Flevy Management Insights Q&A
What are the key indicators of emotional intelligence to look for during an interview?


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.

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Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they related to this question.

What does Self-Awareness mean?
What does Self-Regulation mean?
What does Empathy mean?
What does Motivation and Achievement Orientation mean?


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.

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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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Explore all of our best practices in: Interviewing

Interviewing Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Interviewing, take a look at these case studies.

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.

Read Full Case Study

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.

Read Full Case Study

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.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

What strategies can be implemented to reduce unconscious bias during interviews?
To reduce unconscious bias in interviews, companies should adopt Structured Interviews, utilize technology like AI for fair screening, and foster a Diversity and Inclusion culture, enhancing objectivity and inclusivity. [Read full explanation]
What role does social media play in the modern interview process, and how can it be used ethically to assess candidates?
Social media is crucial in modern hiring for insights into candidates' qualifications and cultural fit, requiring ethical practices like consent, relevance focus, and legal compliance. [Read full explanation]
How are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies transforming the interview and candidate evaluation process?
VR and AR are revolutionizing recruitment by improving candidate engagement, enabling objective skills assessment, and streamlining recruitment, thus attracting and retaining top talent. [Read full explanation]
How can companies leverage AI and machine learning more effectively in the pre-screening phase to improve the quality of candidates reaching the interview stage?
Organizations can improve candidate quality in the pre-screening phase by integrating AI and ML with Advanced Resume Screening, Predictive Analytics, Automated Assessments, and Continuous Learning, aligning technology with human insight for a more efficient, fair, and inclusive recruitment process. [Read full explanation]
How can executives ensure diversity and inclusion principles are effectively integrated into the interview process?
Executives can integrate Diversity and Inclusion in the interview process through inclusive job descriptions, structured interviews with bias training, and diverse interview panels to attract and fairly evaluate a diverse talent pool, improving business outcomes. [Read full explanation]
How can structured interviews improve the objectivity and fairness of the selection process?
Structured interviews improve Recruitment Strategies by standardizing candidate evaluation, reducing biases, ensuring legal compliance, and increasing diversity, leading to more informed hiring decisions and a stronger workforce. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Interviewing Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


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