This article is based more on the soft side of the interview process, as opposed to the technical aspect of interviews. I hope these tips and sample questions on effective use of EI and behavioural based questions, help you make the right hiring decision based not only on technical ability but cultural fit as well.
Emotional Intelligence: There is lot more research into EI or Emotional Intelligence and how this can predict the success of a candidate in a role. A lot of this work is based on Daniel Goldman an American Psychologist who developed a framework of five elements defining EI: Self Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social Skills. We believe by focusing a portion of the interview on EI based questions a client may gain a greater understanding of a person’s motivators and their ability to “fit” within an existing team.
Here is some sample questions we use to assess a candidates Emotional Intelligence:
Self Awareness: Tell me about a time when you made a big mistake?.
Self Regulation: How do you handle multiple demands?
Motivation: How do you measure success? What results do you achieve?
Empathy: Describe a time when understanding someone else’s perspective helped you understand them better?
Social Skill: Tell me how you build networks within your company?
Behavioural Based: It’s been around a bit longer but we recommend clients incorporate behavioural/competency based interviewing into their process. We recommend clients sit down and take the time to work out the key behaviours or skills the candidate will need to fulfil the role. From this analysis interviewers should base questions in the interview around these behaviours.
Try the following 4 examples:
1 Looking for a certain type of leader someone who can motivate staff: Can you tell me a time in which you felt you were able to build motivation in your co-workers or subordinates?
2 Looking for a goal orientated individual? Give me a time in which you had to set an important goal in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it?
3 Want to know how creative someone thinks they are? Describe the most creative work-related project which you have carried out?
4 Or you need a problem solver? Give me an example on any job in which you faced a problem and tell me how you went about solving it?
So in summary, by taking the right approach to interviews, and by planning your questions and effective use of EI and behavioural based questions, you may eliminate some hiring mistakes, and help make effective hiring decisions for the longer term.