Recruiting for Emotional Intelligence – Sample Behavioural Questions

The 'Recruiting for Emotional Intelligence – Sample Behavioural Questions' resource is designed to assist HR, leaders and organisations to ask questions within an interview process that are focussed on the key areas of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). 

This guide provides an extensive list of questions to provide an insight into the applicant’s EQ based on five core areas:

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills

It is important that organisations do not use these questions in isolation, and it is recommended that they are used to compliment other behavioural questions prepared to assess the key competencies of the position.

The questions within this document are not exhaustive and are provided as a guide to assist HR and leaders with their recruitment. Those using these questions are encouraged to think about the most appropriate question for the role and adapt them where applicable. 

For further information on this topic please see our  articles, ‘Emotional intelligence’ and ‘Emotional intelligence and leadership’.