Building a connection with your interviewee is the crucial first step in creating a comfortable interview atmosphere. To achieve this, engage in meaningful small talk that goes beyond mere pleasantries. Find common ground, whether it’s shared interests, experiences, or even similar career paths. Showing a genuine interest in their background and experiences goes a long way in making them feel valued and respected.

When seeking common ground, consider their personal or professional interests, such as hobbies or recent achievements. This not only eases tension but also demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in what makes them unique. Additionally, taking the time to research your interviewee’s background can help you identify potential conversation starters, making it easier to establish that initial connection.

Applying These Interview Techniques: If you’re interviewing a job candidate, you can start by asking about their journey to the interview location, their interests, or any recent experiences related to the job position.

#2 Active Listening

Active listening is a fundamental interviewing skill. Show that you are fully present and attentive during the interview. Nodding, maintaining eye contact, and responding appropriately to their statements conveys that you value what they have to say.

Active listening is more than just hearing words; it’s about being fully present and attentive during the interview. Nodding and maintaining consistent eye contact are essential, but take it a step further by responding appropriately to their statements. Engaging in active listening not only demonstrates your attentiveness but also conveys that you value what they have to say.

Avoid the temptation to formulate your next question while the interviewee is speaking. Instead, focus on absorbing their words and the emotions behind them. Reflect back what you’ve heard to ensure you’ve understood correctly. This not only builds trust but also encourages interviewees to share more openly, knowing they’re being heard.

Applying These Interview Techniques: Respond with phrases like “I see,” “Tell me more,” or “That’s interesting” to show you’re engaged in the conversation.

#3 Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Craft questions that are well thought out and specific to the interviewee’s background and experiences. Open-ended questions encourage interviewees to provide detailed responses, fostering a more engaging conversation.

Crafting thoughtful questions is an art that requires careful consideration. Your questions should be well-thought-out, specific to the interviewee’s background and experiences, and tailored to the purpose of the interview. Open-ended questions are particularly effective, as they encourage interviewees to provide in-depth responses, fostering a more engaging and insightful conversation.

Think about the desired outcomes of your interview and structure your questions accordingly. If your goal is to uncover personal insights, ask questions that prompt introspection. If you’re after specific details or professional expertise, frame questions that encourage them to share their knowledge. Crafting questions that align with your interview’s objectives will make the conversation more productive and satisfying for both you and your interviewee.

Applying These Interview Techniques: Instead of asking, “Do you like your job?” you can ask, “What aspects of your job do you find most fulfilling, and why?”

Tailor your explanation of the interview’s purpose to align with the interviewee’s interests and expertise. Show them how their contributions are valuable and will contribute to a greater understanding of the topic. This not only motivates them to share more openly but also highlights their significance in the interview.

Applying These Interview Techniques: If you’re a researcher, explain how their input will contribute to a meaningful study in their field.

#6 Respect Boundaries

Respect your interviewee’s personal boundaries and privacy. If they seem uncomfortable discussing a particular topic, be ready to pivot to another subject or skip the sensitive issue altogether.

Respecting your interviewee’s personal boundaries and privacy is a matter of utmost importance. If you sense discomfort when discussing a particular topic, be prepared to pivot to another subject or skip the sensitive issue altogether. Recognising their limits and showing flexibility in the conversation demonstrates your respect for their comfort and autonomy.

Occasionally, interviewees might share personal anecdotes or experiences that they later regret divulging. In such cases, offer the option to edit or remove sensitive content from the final interview, allowing them a level of control over the information shared.

Applying These Interview Techniques: If you notice hesitation when discussing personal matters, reassure them that they can choose to skip or elaborate on any topic.

#7 Use Non-Verbal Cues

Body language plays a significant role in making your interviewee comfortable. Maintain an open posture, smile when appropriate, and avoid any behaviours that may come across as intimidating or dismissive.

The unspoken language of body gestures plays a significant role in making your interviewee comfortable. Maintain an open posture that conveys accessibility and approachability. Smile when appropriate, and, most importantly, avoid any behaviours that may come across as intimidating or dismissive.

Pay attention to cultural and individual differences in non-verbal communication. While maintaining eye contact is generally seen as a sign of attentiveness, some individuals may find prolonged eye contact uncomfortable. Adapt your cues to match the comfort level and preferences of your interviewee.

Applying These Interview Techniques: Leaning slightly forward and maintaining eye contact can convey your interest and approachability.

Applying These Interview Techniques: Allow a few seconds of silence after asking a question to give your interviewee time to formulate their response.

#9 Empathise and Validate

Show empathy towards your interviewee’s experiences and emotions. Validate their feelings and experiences, even if you may not fully understand or agree with them.

Demonstrating empathy towards your interviewee’s experiences and emotions is a fundamental aspect of building rapport. Regardless of whether you fully understand or agree with their perspective, validating their feelings and experiences fosters trust and encourages more open and honest conversation.

Empathy can be expressed through both words and actions. If your interviewee shares personal challenges or difficulties, express your support and understanding. Consider sharing your own experiences, if relevant, to demonstrate solidarity and make them feel less alone in their experiences.

Applying These Interview Techniques: If someone is sharing a challenging personal experience, acknowledge their feelings with statements like “That must have been really tough for you.”

#10 Follow Up

After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note or message. Express your gratitude for their time and insights. This helps maintain a positive relationship for future interactions.

After the interview, extend your professionalism by sending a thank-you note or message. Express your gratitude for their time and insights, reinforcing the positive relationship established during the interview. This not only maintains goodwill but also increases the likelihood of future interactions.

Use this opportunity to request feedback on the interview process itself. This not only helps you improve your interviewing skills but also shows your commitment to continuous growth and ensuring the comfort of your interviewees in the future.

Applying These Interview Techniques: A simple email thanking them for the interview and expressing your appreciation can go a long way in building rapport.