5 tips when looking for a new job over the age of 40

5 tips when looking for a new job over the age of 405 tips when looking for a new job over the age of 40When I look in the mirror, for the first 5 seconds I still see a twenty- year -old. Then the visible wrinkles around my eyes and jowls provide a friendly reminder that Im not twenty anymore. At that moment in the mirror, I challenge myself physically as I dont feel like Im over forty, and the face Im looking at cannot be accurate, but according to my birth certificate, it is. I mean, hell, I still feel young, so how can I look so different? Simply put, Im just a twenty-year-old that now has twenty-five years of work experience, a family, and has journeyed through the ups and downs of life. Even though this is what I believe, I now know others dont feel the saatkorn, especially when it comes to the workplace.Here is my recent reality check. Last year I left my corporate job of 14 years. I welches in a space where I had the opportunity to find a new job with a new company. I felt fre sh, excited and limitless. Although it had been a while since I last interviewed, I thought, No problem. Ive got this. I used to any get any job I wanted, so finding a new one should pretty be easy. After a few interviews, good interviews I thought, I wasnt getting hired. Frustration set in because I could not figure out what was so different this time around. After all, my resume was stronger and more accomplished than in my younger years.But something had changed. I aged.Call me naive, but I did not think that my age would be an obstacle in the workplace. I had heard this from other women over the years, but I chose not to believe them because certainly, it would never happen to me.Here is a true storyA sales recruiter was helping a sales manager fill an open position. The recruiter sent her a resume of a female candidate with a college graduation date of 1998. The sales manager abruptly turned down the resume. In addition, she let the recruiter know that she didnt want to see any resumes with college graduation dates prior to 2003. This was the sales managers criterion for what she deemed to be a viable candidate. Not experience, not achievements, not abilities. Simply age.This true story was painful for me to hear. Here was a woman selling out other women and contributing to the stigma that we fight every day and sadly her perspective is a harsh reality. However, let this statistic give you another reality check and perspective. In 2024, women over 65 will make up roughly the same percentage of the female workforce as older men do of the male workforce. Additionally, twice as many women over 55 will be in the labor force as women ages 16-24.Knowing the stigma, knowing the numbers, and the reality, what is the best way to approach finding a new job later in life? Here are 5 tips when looking for a new job over the age of 401. Use your networkSending our resumes to career websites will do nothing for us. We get pushed aside as we are categorized. The tip her e is to use our network of colleagues, former business associates, and friends to find companies who are hiring and will have a genuine interest in what we can do for their organizations. This method does work. Finding like-minded individuals with the same goals of working smart and getting stuff done will provide the best platform for finding a new working environment.2. Show off your skillsAt this point in our careers, we have a proven list of accomplishments and skillsets. We have navigated some of our toughest times and have already been through the learning. Because of this we require less training and possess the right skills, because yeah, we know how to do it. We need to show off our confidence and accolades to a potential employer. They need to know that our leadership skills and experience will fit in flawlessly with their company.3. Be boldWe can ask harder questions in the interview process and as an employee. Perhaps questions that challenge company methods or goals. If anything as women, unfortunately, we have been taught to be compliant and agreeable to get through the stepping -stones of our careers. We dont have to do that anymore. We have arrived. Work experience has taught us to think quickly, make decisions and share opinions. We have a lot to teach, and hiring companies need to appreciate this.4. Seek a mentor, be a mentorIn recent weeks I have had great women mentor me. Women of a certain age. Women who are drama free, make sh*t happen and dont sweat the small stuff. I appreciate them, have learned from them and have committed to do the same for others. This is important as this will help us change the tide and break the stigma.5. We are already tech-savvyMuch to the disbelief of others, age doesnt stifle our tech knowledge. Its who we are as a society. Most of us already use work-related apps like Zoom, Slack, Dropbox, and others. The point is, our tech knowledge isnt lacking, so that is no excuse for hiring companies or managers. We are already there. This is not a hindrance.The battle continues. In my earlier years as a woman in the corporate world, I fought to make a mark. Now, Im fighting the same female battle in addition to 20+ years of life and work experience. This should get easier, shouldnt it? It doesnt, so it is up to us to change it. We have to change the mindset by challenging the current stigma. Because we have arrived and we are not going anywhere.Holly Caplan is a workplace issues expert, award-winning manager and author of Surviving the D-ck Clique A Girls Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World. For more information, please visit,www.hollycaplan.comand connect with her on Twitter, hollymcaplan.

