How emotional intelligence can land you a job

The ability to understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others is a skill that all professionals need. This is emotional intelligence (EQ) and it helps you to interpret verbal and nonverbal signals from others so you can communicate well and build positive working relationships.

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It's not just a nice-to-have soft skill either; rather, it is one of the most sought-after by employers, LinkedIn research shows. It can also determine how well you do in your job. A study comparing EQ with more than 30 other workplace skills found that it was the most important factor for work performance, according to Top Resume.

According to Harvard Business School, EQ is typically broken down into four core competencies:

1. Self-awareness
2. Self-management
3. Social awareness
4. Relationship management

In a job market where you need to differentiate yourself, showing strong EQ can help get you noticed. So how can you flex yours when it comes to landing a job? Read on for expert tips on how to harness and develop your EQ, to build the career you want.

To make a great impression on a potential employer, the trick is to break through the myriad of biases that hamper decision making in hiring, says Dr Marcia Goddard, a neuroscientist.?

"In-group/out-group bias, halo/horn effect, confirmation bias – the recruitment process is rife with mental shortcuts that can either work for you, or very much against you, without anyone realising it."?

As Goddard explains, EQ, specifically cognitive empathy, can significantly increase your chances of becoming the top candidate in a job interview. By understanding what other people are thinking and feeling, you can align your behaviour in social situations. Some people are naturally better at it, but it is a skill you can develop too, she says.

"If you apply all of these techniques, you will activate your cognitive empathy and, more importantly, you will activate the interviewer's neural reward system. This means they will label the interview as a rewarding experience, which will trigger their motivation to want to engage with you again," says Goddard.

Most employers place a high value on emotional intelligence and are more likely to promote an employee with a higher EQ than one who may possess a higher IQ, says Galyna Daniel, a career advisor and head of business relations at Eccoci.?

Candidates can leverage this skill and stand out during job interviews by recognising visual cues and body language, says Daniel. Another way to do so is through storytelling and, as Goddard also pointed out, asking the right questions – at the right time.?

"Storytelling can become one of the most powerful ways to communicate that your emotional intelligence is at the right level – be it sharing your career success stories, talking about professionals failures and lessons, or giving examples on how you've done as a leader or teammate," says Daniel.

Asking good questions is another indicator of high EQ, she says, "especially when you show a genuine interest in your future team, management, and workplace culture".??

"And, of course, nothing can beat enthusiasm and responsiveness."

As a job seeker, EQ can give you an edge in interview and networking, says Jan Tegze, a job search expert and director of talent acquisition. But strengthening this skill goes far beyond job hunting: "it's a gift that keeps giving throughout your career."

Organisations are grappling with constant changes, challenges and disruptive innovations such as AI, which means leaders with high levels of EQ have never been more important.

Those who are emotionally intelligent tend to be more resilient, adaptive and can manage change effectively, says Tegze. "They can inspire and motivate their teams and handle the ambiguity and complexity of change."

Tegze suggests focusing on some key areas to build your EQ: developing self-awareness, learning how to regulate your emotions, show empathy and communicate more effectively. By working on these elements, you'll be better equipped to:

It's not just about acing the job interview, however. Emotional intelligence is also crucial for building a successful career, says Liam Peoples, founder of Pack GTM recruitment firm. The best Software as a Service (SaaS) sales candidates he sees are experts at demonstrating high levels of EQ, and this sets them apart from the rest of the applicants.?

"Yes, there's a lot of sector-specific technical knowledge required for a position in SaaS sales," says Peoples, "But the candidates who also show a natural ability to connect with people on a deeper level are the ones who really shine."

There are plenty of ways to demonstrate this skill in interviews, but candidates who stand out to Peoples tend to maintain a positive "glass is half full" energy, connect with the interviewer on a deeper, more personal level and share stories about their losses – not just their wins.

In summary, emotional intelligence is a key skill for job seekers and those looking to build a successful career. By practising self-awareness, regulating your emotions, showing empathy and communicating effectively, you can showcase your EQ and set yourself apart in the competitive job market.

?? A healthy work-life balance is not only crucial to the happiness and wellbeing of employees – employers can also benefit from improved productivity.

? Initiatives such as flexible hours, the option to work remotely, guidelines on after-hours communication and employee assistance programmes can all help foster a culture that promotes a positive work-life balance.

?? We asked wellbeing and employee experience experts for their insights on what companies can do. Check out the recommendations from Molly Johnson-Jones , Lee Chambers , Anna Gullstrand , Dr. Dale Whelehan and Michal Oshman by clicking the link below.

Want to learn more about how to develop your emotional intelligence? Try this free LinkedIn Learning course by psychologist and author Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts . She aims to help you become more self-aware so that you can identify triggers that may hijack your performance.

In the past, ageism was understood to be prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination targeted at older employees. But with an increasingly diverse and multigenerational workforce, age bias now occurs across the career life cycle – especially for women.

Why does this happen? What impact can it have, not only on women, but on the workplace in general? And, what can be done to fix the problem?

?? Senior leadership advisor and author of Women Leading the Way, Claudia de Castro Caldeirinha , will join us for a Get Hired Europe LIVE event to share her insights on this issue.

?? Tuesday, 9 April

?? 11am CET

Click below to register to attend and drop your questions in the comments!

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By Jennifer Ryan – editor at LinkedIn News Europe & LinkedIn News UK, covering jobs and career development.