An impressive GPA and a high IQ certainly can't hurt in today's job market, but they're no guarantee of getting an interview, much less a job. But a high CQ (cultural intelligence quotient) is an increasingly sought-after capability by many employers. In today's competitive job market, candidates who demonstrate cultural intelligence have an edge for landing a job in many businesses. Even if the job doesn't require any international travel, managers and HR departments are realizing the importance of having culturally savvy employees who can dynamically meet the challenges of serving a diverse customer base at home and abroad as well as becoming effective participants of culturally diverse teams.

Cultural intelligence is defined as the capability to function effectively across national, ethnic and organizational cultures. You've heard about IQ and EQ. CQ stems from this same body of research on the various forms of intelligence needed to be a successful in today's workforce. CQ is a set of capabilities and skills proven to give employees and their organizations a competitive edge in our shrinking world.

Cultural intelligence includes four different capabilities:

1. Drive
   
2. Knowledge
   
3. Strategy
   
4. Action
   

Here's an overview of how companies are screening candidates for cultural intelligence in these four areas:

CQ Drive: Your level of interest, confidence and drive to adapt cross-culturally

• To what degree do you show an interest in different cultures?
  
• Have you sought out opportunities to work with colleagues from different backgrounds?
  
• Are you confident you can succeed in cross-cultural situations?
  

CQ Knowledge: Your understanding of cross-cultural issues and differences

• Do you demonstrate insight into how culture influences your decision-making?
  
• Can you describe the basic cultural differences that exist among the cultures where the organization works?
  
• Do you speak another language?
  

CQ Strategy: Your ability to plan and make sense of culturally diverse experiences

• How do you demonstrate awareness of yourself and others?
  
• Do you plan differently for cross-cultural interactions and work?
  
• Do you check back to see if your cross-cultural behavior is effective?
  

CQ Action: Your ability to adapt verbal and nonverbal actions appropriately when interacting cross-culturally

• Can you alter your communication for various contexts?
  
• Do you demonstrate flexible negotiation skills?
  
• To what degree do you flex your behavior when working with people and projects in different cultural contexts?
  

Managers and human resource departments realize the vision and values of their organization are ultimately whatever experience customers have any time they encounter a team member. The support person answering emails and returning phone calls is the organization to the individual on the other end of that email or phone call. The faculty member behind closed doors in the classroom is that university to his students. The nurse treating the immigrant is the hospital to that patient and her family.

High CQ is particularly sought in candidates seeking management and executive-level positions. The globalization of business is lunging forward with racing speed. Research by world-renown scholars across more than 30 countries finds that cultural intelligence is the single greatest difference between leaders who thrive in today's multicultural environment and those who become obsolete.There are a number of personal benefits you get from enhancing your cultural intelligence, some of which include: career advancement, increased creativity, expanded global networks, stronger negotiating power for a higher salary, and a chance to play a part in making the world a better place. And CQ is something anyone can develop and grow. Get a leg up securing your dream job by trying some of the following:

1. Review the questions companies are using to screen candidates in the four areas of CQ and anticipate your response.
   
2. Take a cross-cultural assignment any time you have the chance. Learn all you can.
   
3. Learn more about CQ assessments and training available at The Cultural Intelligence Center.
   

Developing CQ is proven to enhance your competitive edge in the current job market — whether it's retaining your position or securing a new one. Cultural intelligence contributes to your personal development as a leader and best of all, it allows you to treat people with a great degree of respect and dignity, whatever their cultural background.

David Livermore
David Livermore, PhD is the author of business best-seller Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The New Secret to Success, president of the Cultural Intelligence Center in East Lansing, Michigan and a visiting research fellow with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Dave averages 35 national and international speaking engagements annually, addressing approximately 7,500 leaders a year across 75 countries.

Add Your Comment

Lessons learned from and about six-figure leadership and executive career management

Rules of Engagement for Executive Insider

Leadership

Dave Opton’s Six-Figure LearningsPatty Azzarello's Business Leadership BlogJohn BaldoniRussell BishopWally Bock's Three Star Leadership BlogGeorge Bradt’s PrimeGenesisBuilding ChampionsCEO Blog – Time LeadershipCrucial SkillsScott Eblin’s Next Level BlogAdrian GostickLeadership FreakDavid LivermoreJohn MaxwellN2Growth BlogDaniel PinkTerry StarbuckerWorking Knowledge

Recruiting/HR/Search Firms

Allen Associates Executive Search BlogThe Asia Pacific HeadhunterAsk the HeadhunterBoston Search Group BlogThe Cynical GirlThe Executive Search Group BlogNorton Folgate: The Recruiting UnblogGESBlogGuerrilla Job HuntingAmitai Givertz’s Recruitomatic BlogHeidrick & Struggles BlogsHR BartenderRecruiting AnimalThe Recruiting Inferno

Career Management

Best Fit ForwardThe Career CatalystCareer ChaosCareerFolkCareer HubCareer Pro TalkCareerowners’ BlogCareer SolversCareer Thought LeadersCareer TrendCFO CoachDesign RésumésElite RésumésExecutive ActionsExecutive Career BrandExecutive Power BrandGet Hired Stay HiredJibberJobberJob Search NewsHire EffectInspired ChoiceKeppie CareersLessons Learned on the Road to KonaMy Executive Career CoachTalent CultureTim’s StrategyTotal Picture RadioPenelope TrunkQunitessential CareersUnbridled TalentSusan WhitcombWorkStrongThe Write SolutionYour Best Impression

Topics

robyn greenspan joseph daniel mccool execunet executive recruiters leadership executive job search executive employment networking job search the economy executive careers dave opton market trends business confidence innovation mark anderson executive job market search firms world business forum recruiter confidence index executive hiring world innovation forum most read search firm hiring index skills popular talent management culture hiring strategy