Here are the top places people fall asleep on the job

Here are the top places people fall asleep on the jobHere are the top places people fall asleep on the jobHow many corners of the office is it possible to nap in? Recent research shows that people have gotten creative, whether they meant to or it happened accidentally.Amerisleep surveyed more than 1,000 people viaAmazons Mechanical Turk and revealed the fruchtwein popular places respondents admitted theysleptat work, broken down by industry.Where people catch Zs on the jobDesks, offices, meeting rooms - and even cars - are among the most popular places where people say theyve caught up on their rest while at work.While offices and other seem to be the least appealing spots for sleeping employees, meeting rooms and desks/cubicles are the most popular, especially among employees in finance, technology, government, and education. The car seems to fall in the middle in terms of popularity, most-often used by people in the medical field, education, and government.But how do people feel about sleeping on the job overall?The research also shows that among people who say they have done so, 34% have deemed it unacceptable, versus 46.4% who think its ok. But among people who say they havent ventured there,79.3% think its unacceptable, while 11% think it isnt a problem.But while 21% of people said theyd been caught snoozing on the job, 49.7% said it went nowhere, compared to 11% who got a written warning and 35.3% who got a verbal warning. Just 4% said other.

How Humanities Courses Can Help You Land a Job After College

How Humanities Courses Can Help You Land a Job After CollegeHow Humanities Courses Can Help You Land a Job After CollegeOver the past few years, educators have stressed the increasing demands for college graduates educated in the fields of in science, technology, engineering, and math, believing it is necessary for the U.S. to remain competitive in the international economy.Government officials have taken notice of the lack of STEM graduates as well. The Obama administration recently aimed to increase the number of STEM graduates in the higher education system by a million students before 2022. Despite increased pressure from government officials, educators, and industries pleading for qualified workers, the impending STEM shortage has continued to be a major concernand with it came harsh criticisms of those who study the humanities and liberal arts. In spite of this, experts are beginning to point out that education in the liberal arts is not without its merit in the modern workplac e. In fact, liberal arts skills are important in every profession, and taking advantage of humanities courses while youre in college will only make you more hirable after graduation. The reason? Studies in the humanities and social sciences have been proven to aid in the development of soft skills, which are invaluable in todays workplace. Recent studies by CareerBuilder found that 77 percent of employers surveyed agree that soft skills are just as important as hard skills. A separate survey by Harris Poll found that 16 percent surveyed said that they value soft skills more than hard skills when considering candidates for a position.More than ever, employers are investing in people that positively contribute to their company culture, have problem solving abilities, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt to new situations in plus-rechnen the ability to perform a specific function of the job. In fact, large companies all over the world have indicated that these abilities are vital to their success.Its in Apples DNA that technology alone is not enough, Steve Jobs mused in 2010. Its technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing. Other tech CEOs throughout the country have voiced similar opinions.Students who pursue degrees rich in humanities courses prove to be well polished students with excellent soft skills. These graduates are well equipped to effectively manage people and time, and can come up with creative, out of the box solutions to problems. Additionally, those who study the humanities are also adept writers and communicators, which are beneficial skills in any job market. Furthermore, in a global economy where technology and business are growing at an alarming rate, employers value students who can think critically and respond quickly to rapidly changing industries. For Georgia Nugent, a former president of Kenyon College, this consideration is of utmost importance. Its a ho rrible irony that at the very moment the world has become more complex, were encouraging our young people to be specialized in one task, Nugent tells FastCompany. The liberal arts are still relevant because they prepare students to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.While Americas STEM shortage cannot be ignored, its clear that leaders in the technology and business sectors have rapidly begun embracing job seekers who not only have the technical skills required to succeed at the job, but have the additional soft skills necessary to adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape. Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

17 Counterintuitive Things Successful People Do

17 Counterintuitive Things Successful People Do17 Counterintuitive Things Successful People DoEver wonder what makes successful people so- well, successful? Theres no one thing, of course, but Jason Nazar, Co-founder and CEO of Docstoc recently analyzed the most successful people he knows and came up with a list of common themes. And turns out, they might surprise you.Check out this infographic to see what he discovered about the counterintuitive habits of highly successful people.Infographic courtesy of RODA Marketing.Photo of successful woman courtesy of Shutterstock.

