First Impressions Count: Your first impression in the job interview counts in so many different ways. How you present & introduce yourself can either help or ruin any chance of a good rapport with the interviewer. Be warm and welcoming when greeting them, giving them the appropriate handshake (remember not to shake a woman’s hand with a strong grip). Don’t come across as arrogant or unfriendly.
Small Talk: The job interviewer is a meeting that is very formal but there is always a bit of small talk, especially at the beginning of the interviewer. If you’re wondering what small talk is, it’s the part when the interviewer asks “How are you today?” While this is not only used to help you ease into the interview, it a method used to gage if there can be any potential rapport. Make sure you answer in a positive manner and never forget to enquire about them e.g. “I’m fine thank you. How are you today?” or “Besides a bit wet from the weather I’m good thank you. How’s you today?”
Smiling: The power of the smile should not be underestimated in the interview. Not only does it help you to be seen as more approachable and welcoming but also more engaging. Be warned that if you try to force a smile, an interviewer will stop that and it’ll do more harm than good.
Focus On What You Say & How You Say It: When you are engaging the interviewer, it’s important that you realise that what you say or how it’s said can have an impact on the dynamic of the interview. Candidates whose answers come across as arrogant or cocky will not help them build up a rapport. Your responses should be coming across as positive and friendly as you can. Try to avoid words that may cause offence or come across as negative.
Listening: Many of you interviewees have probably sat in your job interview wondering is your interviewer actually listening to you. Well, they are wondering the same of you. By demonstrating that you are listening will help develop rapport with the interviewer. By asking for clarification or mentioning a point that you heard earlier on from the interviewer not only shows you are listening but are very attentive. Interviewers are more engaging if they know the candidate is actively listening to the questions and statements being made.
Body Language: If you haven’t realised it already, the right positive body language can help in your interview. If you want to develop the rapport with your interviewer, you need to demonstrate that you are approachable, engaging and positive. You need to look at how you greet the interviewer, how you sit in the interviewer & how your body language comes across when responding to enquires. Avoid all aspects that be considered as rude and negative.