Interviewing is Different in 2023 for the Interviewer and Interviewee

There’s a reason why emotional intelligence needs to be front and center in today’s business environment. The workplace 10 years ago didn’t focus as much on EI as it does now, and interviewers as well as interviewees need to be on top of this and ready to engage on this level when they meet.

EI is the ability to understand and self-regulate your own emotions to build relationships with others. What stands out to me and what I work with clients on every day is how EI must be understood, evaluated, and applied in the interview process. 

In 2023, interviewers are looking for candidates with high EI. 

They want to hire people that can:

• Understand and manage their own emotions (self-awareness and self-regulation). 
• Understand and respond to the emotions of others (self-regulation and empathy).
• Build rapport and relationships (empathy and social skills). 

As much as the interviewer should be evaluating a client on their EI, the interviewee should also be looking for companies that embody high EI. Interviewees should be asking potential employers questions about company culture, emotional well-being, and work/life balance/integration. 

Since most interviews are being conducted over Zoom or something similar, it’s integral for both parties to have their camera on. This is the only way they can fully understand and experience the person they are talking to. 

It is not just what someone says it is how they say it, with body language, eye contact, and overall engagement cues. Authenticity is key. 

In today’s competitive environment, incorporating an EI element into all of your interviews is imperative to getting the right candidate and picking the right company. Fill out our contact form today for more insights and to book a training session with Paul.