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Employers value emotional intelligence over high IQs

Posted on August 18th, 2011 Read time: 1 minutes

While employers value college degrees and all the trappings of a good education among permanent and temporary workers, a recent survey revealed that a human resources administration may value emotional intelligence over book smarts when hiring.

According to CareerBuilder, 34 percent of surveyed hiring managers reported that they put a greater emphasis on EI when reviewing applicants, while 71 percent said they value EI over an employee's IQ.

Furthermore, 59 percent of employers said they wouldn't hire someone with a high IQ if they had low EI, and that those with a high EI are also more likely to be promoted.

"In a recovering economy, employers want people who can effectively make decisions in stressful situations and can empathize with the needs of their colleagues and clients to deliver the best results," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.

EI can translate in many facets of the office, from managing conflict to fostering leadership skills to promoting productivity.

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