Hiring Questions To Discern Whether Your Candidate Is Not Just Smart, But Decent

Obviously, intelligence is a highly sought-after quality in a candidate for just about any professional job.

But emotional intelligence (EQ) is equally important. This encompasses “soft” skills like communication, empathy and the ability to diffuse conflict.

EQ can be teased out in an interview, if you ask the right questions and pay attention to how they’re answered. 

For instance, ask questions like:

1. What qualities do you think make for good co-workers?
2. What kinds of traits would make you not want to work with someone?
3. How do you decide what to prioritize? 
4. What kind of stuff do you like to do outside of work?

You’re looking for answers that will indicate a priority on respect for and connection with other humans. We’ve seen again and again how candidates with high EQ tend to thrive and succeed. These are the kind of people you want on your team.