How Does Emotional Intelligence Play into the Interview Process?

The job market has become very competitive, and it takes more than qualifications and technical skills to stand out. Emotional intelligence or emotional quotient is also emerging as a critical factor in the job industry.

Many employers in various organizations consider EI when evaluating potential candidates, and they are more likely to promote employees with a high emotional quotient.

Unfortunately, most job seekers do not understand the importance of emotional intelligence since it is not taught anywhere.

In this article, we will look at the meaning of emotional intelligence, how it plays a crucial role in your career, and how you can portray the skill for your next job interview. Read on to gain more insight.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence or emotional quotient is the ability to understand, recognise and manage your emotions and those of others. You have a high emotional intelligence when you can express, manage emotions and use the awareness to navigate social interactions while building strong relationships.

In an interview, your emotional quotient can include qualities like empathy, social skill, self-regulation, self-awareness, impulse control, and motivation. This should not be a hard thing to master. It is all about recognising your emotions and understanding those around you.

How Does Emotional Intelligence Impact Your Career?

Most employees overlook the importance of high emotional intelligence, not realising that it can significantly impact their careers in various ways. When you are in a job setting, remember you are working with people of different temperaments, but with excellent interpersonal skills, it is easier to get along with everyone around you.

Individuals with high emotional intelligence have an easier time taking leadership positions. This is because their interpersonal skills allow them to build strong relationships with others and resolve conflicts quickly. They can also inspire their teammates by effectively communicating, understanding issues in the workplace, and responding to other employees on time.

Emotional intelligence also facilitates self-regulation and self-awareness. It enables you to tackle issues at work with composure and quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Handling pressure, making good decisions, and remaining productive will not be challenging.

Aside from this, emotional quotient allows you to collaborate and create a work culture that will make everyone feel appreciated in the workplace. It also allows you to build professional relationships and network with other managers to benefit the organisation. With high emotional intelligence, you can contribute significantly to the long-term success of your career.

How Should I Display Emotional Intelligence in an Interview?

There is usually no particular test for emotional intelligence. When you go for an interview, employers can quickly determine your emotional quotient by talking to you. Therefore, you must demonstrate it throughout the interview by interacting and responding effectively. If you are looking for advice, going to interview training would help wonders. That being said, here are some of the ways you can show your interviewer you have high emotional intelligence:

Listening Actively

When you are in a job interview, you must keep aside everything in your mind and pay attention to the interviewer. Most employees usually get lost here because they try to recite their rehearsed answers, but according to TopInterview, this is not important. First, listen to the question carefully, then take your time to think it through and provide a good and honest answer.

Express Your Emotions Genuinely

When answering questions in an interview, try to show your interviewer that you care about your career. Some of the questions you should take advantage of are like:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want to work with us?
• What are your strengths?
• Why did you decide to apply for this job? Etc.

Try to show your emotions genuinely when answering questions like this. This will tell the interviewer that you care about your career and are willing to do anything to see the organisation prosper.

Talk About Your Mistakes and Growth

Admitting your failures to a stranger can be challenging, but this can show you have a high emotional quotient. Expressing your emotions about your past mistakes will assure the job interviewer that you are not about to repeat the same mistakes.

Also, when talking about your past failure, do not forget to include a spin. Touch a little bit on your growth, but do not brag about it. Showing that you are genuine about your failures and rewards is a sign that you have a high emotional quotient and are willing to keep growing in your career.

Ask About the Organisation’s Culture

Toward the end of the interview, use this question to your advantage. This might surprise the interviewer, and she may even consider you for a position since it shows that you care about the personalities and motivations that facilitate the organisation’s growth. Some other questions you can ask are:

• What does the company expect from its employees?
• What is the most essential thing all employees should accomplish in the first ninety days?
• How has the organisation changed in the last five or ten years?
• What does the company want to achieve in the next few years? Etc.

Emotional Intelligence: Unlock Your Career Growth

The Job Search Statistics UK shows that thirty percent of employees seek new positions. This could be because they want to enhance their career growth or work in a company with a culture that cares about its employees.

Several companies with a strong culture care about emotional intelligence when hiring. This is why you shouldn’t overlook the importance of EI. Many employers are beginning to recognise the importance of emotional quotient in creating a positive work culture, making it a crucial factor in the interview process.

Beyond your qualifications and technical skills, your employee is looking for a candidate who can collaborate seamlessly, communicate well, solve conflicts and problems and adapt to change quickly. Demonstrating a high emotional quotient can set you aside from the competition and unlock your career growth.

Guest post by The HR Suite