Are we about to enter a new touchy-feely era in hiring? New research says employers value “emotional intelligence” over IQ in job applicants.
According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, 34% of hiring managers said they’re placing greater emphasis on emotional intelligence in hiring and promotion decisions these days. Seventy-one percent said they value emotional intelligence in an employee more than IQ.
The poll indicates that emotional intelligence — defined by CareerBuilder as “a person’s ability to control emotions, to sense, understand and react to others’ emotions, and manage relationships” — allows workers to:
- stay calm under pressure
- resolve conflict effectively
- show empathy to their team members and react accordingly
- lead by example, and
- make more thoughtful business decisions.
What are the behaviors and qualities of those with high EI?
Survey participants said:
- they admit and learn from their mistakes
- they can keep emotions in check and have thoughtful discussions on tough issues
- they listen as much or more than they talk
- they take criticism well, and
- they show grace under pressure.
That all sounds good to us. HR’s new challenge: What questions will you ask applicants to find out if they have those qualities?
