3 ways to look at a potential employees level of empathy

3 ways to look at a profil employees level of empathy3 ways to look at a qualifikation employees level of empathyPeople who have more empathy for others tend to also have other positive emotional intelligence skills, such as being good listeners, knowing how to empathetically mirror other peoples feelings (rather than jump to give them advice), asking thought provoking questions (rather than simply stating their own opinion), sitting with a negative feeling (such as anger) before immediately acting on it, and the ability to help employees around them feel understood, cared about, and valued. These skills are not only important in social relationships, but can greatly affect a persons career success, including their ability to handle difficult work situations effectively, and to help keep people engaged and motivated around them.That being said, it can be very tricky to test a kompetenzprofil employees level of empathy (and/or emotional intelligence) when they are aware they are being tested. Most people over-estimate their positive attributes, and under estimate their challenges in written self-assessments, in part due to wanting to imagine themselves to be a certain way, trying to give the answers that they think are socially acceptable, and in the case of a job interview- wanting to please the employer and land the job.For these reasons, it can be useful to test an applicants empathy level in more subtle ways that do not send off loud signals to the person that they are being tested, and to use methods that do not include obvious correct answers.3 ways to look at a potential employees level of empathy1. Pay attention to how the applicant treats people who do not matter in the interview processFor example, it can be useful to speak with the building security guard, receptionist, bathroom cleaning staff, assistants, and anyone else who may have interacted with the applicant the day of the interview, or at any other point through the process (either by phone, em ail, or in person). Some potential questions are how did this person treat you? If you smiled or greeted them, how did they respond? etc. Essentially, you want to gage how this applicant treats the people that they do not view as above them or as valuable to helping them get the job, but rather do they see these other people as beneath them, are they rude, dismissive, etc.2. Depending on what type of job they are applying for, ask an appropriate question to the role about how the applicant would handle an emotionally sensitive issueThe goal is to pick questions that do not have an obvious correct or incorrect answer, but rather make the applicant think about what they might actually do (which they will mucksmuschenstill try to adjust based on what they believe is correct in the interviewers mind). However, people with very low empathy are less likely to be able to guess at what the empathetic response would be.For example, in a corporate role, you could ask the person how would they respond to an employee who comes into their office at 7pm and starts crying hysterically about how stressed they are?High empathy answers would most likely include some or all of the followingSpending some time (even if its at the end of the day it can be only a few minutes)Listening to the person (rather than lecturing them or dismissing their feelings)Empathically mirroring the person (and the feelings and thoughts they are expressing).Coming up with some type of plan with the person to help address their feelings, even if it is the next day.Using adjectives that demonstrate they value the persons feelings in the situation (even if it feels annoying that someone is crying in the office, or that they are holding them up at the end of the day).Using we statements that help the person to feel that they are not alone in their situation.Following up with the person after they address the issue, at regular intervals (maybe one per week or month or whatever is appropriate to the issue and role) to make the sure the person feels the issue has been resolved or is at least getting better and to make sure they are being an effective manager.Sample answer It sounds like you are feeling very overwhelmed right now. Lets look at our schedules for tomorrow and setup a meeting where we can spend more time on this, as you are bringing up some important issues that we will work on together and find ways to address- maybe that means taking some things off your plate and/or working together to prioritize your current projects, to help make it more manageable. 3. Their ability to listen instead of waiting to speakWhen interviewing a potential employee, it is natural for the person to be nervous and have lots to say. Notice if they seem engaged when you speak to them, or if they appear to be simply be waiting to speak. How do they interact with what you are saying, versus simply saying what they have prepared to say? How do they pivot with your conversation? While this tactic is less focused on empathy, it has the potential to give a potential employer more subtle information about someones ability to be an effective listener and communicator, which is equally important and often contributes to a persons ability to empathize with others.The point is Empathy is an important emotional trait that is often interwoven with a persons level of emotional intelligence. I find that the most realistic ways to gage a persons level of empathy is to pay attention to the subtle cues (such as how they treat people that they may potentially view as unimportant, asking open ended questions that do not have a correct answer, and reading their body language and ability to really listen in conversation, rather than simply waiting to say what they want to say. Of course it is easier to assess someones level of empathy when you know them better, but these are strategies that can be helpful to use when there is very limited time to asses this complicated trait.Arluck is aClinical Psychotherapist in private practice.This post was originally published on Quora.com.