A survey by Robert Half Technology has found that more than one-third of CIOs plan to hire new IT graduates but CIOs believe that majority of the graduates lack interpersonal skills.
The survey was based on over 2,300 telephone interviews with CIOs at the US firms with 100 or more employees in 23 cities.
The survey found that 35% of CIOs are planning to hire new IT graduates in 2013, even though they complain that the new graduates are not ready for their first jobs.
More than one in four respondents said entry-level professionals aren’t prepared to contribute right away after being hired.
About 55% of the respondents said that IT graduates lack personal skills, while 29% said they lack technical skills and 17% felt business skills were lacking.
Robert Half Technology senior executive director John Reed said IT hiring managers are seeking candidates who not only possess technical abilities, but can also meet deadlines and work well with customers and colleagues.
"New IT graduates can distinguish themselves in the job market by demonstrating business acumen and solid interpersonal skills," Reed said.
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Reed noted that students and recent graduates can hone some of those sought-after soft skills by finding an internship or volunteering at nonprofit organisations, where they can interact with colleagues in a professional environment on a regular basis.
Robert Half Technology said IT workers can improve their nontechnical skills by focusing on communication, conflict resolution, teamwork and diplomacy.