The top 5 reasons you need everything in writing!

The top 5 reasons you need everything in writingThe top 5 reasons you need everything in writingSelf-Assessment Quiz True or FalseWhen it comes to people I trust, I can take them at their word.Reputable companies dont give employees the runaround.A verbal agreement is liquid gold in the business world.Did your mama ever tell you Follow the actions, not the words? Well, mama knew what she welches talking about, especially when it comes to your career. There is nothing worse than being strung along. Whether in a relationship or on the job (especiallyon the job), nobody wants to be kept waiting for whats been promised. And trust me when I tell you the best way to ensure this doesnt happen to you is to ask for everything - and I do mean EVERYTHANG - in writing. So I hope you answered FALSE to each and every question above.Lets use what happened to my friend as an example. He essentially left one sinking ship of a job and jumped into a frying pan at another company in order to stay in his industry and still have a j-o-b. Well, when he jumped into the frying pan, which welches on fire due to a crisis, he was promised that if he took the position immediately, he would be given a raise and his duties and position would change once they got through this very rough patch. Because of my friends integrity, he put his head down and went to work. He did such great work that he just knew that when it was time for his quarterly review, there would be talk of the promised pay raise and job change. Do you know that one year later he is still waiting? And because he was so excited just to have a job and trusted the integrity of the hiring manager, he failed to get the finer details of the agreement regarding the new duties and salary increase in writing. Big mistake. Or YUGE to quote one politico known for hyperbole.It can be intimidating to get things in writing, especially when the onus is on you to ask for it, but it really is for your own protection. Here are five reasons why anything and everything concerning your career should be written upBosses move on, but the promises they made to you shouldnt.Hiring managers get amnesia, intentionally or unintentionally.Details that are specified in writing cant be disputed, so everyone has clarity.You can better CYA (cover your azz) if its in writing.You never know when youll need proof.These days, getting all the finer details in writing doesnt have to be uncomfortable. In fact, thanks to emaille, social media platforms that are all about building your network and enhancing employability (think LinkedIn), and text messaging, you can Hansel-andGretel it and leave a trail that takes you back to what was promised to you.It can be as simple as a confirmation email that saysHi (bosss name),I just wanted to let you know how excited I am about our conversation earlier today. I am looking forward to having the bigger cubicle space by the end of this month. I am copying (so-and-so) on this message, so they will be pr epared to help with the move, if necessary. Ive assigned a follow-up flag to this message to ensure everything goes smoothly on the scheduled date of April 29, 2018. Thanks again for making this happen.Boom You have written verification that a conversation actually happened on a particular date.While emailing and texting arent formal contracts, they are valid forms of written communication. They have staying power and make it a tad more difficult to dispute that a conversation about a certain topic took place.In the example of my friend, luckily he did have his original offer in writing, but it didnt define adate. He is currently seeking a lawyer to help him get what was promised. He now knows the importance of getting all the facts nailed down in writing up front.And let this be your takeaway message for today even if you think you trust the person making you the promise of a promotion, job, or new corner geschftszimmer and even if you think nothing can go wrong between the promise and its execution, dont fall prey to the okey-doke. GET. IT. IN. WRITING.Cheryl Grace is the sassy aunt, best friend, and mentor youve always needed in your life. The successful jet-setting, global corporate executive founded the aspirational lifestyle brand Powerful Penny LLC. Her products, workshops and speeches probe, inspire and empower to ensure those who really want to can get to their next level of best. Her blogs on careers, prosperity, relationships, family, looking and living fabulously, and living a five-star life can be found atwww.powerfulpenny.com.

