1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
How did you handle
the situation?
2. Describe a time when you had to work with someone you didn't like. How did you
manage your emotions?
3. Tell me about a time when you had to deliver bad news to someone. How did you do it?
4. What do you do when you feel stressed or overwhelmed?
5. How do you handle conflict?
6. How do you stay motivated when things are tough?
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses in terms of emotional intelligence?
8. How do you manage your time?
9. How do you deal with criticism?
10. How do you handle change?
11. How do you build and maintain relationships?
12. How do you motivate others?
13. How do you deal with difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness, or frustration?
14. How do you stay positive and optimistic, even in challenging situations?
15. How do you manage your stress levels?
16. How do you set and achieve goals?
17. How do you deal with setbacks?
18. How do you learn from your mistakes?
19. How do you take feedback?
20. What are your plans for continuing to develop your emotional intelligence?
These questions are designed to get the candidate to think about their emotional
intelligence in a more introspective way. They may also feel uncomfortable answering
these questions, which can be a good indicator of their emotional intelligence.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples of EQ interview questions. The
specific questions you ask will depend on the role you are hiring for and the qualities
you are looking for in a candidate. You should also tailor the questions to the
candidate's experience and level of education.
When asking these questions, it is important to be respectful and non-judgmental. The
goal is to get the candidate to open up and share their experiences, so it is important to
create a safe and supportive environment.
By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of the candidate's
emotional intelligence and whether they would be a good fit for the role.
1. Can you describe a time when you had to manage a team member who was consistently
negative and demotivating? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
2. Tell me about a situation where you had to give constructive feedback to a coworker or
subordinate. How did you approach it, and what was the result?
3. Describe a time when you had to work with a colleague who had a completely different work
style and personality than yours. How did you adapt to the situation?
4. Have you ever experienced a setback or failure at work? How did you cope with the emotions
that came with it, and what did you learn from the experience?
5. Can you share an example of a time when you had to diffuse a tense situation between team
members or coworkers? What strategies did you use?
6. Tell me about a moment when you had to handle a difficult customer or client. How did you
manage the interaction, and what was the outcome?
7. Describe a situation in which you had to deliver bad news to a team or individual. How did you
approach it while considering their emotions?
8. Have you ever faced a situation where you disagreed with your manager's decision? How did
you express your disagreement, and what happened as a result?
9. Share a story about a time when you had to prioritize your own self-care and well-being amidst
work-related stress and demands.
10. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict between two team
members? How did you facilitate the resolution, and what was the final outcome?
11. Describe a moment when you had to make a quick decision under high-pressure circumstances.
How did you manage your emotions and make a rational choice?
12. Have you ever been in a situation where you received feedback that you found challenging or
difficult to accept? How did you react, and what steps did you take afterward?
13. Tell me about a time when you had to take responsibility for a mistake or error at work. How did
you handle the situation, and what did you learn from it?
14. Share an experience in which you had to adapt to a major change or uncertainty in your
workplace. How did you manage your emotions and support your team through the transition?
15. Can you describe a situation when you had to show empathy and understanding toward a
coworker or subordinate going through a personal crisis? How did you offer support?
16. Describe a time when you had to work on a project or task that you found monotonous or
uninteresting. How did you stay motivated and engaged?
17. Tell me about a situation in which you had to influence or persuade a group of people who
initially had differing opinions. How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
18. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your workload? How did you prioritize tasks and manage
your stress during such periods?
19. Share an example of a time when you had to admit that you were wrong. How did you handle it,
and what did you do to make amends?
20. Can you describe a situation where you had to provide emotional support and encouragement
to a colleague who was struggling with their performance or confidence?
