Establishing Rapport with Interviewers
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Making a good impression on your interviewer requires more than dressing sharply,
polishing your shoes and being polite. From the moment your interviewer sees
you, you've begun the elusive process of connecting to establish rapport.
Studies show that people tend to remember events better when they are linked
with an emotional impression. Making a positive, memorable impression on your
interviewer depends on your ability to connect with your interviewer in a positive
way.
It helps if your personalities click and you both have something in common.
But, with some practice, you need not rely on that to establish a good rapport
with your interviewer.
For example, at a minimum, you can expect that your interviewer wants you to
understand and appreciate her goals, concerns, position, expectations and needs
when she speaks to or asks questions of you.
You can generate good vibes and emotions when you actively listen to your interviewer.
This does not mean that you need to ask her about her childhood or greatest fears.
Your interviewer does not need you as a confidant. She just needs to feel like
you are an attentive and engaged interviewee.
So, when you find yourself facing your interviewer across a table, you can be
certain she wants you to listen and respect her. Demonstrating that you do just
might cinch the job for you.
The active listening skills you can employ to connect with your interviewer
are not unique, but they are seldom used. (Think of the last time someone gave
you undivided, empathetic attention for an hour!) In some ways these skills are
an art. But, you can develop the skills with practice.
Use empathetic body language.
Both your words and body language will affect whether or not you establish a
connection with your interviewer. When you meet with your interviewer, show that
you are confident, trusting, open, attentive and eager, but restrained. All of
this can be quickly and subliminally communicated in a simple handshake. When
meeting, immediately offer a firm handshake to your interviewer.
But make sure that your hand is straight out, perpendicular to the floor. If
you extend your hand with your palm facing down, you're indicating psychologically
that you need to be in control. If you extend your hand with your palm facing
up, you're indicating that you're overly docile. Extend your hand with your palm
relatively flat, so that you make full contact palm-to-palm with your interviewer's
hand. If you cup your hand, you're indicating that you mistrust your interviewer
by lack of touch.
Likewise, your posture throughout the interview indicates whether you are open
and attentive or withdrawn from your interviewer. For example, leaning back in
your chair indicates boredom or insolence. Instead, sit up straight and lean
forward just slightly, facing your interviewer directly. Crossing your arms over
your chest indicates that you are defensive or closed-minded. Instead, keep your
arms open. Fold your hands in your lap if you don't know what to do with them,
but don't nervously wring them.
Eye contact is crucial. Look your interviewer in the eye when you are speaking
and listening. Not making eye contact or glancing way too often indicates lack
of confidence or honesty. But, to avoid giving your interviewer the impression
that you are drilling through her with a transfixed gaze, occasionally glance
away to the right or left.
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