Four Tactics to Help You Connect With an Interviewer

Job interviews are an experience that leaves many candidates feeling nervous or a bit awkward. A major purpose of an interview is for the hiring manager to get a sense of who you are, as both a person and a potential employee. Don’t let interview anxiety keep you from making a strong first impression – use these four tactics to help you connect with an interviewer:

1. Start with a Strong Greeting

Set a positive tone for the interview right away to make it easier to transition into building a rapport with your interviewer. Make eye contact, smile, and give a firm handshake. Introduce yourself in a clear, upbeat tone. Thank the interviewer for inviting you in and say you’re looking forward to talking further.

2. Adjust Your Demeanor

Pay careful attention to your interviewer’s personality and conversational style (e.g., casual, humorous, conservative, direct, etc.) and tailor your demeanor to match theirs. Be yourself, just within the constraints of the interviewer’s natural style. This will help you make a better connection with the interviewer since your styles won’t be clashing in an awkward manner, such as if the interviewer makes jokes, while you’re in serious “all business” mode.

3. Allow Questions to Flow Naturally

An interview should be conversational, but as a candidate, it can feel more like you don’t have control beyond just answering a round of inquiries. Be proactive and ask any relevant questions as they occur to you within the conversation, rather than bottling them all up until the end. Asking questions helps make a stronger connection with your interviewer because it makes it a more equal interaction and shows that you’re interested.

4. Express Your Appreciation

While you don’t want to appear desperate or unprofessional, “playing it cool” and suppressing your enthusiasm in the opportunity can backfire. Interviewers are human, and it’s very likely they will be flattered and feel a closer connection to you if you seem excited about the job. If something the interviewer says about the job intrigues you, say so! Make it known you are grateful for their consideration and for taking the time to interview you. Candidates who come across as passionate are often the most memorable and make the longest-lasting impressions.

Find your next job interview opportunity by working with Professional Alternatives. Since 1998, we have been privileged to partner with top professionals to match them to the opportunities that align with their career goals. Apply online to get started on your job search with Professional Alternatives.