Have you ever hired a person who had a rocking resume? Their education level and performance was off the charts, but you brought them into the job and they did not do as you hoped. Just because an individual is book smart, does not mean they will do a good job in your business.

What Else is There to Look at Besides The IQ of a Candidate?

That is a good question. If a potential candidate’s IQ does not necessarily mean they will be a good fit, what else should you be looking for?

Recently, people are coming to better understand that the best candidates are not always the top of their class. Just because they present themselves as book smart does not mean they are people smart.

When you really think about it, someone with a higher IQ does not always relate well to the average person. They have a way of thinking that goes over the heads of the world around them. For this reason, often they may not have a highly developed emotional intelligence (EQ).

What is EQ or Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Quotient is the ability to sense, understand and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions.

EQ encompasses a wide range of abilities that are important to a working environment. Here are some of the key traits of someone that has a high EQ.

1. They are self-aware – in order for a person to be a good leader, they need to have good self-awareness. You want that individual to know their limitations, weaknesses, and understand their own emotions. Otherwise, you end up with a person that takes on an unrealistic workload. Also, they are more likely to go back and forth with their moodiness, which can affect their work performance.
2. They have empathy toward others – this is a big problem for a lot of people. Empathy is vital when it comes to meeting the needs of your customer’s as well as working in a close environment with other employees.
3. They are realists – there is nothing wrong with dreaming or wishing for the ideal. However, those that are emotionally intelligent see a situation for what it is. They do not get stuck on what the situation should be, but rather accept the situation as it is and work towards a successful outcome.
4. Controls impulses – individuals that do not know how to control their own impulses are not a good fit for businesses that have many employees. When a person lashes out in anger, or does not think before they speak, it can cause a lot of tension. Those that have a high EQ know how to control themselves.

In order to get an employee that is right for your business, you have to look at more than just an IQ. In fact, many businesses are getting away from hiring individuals based off of education. They hire based off of personality, and then they train them for the job at hand.

If you have any questions about this article, or about would like more information on EQ,

contact us today!

Written for us by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC.

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