What are the best niche talent assessment methods for evaluating soft skills and emotional intelligence?

2 Behavioral interviews

Another common method to assess soft skills and EI is to conduct behavioral interviews, which are based on the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. Behavioral interviews ask candidates to describe specific examples of how they have used or developed their soft skills and EI in previous work or life situations. For example, you might ask them to tell you about a time when they had to deal with a difficult customer, a conflict with a colleague, a failure, or a feedback. Behavioral interviews help you to understand how candidates think, feel, and act in different contexts, and how they learn from their experiences.

3 Psychometric tests

Psychometric tests are standardized and objective tools that measure various aspects of a person's personality, aptitude, and intelligence. They can be used to assess soft skills and EI by evaluating how candidates respond to different stimuli, such as words, images, numbers, or questions. Psychometric tests can provide insights into candidates' preferences, motivations, values, strengths, weaknesses, and potential. They can also help you to compare candidates' scores with benchmarks or norms, and to identify any gaps or risks. Some examples of psychometric tests that measure soft skills and EI are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), and the Situational Judgment Test (SJT).

4 Peer assessments

Peer assessments are a form of feedback that involve asking candidates to rate themselves and their peers on various soft skills and EI dimensions. Peer assessments can be done during group activities, such as work simulations, projects, or presentations, where candidates interact with each other and observe each other's behaviors. Peer assessments can help you to gain multiple perspectives on candidates' performance, as well as their self-awareness, honesty, and openness. They can also help you to assess how candidates collaborate, influence, support, and respect their peers.

5 Video interviews

Video interviews are a convenient and flexible way to assess soft skills and EI remotely, especially in the era of social distancing and remote work. Video interviews can be either live or recorded, depending on your preference and availability. Video interviews allow you to see and hear how candidates communicate, express themselves, and present themselves. They also allow you to observe candidates' body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which can reveal a lot about their emotions, attitudes, and personality. Video interviews can be combined with other methods, such as work simulations, behavioral questions, or psychometric tests, to enhance your evaluation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?