I would disagree, and say that proficiency in any given career is necessary, rather than just "being smart and sociable." And a valuable employee is a valuable employee. If they have ability, whether latent or developed, they have ability. if they have exceptional promise, bringing them on early will likely pay dividends later, even if there is a greater up-front cost. The problem is it's an investment, much like the stock market. And like in the stock market, you have investors with good and bad insight. It's all a game, in all honesty, though, and it usually comes down to saying the right things (which is why so many people bullshit their way through interviews and have no skills, and why many people with actual skills don't make it through -- they don't have the bullshit skills).

edit: > A very high number of people who aren't skilled at all try to get these jobs hoping its not really that big of a deal and they plan to fake their way through a job creating more work for the employees with these skills

This is absolutely true in every industry. EVERY industry.