe “that you're on top of your game and that you have it together” but it isn't going to match when you show up not making direct eye contact, or giving them a strong handshake or responding with respect when they speak with you. Good grades cannot hide your social skills once you make contact with an employer. They might get you in for the interview, but they will not be enough to land you the job.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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