Using Resume Skills Section

Using Resume Skills Section The New Angle On Resume Skills Section Just Released Resume skills play a major function in getting you selected for any specific job. They will help you in your work and improve your efficiency and performance. Hard abilities, on the flip side, could be taught and learned on the way. Carefully reread the work description and choose which skills are completely essential for the job. You are unable to take the licensing exam unless youve been certified. Some say it is the hard skills that ought to be included, since theyre those that are simpler to quantify and measure, which means performance evaluation is more objective. The Dos and Donts of Resume Skills Section Skills resume are perfect for candidates without a lot of education or experience in their preferred field. Listing skills are able to help you stand out. Listing your skills provides a chance to showcase your abilities and experiences to prime employers for the remainder of your resum e. Your resume skills section is where to list each one of the abilities and accomplishments related to the job for which youre applying. You might be wondering how to arrange the skills you would like to include on your resume. Wherever you choose to place your skills on your resume, be certain to tailor your list of skills to the specific job. Try to remember, the majority of the special skills that you set on your resume needs to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. For example, jobs like engineering call for a considerable number of technical skills to perform, and technical skills have a tendency to be hard skills. Hard skills arent skills that are really hard to learn. Technical skills are either something youve got or you dont, but theyre always something which youre able to learn. Hard abilities, also called employability skills or technical abilities, can be quantified by your degree of expertise in the topic or year s of experience employing a particular technique or program. What Is So Fascinating About Resume Skills Section? The only thing you are going to want to avoid is adding weird hobbies. Do not consider anything else, especially the job youre applying for. By paying attention to the particular phrasing employed in the work description, youre know precisely what to concentrate on in your skills section. Bearing that in mind, obtaining a section that basically spells out your hard skills makes a whole lot of senseeven if it comes at the expense of a tiny redundancy. As everyone probably knows, its essential to maintain contact with your professional network, particularly during the work search. So you should be taking a look at the particular job description for keywords. Putting your skills section at the peak of your resume (below your intro and above your professional experience) places them in the spotlight in the place where they belong, and provides the hiring manager easy and quick accessibility to the information that theyre searching for. Then make a list of your matching skills that youre able to incorporate in your resume. What to Expect From Resume Skills Section? The hiring manager will pay more attention and receive a better idea of what you could do. You will be able to grasp the most suitable job in Gulf. See, the hiring manager is accustomed to seeing resume sections appear in a particular order. Irrespective of where you include your skills section on your resume, you can be certain that the hiring manager is likely to find it and definitely likely to ask about doing it. The Tried and True Method for Resume Skills Section in Step by Step Detail The skills section of your resume is a chance to give detail and context regarding what you need to provide an organization. Since many job seekers may list skills in another section of their resume, additionally, it is important to weave them into descriptions under every one of your prio r positions. The skills section of your resume shows employers youve got the abilities needed to be successful in the function. The trick to attracting a possible employer to read your resume is to incorporate a mix of both hard and soft abilities both in the section specializing in skills and throughout the remainder of the resume. Just make certain that you have captured all your pertinent skills in different sections. When youve done that, youre prepared to gather your Skills section. A Key Skills section, on the flip side, is listed at the very top of a resume. Your skills section stipulates a window into how much capability you are able to bring to the corporation. Employers today still look at the resume a critical bit of a work candidates file. Importance of Resume in Job Search When youre looking for work, you will need to compose an application and send it to the provider. A. Functional resumes have often been called problem solving resumes in they permit you to or ganize your resume by functional skills instead of purely chronological purchase.

