Effective preparation is the bedrock of a successful interview. Before you even step into the interview room, invest time in researching your interviewee. Dive into their background, explore their interests, and familiarise yourself with their professional experiences. This not only demonstrates your commitment but also helps establish common ground. Understanding their career trajectory, hobbies, and any recent achievements allows you to establish rapport effortlessly.

Additionally, if you are aware of specific difficulties your interviewee may have, such as a tendency to be guarded or reticent, you can prepare tailored questions and techniques to address their concerns. Craft your questions thoughtfully, ensuring they align with the interviewee’s expertise and interests. By doing so, you not only put them at ease but also show that you respect their expertise.

Remember, your research should extend beyond a cursory glance at their LinkedIn profile. Delve into their past work, recent publications, or notable achievements. This thorough approach will set the stage for a more productive and insightful interview.

Example: If you’re interviewing a notoriously private individual, ensure your questions respect their boundaries and focus on the topics they’re comfortable discussing.

#2 Establish a Comfortable Environment

Create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for the interview. Ensure the interviewee feels physically and emotionally comfortable. Offer a glass of water, maintain a moderate room temperature, and have a friendly demeanour.

Creating a comfortable environment is paramount for a successful interview. The atmosphere you cultivate can significantly impact the interviewee’s level of comfort and, consequently, the quality of the conversation. Consider the physical and emotional aspects of the interview setting.

Physically, ensure that the interviewee feels at ease in the surroundings. Offer them a glass of water, a cup of tea, or any beverage they prefer. Maintaining a moderate room temperature is also crucial; an overly cold or hot environment can be distracting and uncomfortable. These seemingly small gestures can go a long way in making your interviewee feel welcomed and relaxed.

Emotionally, your demeanour plays a pivotal role. Greet them with a warm and friendly approach, which can help to alleviate initial nervousness. Offer a genuine smile and a handshake (if in person) to establish a connection. Make small talk before diving into the interview questions to break the ice and set a positive tone.

Remember, the more comfortable your interviewee feels, the more open and candid they are likely to be during the conversation.

Example: For podcasters conducting remote interviews, a friendly greeting and a few minutes of casual conversation can help set a positive tone.

#3 Active Listening

Pay close attention to your interviewee’s responses. Show that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say by maintaining eye contact and nodding. This can encourage nervous interviewees to open up and difficult ones to feel heard.

Active listening is an art that can make or break an interview. It involves not just hearing but truly understanding what your interviewee is saying. To demonstrate genuine interest, maintain consistent eye contact and nod in agreement as they speak. These non-verbal cues communicate that you value their insights and are fully engaged in the conversation.

For nervous interviewees, this active listening approach can have a calming effect. When they perceive that you are fully attuned to their words, it can boost their confidence and encourage them to express themselves more freely. For difficult interviewees, active listening can make them feel heard and respected, potentially easing any tension or defensiveness.

Additionally, asking follow-up questions based on their responses shows that you are actively processing the information and eager to delve deeper. This approach not only enhances the quality of the interview but also fosters a positive and productive atmosphere.

Example: Respond to their answers with phrases like, “I appreciate your insight” or “Tell me more about that.”

For nervous interviewees, it’s essential to recognise their anxiety and assure them that it’s perfectly normal to feel this way. Share your own experiences of interview nerves or provide anecdotes about other successful interviewees who once felt the same. This empathetic approach can help alleviate their fears and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

When dealing with difficult interviewees, maintaining a patient and respectful tone is vital. Rather than reacting to their challenging behaviour with frustration, try to understand the underlying reasons for their resistance. Empathise with their perspective, even if you don’t agree with it. This approach can disarm defensiveness and open the door to a more constructive conversation.

In both cases, empathy can be a bridge to more productive and harmonious interviews.

Example: Say, “It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous before an interview. We’re just having a conversation,” to put them at ease.

#6 Redirect and Reframe

For difficult interviewees, redirect the conversation if it veers off track or becomes unproductive. Reframe their responses to guide them back to the intended topic.

Challenging interviewees may often lead the conversation off track or provide unproductive responses. In such situations, it’s crucial to master the skill of redirecting and reframing the dialogue.

