5 Ways You Can Show Emotional Intelligence in a Virtual Interview

It's hard to recall a specific point before the pandemic where virtual interviews were the norm but fast forward to 2021. Here we are, with our gadgets all wired up for Zoom/Google/Teams meetings with potential interviewers from anywhere in the world.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, the labour market performed better in the third quarter of 2021 versus Q2 as unemployment slowed down.

The ministry adds that sectors such as Professional Services, Information & Communications, and Financial Services saw a rise in resident employment, following the overall growth of manpower demand this year. According to the Ministry of Manpower, employers posted nearly 100,000 job vacancies in June 2021.

As you get ready to join the job hunt, here is a significant insight to consider: according to Forbes, hiring managers actively seek out people with higher levels of emotional intelligence. In the workplace, this kind of talent treats others with compassion, understanding, respect and kindness.

While your IQ can partly demonstrate the knowledge needed for a role and your capacity to be competent in it, emotional intelligence allows you to navigate the more nuanced facets of work and the workplace. For example, emotional intelligence plays a significant factor in determining how effective you may be in a senior or managerial role where you would be dealing with other junior members of the organisation.

Emotional Intelligence at the Workplace

In the past, interviewers would focus solely on an applicant's skills, cognitive ability, knowledge and previous work-related experiences to assess one's suitability to a role. Hiring managers, however, now add emotional intelligence to determine whether a particular candidate is properly suited for the organisation.

Having a high EQ is naturally linked to forging better working relationships and dynamics with colleagues and superiors. It also helps you work better with others in a collaborative environment. Studies have also shown that emotional intelligence can predict an employee's job performance.

Employees perceived to be emotionally intelligent are thought to be better at managing complex situations, resolving conflict, and making decisions.

Your resume and cover letter may demonstrate your knowledge and cognitive capability for a role—but the job interview is your chance to showcase your emotional intelligence.

How to Show Emotional Intelligence in a Video Job Interview

As workplaces implement safer management measures, video interviews will continue to be a common part of the hiring process.

Yet applicants face a competitive labour market this year, plus the fact that online job interviews can make the process seem stiffer and formulaic. Being able to showcase a more human side of yourself along with your emotional intelligence can raise your chances of standing out from the competition.

Being face-to-face with an interviewer can help you connect faster and showcase the warmth, something that may be more challenging to pull off when you're in front of a screen. That said, all it takes is a little practice to exude authenticity and emotion even virtually.

Take note of these tips on how to prepare ahead and exude emotional intelligence in a video interview.

Get comfortable with appearing on screen.

Although Zoom has become the norm in the workplace these days, some people may still feel uneasy with the prospect of seeing themselves on-screen. Practise getting comfortable with the platform by setting up practice meetings with your friends, or simply by carrying conversations online.

Also, take the time to set up your background screen—this will help you make a good impression during your video interview. Plan ahead on what you want interviewers to see. Make sure you are properly distanced from the camera, and the camera shows off a flattering angle. When you look and feel your best, this can help you feel more at ease and confident during your interview.

Practise sharing emotions on screen.

Unlike in-person interviews, video interviews can lose some of the warmth and non-verbal cues from face-to-face interaction that can hinder a person from creating a genuine connection with the other individual.

Remind yourself that there is another real human on the other side of the screen. To get yourself comfortable with interacting authentically with another person through video, practise with a close friend. Even better if you can rehearse on the same platform you're using for your actual interview so you can focus less on the technical aspects and more on getting the right emotions across on the day itself.

Part of creating a connection with your interviewer involves remembering their name—and personalising your greeting. Instead of a generic "Good morning", greet the hiring manager in a way that feels specific but not overly familiar. Nailing the pronunciation is also important, especially if the name sounds uncommon to you. It shows you have done your homework, and that you pay attention to details.

Consider your outfit colours.

You likely already know the basics of how you should dress for a job interview — choose a clean and pleasant outfit, keep your hair neat and away from your face, and in the case of facial hair, keep it trim or shave it off entirely. Yet one aspect you probably haven't considered yet is what colour you should wear.

For example—while red suggests power and authority, it may be smarter for you to consider another hue in the context of emotional intelligence. You want to seem approachable and relatable without compromising your credibility. On the other hand, blue is associated with calmness, tranquillity, as well as trust, efficiency, and security.

Use your background to your advantage.

One way to exude a stronger emotional connection is by showcasing other facets of your personality—and you have your entire background to do so. This is your chance to subtly show that you have other hobbies. For example, having a bookshelf in your background shows that you are an avid reader while hanging a frame of a painting or a photograph you took on the wall lets them know you have other pursuits.

If you know your interviewer shares any of these interests with you, this can also help further work to your advantage. That said, the key is to be authentic and remain genuine—claiming a hobby that you don't do can potentially put you in sticky situations, such as being asked a specific question about it that you may not have the knowledge to answer.

Plan ahead, practise coming off as more natural even online so you can demonstrate emotional capability, as well as your best traits and qualities. Nail your upcoming video interview with the Interview Practice Tool to record, practise, and boost your video interviewing skills with commonly asked questions to ace your online interview.

When you're ready to impress prospective employers, log on JobStreet and look for #JobsThatMatter. Update your profile and add the hashtag #WorkNow so companies know that you are ready to work immediately. For more expert advice on finding fulfilling careers, visit the Career Resources Hub.