How to Heat Up Your Talent Search - Spark Hire

How to Heat Up Yur Talent Search - Spark HireThis episode of The Recruiting Reel is a must-watch for those interested in social recruiting. Andy Headworth offers tips on how to get more involved with your social recruitment efforts to attract highly qualified candidates.TheRecruitingReel Episode 4 is live Featuring andyheadworth and AllThingsBiz Watch it hereClick To TweetHeres the transcript of the episodeJosh TolanHey everyone, this isJosh Tolan, the CEO of Spark Hire, the leading video interviewing platform used by thousands of organizations around the world.And this is The Recruiting Reel, a video series where we discuss real recruiting challenges with prominent recruiting experts so you walk awaywith actionable tips you can apply to your own recruiting.The expert on todays show isAndy Headworth, the Managing Director of Sirona Consulting. Andy is a best selling author, keynote speaker, and runs an award-winning blog focused on social recruiting. Andy helps companies improve thei r end-to-end recruitment strategy but focusing on newtechnologies, such associal media. So yeah, Andy knows his stuff.The topic of todays episode is How to Heat Up Your Talent Search. Naturally, Andy comes to the show with a social recruiting strategy that you must be implementing if you want to connect with the most highly sought after candidates for your organization. Take it away, AndyAndy Headworth Hi, Im Andy Headworth from Sirona Consulting, also the author of the new book Social Media Recruitment.When it comes to sourcing talent, theres one obvious area that recruiters can go to, and yet for some reason they dont. Who best to ask where to engage similar-minded talent than in the groups of the talent youre trying to recruit?Go to the teams that youre looking to place people into, and you can do this whether youre an agency or a corporate, and ask them which social networks, which social communities, that they go to to talk to their peer groups.The reason I do this is that weal l have on average to latest stats, 5 and a half social networks each. So that means theyre not just all on LinkedIn or Facebook, theres other communities they go to. These will be the places you need to go to recruit. Whether its Dribbble, Behance, Github, StackOverflow, or Meetup, whatever it may be, find out where it is, go and explore, set yourself a profile up, and start to engage with the exact audience that your peer group are looking to recruit.Josh Tolan Makes total sense right? Especially if youre looking to connect withcandidates with a very specific skill set. Dont guess where to find them. Dont spray and pray with your job advertising and social media postings. Talk totalent youve already connected with and find out where folks just like them are hanging out and become active in those social communities.I want to thank todays expert, Andy Headworth. I encourage you to check out his website atsironaconsulting.comand while youre there, readtheir award-winning blog, Sirona Says. Follow Andy on Twitter andyheadworth and connect with him on LinkedIn using the URL below. For more information onsocial recruiting strategies, check out Andys book Social Media Recruitment.Thanks for watching The Recruiting Reel for additional HR and recruiting content, head over to hr.sparkhire.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Also, follow us on Twitter, sparkhire. And subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to know about the newest episodes of The Recruiting Reel.Thank again for watching and happy recruiting

Candidate Rejection Letter and Email Examples

Candidate Rejection Letter and Email ExamplesCandidate Rejection Letter and Email ExamplesYouve just vorstellungsgesprched for a job and youre wondering if youll receive a notification if yure not chosen for an interview or offered a position. What does a rejection letter look like? Whats included in a candidate job rejection letter or emaille? Will the company even send one? Those are good questions. Many companies no longer sendrejection letters to applicantswho are not selected for a position. Often, there are simply so many applications that sending rejections would take the company a lot of time. Companies may also be concerned about the contents of the rejection letter, fearing everything from a lawsuit to recipients incorrectly reading a promise of a potential opportunity in the future. In some cases, companies may also be hedging their bets if they havent sent out an official rejection, they can still reach out to candidates in the future if a prospective hire doesnt work ou t after all. However, some companies do notify candidates who havent been chosen. If a company does sendjob rejection letters, you may be notified by email or mail that another candidate has been selected for the job. Candidate Rejection Letter and Email Examples The following are examples of the candidate rejection email message or letters you may receive. Subject Marketing Associate JobDear Ronald,As I mentioned during our recent phone conversation, we have offered ourMarketing Associate position to a different candidate.We also want you to know that we appreciate the time you invested in coming into our company for an interview. The team is grateful for the opportunity to speak with you.Best wishes as you continue your job search.Best,Ethan WindsorHR Manager for the Hiring Team ExpandSubject LineJob Application - Candidate NameThank you very much for your interest in employment opportunities with ABCD company.This message is to ingestalt you that we have selected a candidate who is a match for the job requirements of the position.We appreciate you taking the time to apply for employment with our company and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.Best regards,Hiring Manager ExpandHiring ManagerCompany NameCompany AddressCity, StateZip CodeDear Candidate Name,Thank you very much for your interest in employment opportunities with ABCD company.I am writing to inform you that we have selected the candidate whom we believe most closely matches the job requirements of the position.We appreciate you taking the time to interview with us and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.Best regards,Hiring Manager Expand Whats Included in a Rejection Letter As you can see from the example above, rejection letters tend to be light on specifics. This is both because of the volume of rejections that companies may have to send out and fear of lawsuits. Sending the same generic letter with every position, to every rejected candidate, is efficient a nd allows the company to have lawyers review the language a single time. A brief letter also doesnt leave any room for a candidate to make assumptions about the hiring process or whether they will be considered for future openings. Typically, rejection letters will simply convey the information that the position has been filled and also include some polite expression of wishing the candidate luck in job hunting. Since these notes are typically form letters, do not expect to see specifics for why your candidacy was not a good match. What to Do After You Receive a Rejection Letter Getting a rejection is never pleasant, no matter what form it takes. However, its better to have a definitive answer about a job than it is to wonder when or if youll hear back from the hiring manager. Give yourself a moment to mourn the missed opportunity after reading the rejection email, and then move on. Heres some advice onhow to handle job search rejection. Getting a rejection letter allows you to cross a job position off your list and turn your focus onto other job applications. Should You Ask Why You Werent Hired? Is it appropriate to ask for information on why you didnt get selected for an interview or, if you were interviewed, why you didnt get offered the position?If you have progressed to the interview stage, and have contact information for your interviewer, it is appropriate to reach out and request feedback. Hereshow to ask why you did not get the job. As with the rejection letters, many people will be reluctant to share information because of legal concerns. However, if a hiring manager or interviewer is willing to share feedback, it can be tremendously helpful. For example, that information could help you realize that you need to be answering a certain question differently, emphasizing different skills, or just presenting yourself in a slightly different manner. Take any feedback you receive to heart, even if it is difficult to hear. Then, perhaps, if the job b ecomes available again, you can reapply even though you were rejected before.

