Many people believe that the most important part of an interview is what you say about yourself, but this could not be further from the truth.
If you build a strong rapport with your interviewer, you will have a better chance of getting hired than someone who did not take time to build rapport before, during, and after the virtual or physical interview.
Here are some tips to help you build a rapport during your next interview.
- Show Interest and Empathy
Think carefully about the interviewer’s priorities and goals before and during the interview. Figure out what they seem to want from your candidacy – these could be certain skills or topics – and craft your responses accordingly.
Remember that you are trying to give them exactly what they need, so look at their perspective when crafting an answer instead of just thinking about yourself; this will help create a friendly rapport with the interviewer.
To show that you are not just focused on yourself but interested in getting to know all of these potential future colleagues as well, ask them how long they have been working there or how they got started there.
This will also make it easier for you both to break down barriers throughout the interview process while showing that you are curious about those around you even if it does not benefit you directly.
- Keenly Observe
A common behavior for humans is to mirror the actions or tone of others in social situations. Pay special attention to this when you are at your job interview.
Keep a formal and professional tone in your responses when speaking to an interviewer who seems a little too rigid and unwilling to let the conversation flow.
On the other hand, if the interviewer appears amiable, using an informal tone might leave them feeling like you are inattentive or off-putting.
Know how to read your interviewer and adapt the appropriate tone, body language, and so on to fit their example.
- Be Yourself
There are certain things that you need to keep in mind while interviewing.
You do not want to put too much effort into changing who you are and your personality because if people can say that something does not feel right, they will stop trusting you – which is not good for anyone involved.
Just do what feels natural for you; it is never worth giving up who you are for a job offer.
- Initiate a Conversation
A great interview should not be a one-sided interrogation where you fire off answers to the interviewer’s every question in a high-pressure Q&A situation.
The best interviews are interactive exchanges between yourself and the interviewer, which require back-and-forth communication before completion.
One way of fostering this is by asking the interviewer questions when they arise naturally.
You also do not have to wait until the end of an interview to ask your questions – make sure to bring up a topic at some point during it if it arises organically within the conversation.
- Be Enthusiastic
When searching for new employees, hiring managers are not only seeking someone with the necessary skill set for the position; they are seeking out people who show passion and eagerness to join their company.
Before interviewing a potential employer, research them and find out what makes them such an attractive company. Talk about this during your interview and show appreciation when you are asked whether you would like the job.
Conclusion
The best way to prepare for an interview is by practicing your answers and researching the company beforehand.
When you are interviewing, make sure to take the time to build rapport with your interviewer so they will be more receptive and interested in what you have to say.
Consider getting coaching to do your best in your interview and land your dream job. Interview coaching is a great way to prepare for your next interview. Working with an expert will help you feel confident and comfortable, which helps the interviewer get a better sense of who you are.
Plus, when you are prepared for what might come up, it is easier to keep your cool when things do not go as expected.