How can you use emotional intelligence to overcome setbacks in your job search?

1 Identify your emotions

The first step to using EI is to recognize and name your emotions, rather than suppressing or ignoring them. This can help you reduce their intensity and find healthy ways to express them. For example, if you feel angry or disappointed after a rejection, you can acknowledge these feelings and vent them to a trusted friend or write them down in a journal. By doing this, you can avoid letting negative emotions affect your self-esteem, motivation, or performance in future opportunities.

2 Learn from feedback

Another way to use EI is to seek and accept feedback, both positive and negative, as a source of learning and improvement. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and achievements. It can also help you prepare for common interview questions and scenarios, and address any gaps or concerns that employers may have. Instead of taking feedback personally or defensively, you can use it to enhance your confidence and competence.

3 Empathize with others

A third way to use EI is to empathize with others, such as recruiters, hiring managers, and network contacts. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it can help you build rapport and trust with them. For example, you can empathize with the challenges and pressures that recruiters and hiring managers face, and show them that you are a solution-oriented and adaptable candidate. You can also empathize with the needs and interests of your network contacts, and offer them value and support, rather than asking for favors.

4 Manage stress

A fourth way to use EI is to manage stress, which can affect your physical and mental health, as well as your job search performance. Stress can impair your focus, memory, creativity, and communication skills, and make you more prone to errors and mistakes. To manage stress, you can use various strategies, such as breathing exercises, meditation, physical activity, hobbies, or social support. By doing this, you can calm your nervous system, boost your mood, and increase your resilience.