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14,427 Job Postings on LinkedIn Mention Emotional Intelligence. Here’s Why That Matters for Your Career

By Robert Harjo | Professional Development Coach, Harjo Leadership


In April 2025, there are 14,427 job postings on LinkedIn that mention one critical skill: emotional intelligence.


That’s not a coincidence. It’s a wake-up call.


Across industries, emotional intelligence in job postings is more than a trend. It’s a clear signal that employers are prioritizing emotional intelligence in 2025. If you’re not actively developing this skill, you could be getting passed over for roles, promotions, and leadership opportunities.


What Is Emotional Intelligence? (And Why Is It So Valuable?)


Emotional intelligence (EQ) refers to your ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, and the emotions of others. It includes:

  • Self-awareness

  • Self-regulation

  • Empathy

  • Relationship-building

  • Decision-making


At Harjo Leadership, we define well-developed emotional intelligence as healthy emotional and social functioning, which is strongly linked to both professional effectiveness and your overall happiness.


The EQ-i 2.0™ model we use with our clients emphasizes five interconnected areas of functioning:

  1. Self-perception

  2. Self-expression

  3. Interpersonal relationships

  4. Decision-making

  5. Stress management


These areas are dynamic and circular. Each one influences the others, and none is more important than the rest. The stronger your EQ, the more resilient, confident, and adaptable you become.


Emotional intelligence is not a trait. It’s a skill. 

That means: 

✅ It’s measurable 

✅ It’s learnable 

✅ And it’s coachable


Here’s why that’s good news. A staggering 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence. Even better, EQ accounts for 58% of job performance.



Why Employers Are Prioritizing Emotional Intelligence in 2025


Let’s go back to that LinkedIn stat. 14,427 job postings mention emotional intelligence directly.


Even when it’s not named explicitly, EQ often appears under terms like:

  • Adaptability

  • Interpersonal or “soft” skills

  • Empathy

  • Self-awareness

  • Communication skills


In fact, 71% of employers say they value emotional intelligence more than IQ.


Industries especially focused on EQ in 2025 include:

  • Tech (collaboration, feedback loops, agile leadership)

  • Healthcare (empathy, bedside manner, high-pressure decision-making)

  • Customer-facing roles (conflict resolution, communication)

  • Management and leadership positions across all sectors



How EQ Gives You a Career Advantage


Emotional intelligence is a secret weapon in your job search and your professional life.


When your EQ is strong, you:

  • Interview better

  • Respond to feedback without defensiveness

  • Communicate clearly and calmly under pressure

  • Lead with confidence and empathy

  • Adapt more quickly to change


This is especially powerful if you’re:

  • Looking to change careers

  • Seeking a promotion

  • Feeling stuck professionally


Even Harvard Business School identifies emotional intelligence as essential to effective leadership.



At Harjo Leadership, We Don’t Guess at EQ. We Measure It.


As a certified coach, I use the EQ-i 2.0™ assessment to provide a clear, science-backed understanding of your emotional intelligence.


This isn’t guesswork. You receive a personalized report with scores across the five core areas of EQ, along with a custom coaching plan to help you build measurable growth in each area.


“You can’t grow what you don’t measure. That’s why our coaching process starts with an assessment, so you know exactly where to focus.”


The EQ-i 2.0™ is trusted by:

  • Leadership consultants

  • Organizational psychologists

  • Fortune 500 companies


Ready to Build Your Edge?


With 14,427 employers actively seeking emotional intelligence in candidates, there’s no better time to invest in your professional development.


At Harjo Leadership, we offer EQ career coaching and professional development coaching that helps you: 

✔ Understand where you’re strong and where to grow 

✔ Build confidence and communication skills 

✔ Show up with clarity and intention in every role you pursue


Let’s talk about what’s possible. 👉 Book your free strategy session here.

 
 
 

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