People who show empathy towards others tend to have other positive skills in the field of emotional intelligence: they know how to listen, reformulate the feelings of others in an empathetic way (rather than giving them advice right away), ask questions that encourage reflection (rather than simply giving their opinion), accept negative feelings (such as anger) rather than reacting immediately, and help colleagues feel understood, taken care of, and valued.
These skills are not only useful in social relationships, they can also have a significant impact on a person’s professional success, including their ability to effectively manage difficult situations at work and help others feel motivated and involved.
1. Pay attention to how the candidate treats the people he/she will encounter at the reception or in the hallways of the company before and after the interview.
It can be useful, for example, to question the building security officer, the receptionist, the restroom cleaning staff, the assistants, and anyone else who has interacted with the person being interviewed on the day of the interview or at any other phase of the recruitment process (by phone, email, or in person).
The objective is to assess how this person behaves towards those whom they do not consider as potential hierarchical superiors or those who can help them get hired, and to see if they are rude or disrespectful towards them.
2. Depending on the type of position the individual is applying for, ask them how they would handle a situation with a high emotional load in the context of that position.
The goal is to choose questions that do not have an obvious right or wrong answer, but rather invite the individual to reflect on what they would do (while knowing that they will try to adapt their answer to what they think is correct in the eyes of the interviewer). Individuals with a low level of empathy will be less likely to propose an empathetic response.
3. Examine their ability to listen rather than just waiting for their turn to speak.
During an interview, it is normal for the person seeking a job to be nervous and have a lot to say. Try to determine if they seem interested when you speak or if they are simply waiting to speak. An individual’s ability to listen is just as important for showing empathy towards others. Although this tactic is less focused on empathy, it can provide the recruiter with more subtle information on an individual’s ability to listen and communicate, which is just as important and often allows a person to show empathy towards others.
Of course, it is easier to evaluate a person’s empathy once you know them better, but these strategies can be useful in a job interview situation.