For example, if a difficult interviewee veers into irrelevant topics or becomes confrontational, gently but firmly steer the conversation back to the intended focus. You can say, “I appreciate your perspective on that, but let’s circle back to our main topic, which is…”

Reframing is another valuable technique. If a difficult interviewee offers a negative perspective, rephrase their statement in a more neutral or constructive manner. This can encourage a more positive and productive response. For example, if they say, “This project was a disaster,” you can reframe it by saying, “It sounds like there were challenges with the project. Can you share what lessons were learned from those challenges?”

These techniques maintain the interview’s purpose and guide it towards a more fruitful and insightful outcome.

Example: If they begin discussing unrelated issues, say, “That’s interesting, but let’s get back to our main focus. Can you tell me more about your experience in project management?”

#7 Use the “Silence Technique”

Allow moments of silence after a question to give interviewees time to gather their thoughts and respond more thoughtfully. Nervous interviewees may appreciate this pause.

Silence can be a powerful tool in managing interviews, especially for nervous interviewees who may require more time to gather their thoughts. After posing a question, allow a moment of silence before continuing or rephrasing. This pause gives the interviewee the space to think and respond more thoughtfully.

Nervous interviewees may appreciate this moment of reflection as it reduces the pressure to answer quickly. It can lead to more considered and detailed responses. The “Silence Technique” can be particularly effective when dealing with complex or emotionally charged topics, allowing interviewees to express themselves at their own pace.

Remember, silence doesn’t always signify discomfort; it can also indicate deep thinking and consideration. Be patient and let it work to your advantage.

Example: After posing a challenging question, count to five silently before rephrasing or elaborating.

For example, if a candidate for a job position appears defensive, with crossed arms and a tense posture, this may indicate a lack of comfort or confidence. To counteract this, maintain open body language, such as relaxed shoulders and an open posture, to put them at ease. Ensure your facial expressions are welcoming and receptive.

Incorporating these adjustments based on non-verbal cues can create a more positive and productive interaction, even with the most challenging interviewees.

Example: If a candidate for a job position seems defensive, avoid confrontational postures, and opt for open body language to put them at ease.

#9 Offer Encouragement and Positive Feedback

Encourage interviewees with positive feedback. Acknowledge their insights and provide validation. This can boost their confidence and cooperation.

Positive feedback can be a powerful motivator during interviews, encouraging interviewees to express themselves more freely. Acknowledging their insights, ideas, and experiences provides validation and boosts their confidence, ultimately leading to a more productive conversation.

When an interviewee provides a valuable point or shares a unique perspective, express your appreciation. Say, “That’s a great point; I hadn’t considered it that way,” or “Your insights on this topic are truly enlightening.” Such positive feedback reinforces their contribution and fosters a more cooperative atmosphere.

For nervous interviewees, this affirmation can help alleviate their anxiety and make them feel valued. For difficult interviewees, it can soften their resistance and lead to more constructive engagement.

Example: Say, “That’s a great point; I hadn’t considered it that way,” to make them feel valued.

#10 Flexibility and Adaptation

Be prepared to adapt your approach during the interview. Some interviewees may require different strategies as the conversation unfolds. Stay flexible and responsive.

While preparation is essential, it’s equally crucial to be prepared to adapt your approach during the interview itself. Some interviewees may require different strategies as the conversation unfolds. Stay flexible and responsive to their cues and needs.

For instance, if you notice that a nervous interviewee is becoming more comfortable as the interview progresses, consider adjusting your questions to explore deeper or more complex topics. As they gain confidence, they may be more willing to share valuable insights.

Conversely, with difficult interviewees, if your initial approach is met with resistance or hostility, be ready to pivot. Perhaps you need to take a step back, rephrase your questions, or address their concerns directly. Flexibility in your approach allows you to navigate the conversation effectively, even in challenging situations.

Remember that no two interviews are the same, and your ability to adapt and remain responsive can make a significant difference in managing interviewees successfully.

Example: If a nervous interviewee becomes more comfortable as the interview progresses, adjust your questions to explore deeper topics.