Emotional Intelligence Interviews

Hiring for Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Emotional Intelligence is best described as the ability to handle one's own emotions appropriately while simultaneously being aware of and sensitive to the emotional state of the people with whom you are interacting.

High EQ = Clear Thinking + Healthy Emotions + Appropriate Actions

Employers are looking for people who possess traits like self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy, as well as social skill.

Components of Emotional Intelligence

Self-Awareness: the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others

Self-Regulation: the propensity to suspend judgment-to think before acting

Motivation: a passion to work for reasons that go beyond money or status

Empathy: the skill of treating people according to their emotional reactions

Social Skill: proficiency in managing relationships and building networks

Sample interview questions:


Self-Awareness Self-Regulation Motivation Empathy Social Skill
Tell me about a strength/weakness you have. Give an example. What are you doing about your weakness? Tell me about a time you got carried away by your feelings and did something you regretted. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Have you ever tried to achieve it? How would you introduce change to your employees? How would you work with somebody whose culture differs from yours in a profound way?
How do you fit in your social structure? What is your role? What kind of people do you spend your time with? What would you do if you had discovered Enron’s accounting scandal, knowing you could lose your personal wealth? What is the most frustrating project you have undertaken? Did you complete it? Why or why not? How would you get a diverse group of people to work for a common goal? You’ve been assigned the task of starting a new business for your company with employees from other divisions. Where would you start?
Tell me about your polar opposite. How would you work with them? How do you react when somebody challenges your work? If you were born wealthy, what would you do with your time? Why would you be a good social worker? Why wouldn’t you be? Tell me about your town, community, or school and its students.

Last Edited: 10/29/2008