This article provides a detailed response to: What are the key indicators of emotional intelligence to look for during an interview? For a comprehensive understanding of Interviewing, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Interviewing best practice resources.
TLDR Assessing Emotional Intelligence (EI) in interviews involves evaluating Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Empathy, Social Skills, Motivation, and Achievement Orientation, critical for leadership and organizational success.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation Empathy and Social Skills Motivation and Achievement Orientation Best Practices in Interviewing Interviewing Case Studies Related Questions
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Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they relate to this question.
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical competency in the modern workplace, particularly for leadership roles. It encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions in a positive and constructive manner. During an interview, assessing a candidate's EI can be challenging, yet it's essential for identifying individuals who will thrive in collaborative environments, lead with empathy, and navigate the complexities of organizational dynamics effectively. Below are key indicators of emotional intelligence to look for during the interview process, supported by insights from leading consulting firms and real-world examples.
Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation
Self-awareness, the cornerstone of emotional intelligence, refers to the understanding of one's emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and motives. Candidates who demonstrate self-awareness are likely to be reflective, open to feedback, and capable of learning and growing from experiences. During interviews, look for candidates who articulate their personal and professional development journeys with clarity and insight. Questions about challenges faced and how they were overcome can reveal a candidate's level of self-awareness.
Self-regulation involves controlling or redirecting disruptive emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances. Signs of strong self-regulation include the ability to stay calm under pressure, think before acting, and express themselves appropriately. Probe for examples where the candidate had to adapt to significant changes or manage a high-pressure situation. Their responses can indicate their ability to maintain control and poise, essential for leadership in high-stakes environments.
For instance, a study by McKinsey highlighted the importance of self-regulation in leadership, linking it to improved decision-making and increased team performance. Candidates who can provide concrete examples of how they've managed their emotions and behavior in challenging situations demonstrate a level of self-regulation that is predictive of leadership success.
Empathy and Social Skills
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is vital for building and maintaining relationships, team cohesion, and customer satisfaction. During the interview, assess a candidate's empathy by their ability to listen actively, acknowledge different perspectives, and respond with sensitivity to others' needs and feelings. Questions that explore how they have handled difficult interpersonal situations or worked with diverse teams can uncover valuable insights into their empathetic capacities.
Social skills in emotional intelligence relate to managing relationships and building networks. An individual with strong social skills is adept at finding common ground, building rapport, and influencing others. Look for candidates who speak about collaboration, persuasion, and conflict resolution with ease. Their past experiences in leading teams, navigating organizational changes, or managing stakeholder relationships can provide evidence of their social adeptness.
A report by Accenture on the impact of emotional intelligence in the workplace found that teams led by individuals with high levels of empathy and social skills outperform in terms of productivity and innovation. Candidates who can demonstrate a track record of successful team leadership and stakeholder engagement are likely to possess the social skills necessary for effective leadership.
Motivation and Achievement Orientation
Motivation, particularly intrinsic motivation, is a key component of emotional intelligence. It's the drive to pursue goals with energy and persistence. In the interview, look for candidates who are passionate about their work and exhibit a strong desire to achieve for the sake of achievement, not just for external rewards. Discussing career goals and achievements can provide insights into their motivation levels and commitment to excellence.
Achievement orientation refers to the strive for continuous improvement and the setting of challenging goals. Candidates with high achievement orientation are often proactive, take initiative, and are resilient in the face of obstacles. Asking about situations where they went above and beyond, faced setbacks, or initiated change can reveal their drive and determination.
For example, a study by Deloitte on high-performing teams underscores the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals to drive success. Candidates who articulate clear personal and professional goals and demonstrate a history of achieving them, even in the face of challenges, likely possess the motivational drive and achievement orientation valuable to any organization.
Assessing emotional intelligence during the interview process requires a nuanced approach, focusing on self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, motivation, and achievement orientation. By carefully crafting questions and observing candidates' responses, interviewers can gain deep insights into the emotional intelligence competencies critical for leadership and organizational success.
Best Practices in Interviewing
Here are best practices relevant to Interviewing from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Interviewing materials here.
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Interviewing Case Studies
For a practical understanding of Interviewing, take a look at these case studies.
Mid-Size Publishing Firm Overhauls Interviewing Strategy to Combat High Turnover
Scenario: A mid-size publishing company implemented a strategic interviewing framework to address the challenges of inconsistent talent acquisition and high employee turnover.
Streamlining Executive Interviewing in Life Sciences
Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized biotech company facing challenges in attracting and securing top talent for their rapidly expanding R&D department.
Executive Interviewing Strategy for High-End Retail Chain
Scenario: The organization is a high-end retail chain specializing in luxury goods, facing challenges in refining its executive interviewing process.
Building Ethical Resilience in Credit Intermediation: Navigating Trust and Compliance Challenges
Scenario: A regional credit intermediation firm faced significant ethical challenges, prompting the implementation of a comprehensive ethical organization strategy framework.
Risk Management Framework Enhancement in Professional Services
Scenario: The organization, a global provider of audit and advisory services, faces challenges aligning its risk management practices with ISO 31000 standards.
Compensation Strategy Redesign for Semiconductor Manufacturer
Scenario: The organization is a leading semiconductor manufacturer that has recently undergone a merger, significantly expanding its global footprint and employee base.
Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies
Related Questions
Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.
Operational Excellence, Management Consulting
This Q&A article was reviewed by Joseph Robinson. Joseph is the VP of Strategy at Flevy with expertise in Corporate Strategy and Operational Excellence. Prior to Flevy, Joseph worked at the Boston Consulting Group. He also has an MBA from MIT Sloan.
To cite this article, please use:
Source: "What are the key indicators of emotional intelligence to look for during an interview?," Flevy Management Insights, Joseph Robinson, 2025
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