Your guide to Canadian job interview emotional intelligence

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Your guide to Canadian job interview emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence might be one of the most important factors in career success. While you may have the hard skills to succeed, being unable to manage frustration in meetings or handle conflict with colleagues will inevitably affect your career growth.

In Canadian job interviews, employers will evaluate your emotional intelligence, so it’s important to communicate these skills both verbally and non-verbally. Here’s a quick guide based on tips from Indeed to help you prepare.

What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence, as Indeed puts it, is your ability to identify and manage your emotions.

What interview questions might be asked to measure emotional intelligence?

• What weaknesses are you working to improve?

• How do you deal with setbacks?

• What are your strengths?

How do I communicate emotional intelligence in an interview?

Non-verbal communication

• Make eye contact with the interviewer.

• Keep your head up, shoulders back, and avoid slouching.

• Offer a confident handshake when meeting the interviewer – firm, but not too tight.

• The interview starts the moment you enter the building, so show respect to everyone by maintaining eye contact and being courteous.

Verbal communication:

• Listen actively by repeating questions in your own words to confirm you understood.

• At the end of the interview, ask thoughtful questions about growth opportunities or company culture. Pro tip: Think of what you'd want to know on your first day if you got the job.

• When discussing your strengths, highlight teamwork and communication, and share how they’ve helped you succeed and positively contribute to the workplace.

• When discussing challenges, focus on how you adapted and what you learned.

CAREER COACH Q & A

Q: What’s one way I can develop my emotional intelligence as a newcomer to Canada?

A: Keep a reflective journal to enhance your self-awareness. Write about specific interactions, especially challenging ones, and how you felt during them. Focus on what triggered your emotions, how you reacted, and consider what you could have done differently. This practice helps you recognize emotional patterns, improve how you handle similar situations in the future, and foster greater empathy for others by understanding your own reactions first.

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Newcomer Friendly Job Listings

• Web Designer, Calgary, AB

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LEARN THE LINGO
Phrases to replace if you want to sound more confident

The way we communicate in the workplace is often a habit, and certain phrases we routinely use can hold us back in our careers.

Dora Vanourek, a Canadian executive coach, recently made a post on LinkedIn, sharing some common phrases you may want to replace if you want to sound more confident. Here are three that stood out:

❌ "I'll try"
✅ "I’ll get it to you by Friday and keep you posted on my progress."

The phrase “I’ll try” often slips into our everyday conversations, but it can suggest that you're already expecting to fail. Instead, express a commitment to action: “I’ll start researching and let you know if I have any questions.”

❌ "I guess"
✅ "From what I understand."

Although your intention here might be to sound humble, as Dora says, this phrase can undermine your competence. If you're still learning something or just unsure, try saying “From what I understand” or “Based on the information I have.”

❌ "This might be a stupid question, but…"
✅ "I'd like to clarify something."

This common phrase can diminish the value of your inquiry and may lead others to perceive you as insecure. Instead, use confident language to express your intention to understand better. By asking for clarification directly, you demonstrate a willingness to engage and learn, fostering a more constructive conversation.