The Most Underrated Skill in Recruiting

When people talk about what makes a good recruiter, the answers are usually pretty predictable. You’ll hear things like organization, communication, industry knowledge, or being a “people person.” Those are all important, but there’s a quality that plays an even bigger role in long-term success, and it doesn’t get nearly enough attention: emotional intelligence.

So much of recruiting involves working through uncertainty, managing expectations, and navigating conversations that aren’t always clear-cut. Candidates may not say exactly what they mean, hiring managers may not know exactly what they want, and things can change quickly. In the middle of all of that, emotional intelligence is what helps us stay grounded. It helps us listen without jumping in, respond with care, and recognize what people are feeling even if they’re not saying it directly.

It shows up often in small moments, like noticing when a candidate’s tone shifts after a salary conversation, or when a hiring manager seems hesitant to move forward but isn’t quite saying why. It helps us make decisions that are both efficient and considerate. By remembering that the people we’re working with are more than their resumes or hiring timelines, we build relationships on trust and respect.

This is something you practice by being present, paying attention, and being willing to slow down enough to really understand what someone is trying to tell you. It’s what prompts us to respond thoughtfully when things go sideways, and what allows us to stay connected even when outcomes aren’t ideal.

If you’re looking for ways to build emotional intelligence in your day-to-day work, we shared a few practical tips in this earlier blog: 7 Tips to Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Leader. While it’s geared toward leadership, everything in there applies to recruiting too.

Recruiting is about relationships, and emotional intelligence is what keeps those relationships strong, even when the job itself is messy, unpredictable, or frustrating. In a field where so much can change from one day to the next, this is one skill that always matters!

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