Understanding EQ and IQ in the Hiring Process

February 27, 2025

Hiring processes have considerably changed and adapted in the current competitive labor environment. Employers wish to get more than just qualifications and experience, thus two significant aspects which determine the hiring decision are Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Intelligent Quotient (IQ). These two facets are part of an individual’s overall competency which consists of knowledge, skill, and attitude. Let us understand them in detail and see how they impact your career advancement opportunities.

What is EQ (Emotional Quotient)?

EQ is the ability of an individual to understand, control, evaluate, and express feelings. At the workplace, EQ is more than the normal emotions such as happiness and sadness. It involves emotional responses in various contexts like team dynamics, crisis, and stressful situations.

People with a high EQ are able to manage their emotions well while understanding the emotions of people around them. This ability to perceive emotions helps in forging quality interpersonal relationships which is a prerequisite in a corporate setting. Paritosh Sharma, an HR manager, believes that emotional intelligence is a vital quality for today’s job seekers; hence, EQ is measured during interviews.

For instance, your personal preferences about working with a few colleagues over the rest as well as your inclination towards some companies over others are premised on your perceptions. In the business environment, success is often predicated on these perceptions.

What Is IQ?

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a scale of your intellectual potential. While it is considered to be a quality one is born with, it can also be improved through education and experiences. People who excel in IQusually have an easier time understanding intricate ideas, reasoning, and functioning within a variety of problems.

For example, children who are able to swiftly memorize complicated math formulas present a prime demonstration of this trait. This score reflects your capability of critical thinking and speedy information processing. IQ is tied with other cognitive skills that aid in reasoning, language comprehension, and mathematics, which are essential in achieving success in software development, engineering, and scientific research.

EQ vs. IQ and Their Importance

Emotional intelligence can be a powerful asset in personal and career development compared to cognitive intelligence, IQ, which is vital for academic purposes. The golden statement often quoted is:

“A high IQ will get you through school. A high EQ will get you through life. ”

This explains that life does not often depend solely on one’s scholarly abilities, knowledge, and IQ level. In addition to this, high EQ people outperform others in coping with failure, recovering from setbacks, and working as part of a team.

How Can You Improve Your EQ?

To improve your EQ, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the best approach. This is why MIT and many other top companies train their staff in SEL training. This training equips people with skills on how to positively respond to varying emotional situations, perceptions, and social interactions.

It is hard to imagine how WhatsApp, which had only 19 employees, managed to grow in leaps and bounds only to later on be bought by Facebook for $20 billion. Their superior technical know how was important, but so too was their social cohesion and teamwork. The knowledge gained from SEL is important to all professionals since all professional dealings at the end of the day are social dealings.

How To Increase Your IQ?

Here are some distinct techniques to help improve your IQ.

Puzzles

Try starting with more difficult puzzles rather than the simple 2 or 3 block ones. Most puzzles will help your brain develop and help improve your problem solving skills.

Lateral Thinking

Lateral Thinking involves approaching issues in new, unique ways. For example, Elon Musk single handedly changed the space industry by creating rockets that are reusable. That is an example of lateral thinking.

Problem Solving Methods:

Try to split larger problems into smaller tasks. This is a technique used by most people with high IQ and it helps enhance efficiency in finishing each segment. For instance, getting ready for an interview can be split into researching the HR manager, familiarising, and understanding your role, as well trying to understand the company’s culture.

Building IQ in a Short Time

Below are eight steps that are easier to implement and can increase your IQ in a short time.

Play Chess

Chess improves effective logical reasoning and set strategic plans. You do not need to win but just playing often will help improve your mental sharpness.

Do Sprinters

Similar to how athletes engage in sprinting, you should try to work in short bursts of energy and focus, then switch it up and rest for periods of time. This will increase their attention span and speed.

Meditate

Engaging in meditation frequently helps clear the mind and also helps increase attention. Starting out with 15 minutes a day is enough to enhance your clarity of thought.

Sufficient Sleep Is Needed

Sleep directly affects your brain. Sleep for no less than 6 hours in order to recharge your brain.

Pick Up A Different Language

Picking up a different language works your brain in a different way and restructures it.

Study Music

Learning a musical instrument boosts cognitive skills. Get started using basic materials online.

Invent New Things

Try engaging in creative endeavors such as pottery and drawing as well as other crafts. New inventions foster creativity and better problem solving skills.

Watch Technicians Work

Whenever something undergoes repair, pay attention to what the technician is doing. Hands on learning helps with practical IQ.

Final Thought: Is It More Important To Have EQ Or IQ?

Both are important in relation to the work environment, but EQ is the one that gives the person success in a career. Employees with EQ can manage the rollercoaster of life and the emotions that come with it. Those with high EQ are better suited to cooperate with others and grow professionally and are also more likely to receive promotions.

Do not forget that IQ propels you intellectually, but EQ decides how you engage with society and all of your challenges. A combination of both strengths is essential to having an effective career.