Emotional Intelligence Interview Questions You Should be Asking

Evaluating candidates for their hard skills and soft skills is a given, but evaluating potential employees for emotional intelligence (EQ) is often overlooked. However, it plays a large part in gauging how successful a candidate will be in the workplace. Employees with a high level of EQ can understand and manage their own emotions as well as identify and understand the emotions of those around them. These are the emotional intelligence questions you should be asking during interviews.  

Do You Keep in Touch with Former Co-workers? 

Candidates who keep in touch with former co-workers show that they possess the ability to build lasting relationships. Those who do not may have very good reasons, such as moving across the country, family, etc. However, it could be due to low emotional intelligence. If a candidate doesn’t keep in touch with any former co-workers, find out why. 

How Do You Handle Conflict at Work? 

Handling conflict in any situation requires a certain degree of emotional intelligence, especially in the workplace. A candidate’s answer will give you insight as to how well they are able to handle differences and their attitude towards them, which is an excellent indicator of emotional intelligence. 

What is Your Greatest Strength and Biggest Weakness? 

The answer to these two questions will give you an idea of how self-aware a candidate is. Do they give you a true in-depth answer or a canned response? Self-awareness is a critical component of emotional intelligence. 

What are Your Pet Peeves in the Workplace? 

Finding out what makes a candidate angry in the workplace or sets them off, will you clue in big-time to how laid back or strung tight a candidate might be.  

How Do you Handle Taking on Projects Out of Your Comfort Zone? 

You need a candidate who is going to be able to adapt to and embrace tasks outside of their comfort zone. The ability to do so is a sign of high emotional intelligence.  

If a Co-Worker is Having a Bad Day, How Do You Handle It?  

The ability to read someone else’s emotions and react accordingly is an important part of emotional intelligence. You want a candidate who knows how to read people and strive to lift the spirits of those who are struggling in the workplace.  

How Important is it to Bond with Your Employees and Why? 

Candidates who understand the importance of bonding with co-workers is important. It boosts morale in the office and increases efficiency and productivity.  

Find Your Next Candidate 

The hiring process takes time and resources. When you make a hire, you want to make sure the candidate is a good fit. Evaluating a candidate for emotional intelligence will help ensure your next employee is a success. Another bonus tip is to partner with Arrow Staffing. Let us take the hassle out of hiring and find the perfect candidate to fit your needs! 

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