Studies are starting to show that the positive link between Emotional Intelligence and high and excellent performance, or how the so-called high EQ is equated to a higher performance.

As a matter of fact, there is one organization that even tells that EQ is more important than IQ or technical ability in assessing a candidate’s success. The studies emphasize the significance of EQ. They say that EQ should be the key selection criteria.

Most successful individuals in the sales industry are said to be emotionally courageous and persistent. Another company even strengthen the belief that EQ is more important than IQ for they found out that in the performance differential between individuals, EQ is linked to two-thirds while IQ is just linked to one- third of the results.

Based on the evidences, EQ should be used as a key selection criteria and must be assessed during behavioral questioning, the most common and reliable form of assessing a candidate. Easy to say but the interviewers should look for signs of high EQ namely influence, team leadership, organizational awareness, self- confidence, achievement drive and of course, leadership. The interviewer should be asking questions related to these areas to examine the EQ levels of a certain candidate.

It is not also enough to ask EQ-related questions to candidates but also the interviewer should be keen and be very careful to read and understand the responses to the questions. The interviewer must be aware that people with high EQ are most of the time multi-layered and may contain several signs of how high the level of EQ a person has.

The following is a list of signs of a person’s behavior and choice of words that has a high EQ level:

• The candidate can clearly express his feelings and he can directly put together three word sentences. Most of the time it starts with “I feel” and they can clearly explain why they feel that way and what they will do about the issue.

• The candidate can clearly read what’s on your mind through body language.

• The candidate is not intimidated by heavy and dragging emotions like fear, worry, obligation, etc.

• The candidate is self-motivated and is totally equipped with self- confidence.

• The candidate doesn’t dwell too much on failure.

• He is interested and sensitive about other people’s feelings.

• He is not feeling forced or obligated.

• He can stand on his own feet.

• The candidate is a critical thinker and knows exactly how to balance feelings with logic, reason and reality.

On the other hand, people with low EQ most of the time uses profanity to express their frustration and their feelings in general. They are always in denial or are struggling in admitting their mistakes. They are also confused with common sense and reasons and they are also the ones who complain a lot but pretend that there is nothing wrong and everything is going on according to what is planned.

Of course, these are just some common manifestations. Not everyone who carries these characteristics either have low or high in EQ. It all depends in the situation.

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