Many employers are coming to realize that prospective employees are not only required to be book-smart but they should reach a certain level of emotional intelligence as they portray the resilience and interpersonal relationship skills an employee possesses.
It’s difficult to cooperate without emotional intelligence, and it would certainly be hard to grow, thrive, or innovate without collaboration.
It is important to note that it is different from empathy, which is understanding another person’s feelings.
We have to understand that emotional intelligence depends on and thrives in a positive environment because it encourages employees to go beyond their roles and also helpss the group they are part of succeed in the different tasks they are given.
How do you spot emotional intelligence in a job applicant?
- Look out for the right attitude:
The right attitude is more than a job applicant smiling during the interview and just saying yes to everything the interviewer says. Being positive doesn’t necessarily mean the person has the right attitude. You need someone who is positive, visualises a goal, and takes the necessary steps to achieve it. Ask questions like “How would you go about achieving X?”
- Ask about failures:
Instead of always asking about job applicants’ strengths, also ask about their failures. Applicants with high emotional intelligence will talk about their shortcomings with a growth mindset and might also talk about how they discovered a solution or gained a new opinion.
- Talk about teamwork:
Teamwork is undoubtedly underrated in some companies. It is important to ask about how well applicants can work if they are put in a team. Teamwork doesn’t always come naturally to people and this is not to say that they are not good enough for the job. Acknowledge those who openly admit that they find it hard to work with others and also look out for those who acknowledge people they’ve worked with in the past.
As an employer, you want your employee to be extremely smart and have all the necessary skills , but pay attention to someone who shows signs of high emotional intelligence as it translates to the fact that the person is highly efficient.