Learn More About the Global Health Insurance Company, Cigna

Learn More About the Global Health Insurance Company, CignaLearn More About the Global Health Insurance Company, CignaCigna Corporation is a global health insurance and services company with nearly 40,000 employees worldwide. Based in Bloomfield, CT, it welches formed in 1982 with the merger of the Connecticut General Corporation and INA Corporation. This company offers health insurance and a variety related products and services such as medical, dental, and supplemental insurance. There are also services available for behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care, benefits management, health coaching, condition management, group life, and accident and disability insurance. This American worldwide health services organization has been led by CEO David Cordani since 2009. It has also been noted that Cigna brings in over 39 billion USD since 2016. A Work-at-Home Company Cigna is namedone of thetop major corporations for telecommuting. In 2002, the company began a pilot work-at-home e mployment program, fruchtweinly aimed at claims workers and field health care workers. Today, more than 3,000 workers telecommute. In fact, the companys main website touts its results-driven environment which are often conducive to its remotetelecommute work. If youre interested in working for Cigna at home, you should know that they offer several types of work at home jobs. For instance, many registered nurses work at home as disability and workers comp clinical case managers. There are also roles for data and providers-relations analysts, contract managers, and claims coordinators. The company specifically notes thateven roles that arent posted as telecommute may offer some flexibility with working a day or two from home, depending upon the role and job requirements. Thus, this is a great company to consider if youre wanting some freedom in your weekly work environment. Additional Cigna-owned businesses include Cigna Group Health InsuranceCigna HealthCareCigna InternationalChoicel inxCigna Voluntary Pay and Benefits While the pay varies with the position you have, there is high competitive salary and bonus structure for most workers. However, Cigna offers a number of benefits for full-time employees, which include health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance. Additionally, there are benefits available for educational assistance, elder, adoption, and child care assistance, flexible work arrangements, and the option for a matched 401(k). According to Glassdoor, theres also a generous paid-time-off plan for many employees, where youre able to rollover up to 40 unused PTO hours every year.Theres also multiple health benefit packages available to choose from, along with employee incentives and perks like a wellness program, where you can get money toward a gym membership. There are also options available for tuition reimbursement,CE days for licensed professionals, and cash toward educational and travel events. Using Cignas Employment Page Ci gnas company websiteprovides a jobs database. Unfortunately, it has no specific selection for finding telecommuting jobs postings. To get around this, you can try using the keyword field to narrow down the search. Try terms like work from home and work at home to search for current relevant job openings. Because most of Cignastelecommuting positionsare in nursing and insurance-rated fields, youre likely to come across those types of roles. Companies that offer similar telecommute jobs, including those with medical backgrounds, include AetnaHumanaUnitedHealth GroupMcKessonFonemed

