Building Rapport (Rapport building)

Establishing rapport, or rapport, with the interviewer is a subtle but powerful skill that can positively influence their perception of you.

It's about creating a comfortable and enjoyable connection during the conversation.

What is rapport and why is it important?

Rapport is that sense of mutual understanding and comfort that is established between two people who communicate well. In an interview, building rapport is important because:

• It creates a more relaxed atmosphere conducive to a smooth conversation.
• It helps the interviewer see you not just as a candidate, but as a pleasant person to work with.
• It can tip the balance in your favor in case of doubt between candidates with similar profiles.

Although it sometimes comes naturally, it often requires a conscious effort.

Simple techniques (leaning in slightly, active listening, genuine smile, using name, referencing the conversation, empathy).

You can use simple techniques, often based on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), to help build rapport:

Leaning slightly forward: Show interest and engagement in what the interviewer is saying.

Practice active listening: Focusing fully on the interviewer, making eye contact and showing that you understand their points (as we saw in the previous point) is critical to creating rapport.

Genuine smile: Smiling naturally and appropriately creates warmth.

Use the interviewer's name: Mentioning their name occasionally during the conversation makes it more personal.

Referencing the conversation: Making comments such as "As you mentioned earlier..." or "Related to what you were saying about..." shows that you have been attentive and connected.

Be genuine: Don't pretend to be someone you're not; authenticity is key.

Show empathy: Try to understand the interviewer's perspective, put yourself in