Emotional intelligence. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Emotional intelligence. The good, the bad, and the ugly.Emotional intelligence. The good, the bad, and the ugly.On a very basic level, emotional intelligence is defined as street smarts rather than book smarts. Or, just a heightened state of awareness. Heres what Im talking about.Traci announces shes leaving her husband.High EI The only one who is not surprised Traci and her husband always seemed tense together.Average EI One of several people not surprised Noticed the belastung but didnt know it was that bad.Low EI The only one totally surprised Never noticed anything.Thats the basic gist of it. Now, how does emotional intelligence (EI) translate into success in life and work?The good.Several studies point to EI being mora important than IQ when it comes to success. The Carnegie Institute of Technology carried out a study that showed 85% of financial success is attributed to skills in human engineering, personality, and the ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead. Only 15% depen ds on technical ability. In other words, people skills or skills related to emotional intelligence are the most crucial.Case in point Jeff Bezos. His customer-first approach and finely-tuned customer understanding created the biggest online retailer the world has ever seen. Amazon has always encouraged customers to post reviews, even if theyre critical or negative, and to emaille the CEO directly with complaints. And customers love it. Bezos never stops measuring customer behavior and adding new features to make his customers happy. This human engineering has driven the companys share price to more than $830. Thats not just impressive, its kind of mind-boggling, especially considering the company maintains a profit margin of less than 1%.If you look at the TV show, The Apprentice, the winner is always the person with the highest EI, not the highest IQ. Why is that? Nobel Prize winning Israeli-American psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that people would rather do business with a per son they like and trust rather than someone they dont, even if that person is offering a better product at a lower price.The bad.With heightened awareness comes heightened sensitivity. When you find yourself in a situation that requires a more objective approach, a high EI can actually hinder you in a couple of ways.Empathy is considered one of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence. High EI-ers tend to see the teardrop of good in an ocean of bad and hang onto it. As a result, you might find yourself making excuses for people, no matter how bad they are. In business, thats not exactly a recipe for success. And as a boss, that kind of behavior can make you vulnerable to manipulation from opportunistic employees, ignore problems for too long and inflict damage to both morale and strategy.A heightened sense of awareness, as many high-EI people have, can also make conflict unbearably painful. But avoiding conflict means never coming to a resolution, and theres a reason you dont read many biographies of passive leaders shying away from conflict and its resolution just makes everything worse.The ugly.Succeeding in life is highly dependent on succeeding socially. So having a high EI is important. But a growing body of research is uncovering the fact that the concept of emotional intelligence is morally neutral it can be used for just as much bad as it can be for good.In the 1990s, emotional intelligence was painted in rosy terms, perhaps as a reaction to decades of hierarchical, command-and-control leadership. That cold, unemotional style, described in the book The Organization Man, was falling out of fashion.Over time, our understanding of the use of emotions at work has evolved. Updated research has revealed the dark side of emotional intelligence. Studies in 2010 and 2014 found the workdistributionspolitik provides ample opportunities for narcissists to use their EI to manipulate others. Emotional intelligence is, after all, defined as being able to use your e motions to your advantage.Emotional intelligence can also be a trap for those who believe they have a lot of it, creating an unwarranted arrogance. Theres a well-recorded tendency for all of us to think too highly of our own ability, how well we read a room or understand the motivations of others - an idea lampooned by Garrison Keillor in his famous Lake Woebegone stories of a place where everyone is above-average. If someone has been praised for their emotional intelligence repeatedly, they may take it for granted - which, in turn, causes them to assume theyre always right about others.Emotional intelligence can also elicit extreme emotional reactions. Tim Armstrong, the chairman and CEO of AOL, who has exhibited an extremely high EI, famously fired a videographer in the middle of a conference call with more than 1000 people for taking a photograph. Later, he apologized It was an emotional reaction that had nothing to do with the photographer, but more to do with the shareholder pressure he was under at the time.To be truly empathetic and emotionally intelligent, its important to remember that despite our own interpretations of others behavior, they may not have be out to get us or offend us at all.If you werent naturally born with a high EI, you can learn listen more carefully, be compassionate, pay attention, and stay grounded. Because success in life and work is actually dependent on a balanced combination of emotional awareness and objective reality. Not an easy feat, even for the most gifted among us.