🎙️Art of the Interview Unit 4 – Active Listening: Building Interview Rapport

What's Active Listening?

• Involves fully concentrating on what the other person is saying
• Requires the listener to understand, respond and remember what is being said
• Includes paying attention to the speaker's body language and other nonverbal cues
• Demonstrates to the speaker that you are engaged and interested in what they are saying
• Helps build trust and rapport between the listener and speaker
• Encourages the speaker to open up and share more information
• Allows the listener to gain a deeper understanding of the speaker's perspective and experiences

Why It Matters in Interviews

• Helps establish a positive and productive relationship with the interviewee
• Demonstrates respect for the interviewee and their experiences
• Encourages the interviewee to share more detailed and honest responses
• Allows the interviewer to gather more comprehensive and accurate information
• Helps the interviewer identify key themes and insights from the interviewee's responses
• Enables the interviewer to ask more targeted and relevant follow-up questions
• Increases the likelihood of the interviewee feeling heard and valued, leading to a more positive interview experience

Key Active Listening Techniques

• Paraphrasing: Restating what the speaker has said in your own words to ensure understanding
• Clarifying: Asking questions to gain a clearer understanding of what the speaker is saying
• Reflecting: Mirroring the speaker's feelings and emotions to show empathy and understanding
• Summarizing: Providing a brief overview of the main points the speaker has made
• Encouraging: Using verbal and nonverbal cues to encourage the speaker to continue sharing
• Avoiding interruptions: Allowing the speaker to finish their thoughts without interrupting or interjecting
• Maintaining eye contact: Demonstrating engagement and attention through appropriate eye contact

Building Rapport: The Basics

• Find common ground by identifying shared interests, experiences, or values
• Use the interviewee's name throughout the conversation to create a personal connection
• Smile and maintain an open, friendly demeanor to put the interviewee at ease
• Show genuine interest in the interviewee's responses and experiences
• Use humor when appropriate to lighten the mood and create a more relaxed atmosphere
• Offer empathy and understanding when the interviewee shares difficult or emotional experiences
  • Acknowledge the interviewee's feelings and perspective
  • Avoid judgment or criticism of the interviewee's experiences or decisions

Nonverbal Cues That Show You're Listening

• Nodding your head to indicate understanding and encouragement
• Leaning slightly forward to demonstrate engagement and interest
• Maintaining an open posture with uncrossed arms and legs
• Using facial expressions that match the tone of the conversation (e.g., smiling during positive stories, showing concern during difficult experiences)
• Avoiding distracting behaviors such as fidgeting, looking at your phone, or glancing around the room
• Maintaining appropriate eye contact without staring or looking away too frequently
• Using verbal affirmations like "mhm" or "I see" to show you are following along

Common Active Listening Pitfalls

• Interrupting the speaker before they have finished their thought
• Allowing distractions (e.g., phone notifications, background noise) to pull your attention away from the conversation
• Formulating your next question or response while the speaker is still talking, rather than fully focusing on what they are saying
• Making assumptions or jumping to conclusions about the speaker's experiences or perspective
• Failing to ask follow-up questions or clarify points of confusion
• Letting personal biases or preconceived notions influence your understanding of the speaker's message
• Neglecting to provide verbal and nonverbal feedback to show you are engaged and listening

Practicing Your Skills

• Engage in role-play exercises with a partner to simulate interview scenarios
  • Take turns being the interviewer and interviewee
  • Practice using active listening techniques and building rapport
• Record yourself during mock interviews to identify areas for improvement
  • Analyze your nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and body language
  • Assess your use of active listening techniques like paraphrasing and reflecting
• Seek feedback from others on your active listening skills
  • Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to observe a mock interview and provide constructive criticism
  • Participate in workshops or training sessions focused on active listening and interviewing skills
• Set specific goals for improving your active listening abilities
  • Identify one or two key areas to focus on, such as avoiding interruptions or asking more follow-up questions
  • Track your progress over time and adjust your goals as needed

Applying Active Listening in Different Interview Scenarios

• Adapt your active listening approach to suit the specific context and purpose of the interview
  • In a journalistic interview, focus on gathering facts and details while maintaining objectivity
  • In a therapeutic or counseling setting, prioritize empathy and emotional understanding
• Tailor your questions and responses to the interviewee's unique experiences and background
  • When interviewing an expert in a particular field, use industry-specific terminology and demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter
  • When interviewing someone from a different cultural background, be mindful of potential differences in communication styles and norms
• Adjust your nonverbal cues and body language to create a comfortable and appropriate atmosphere
  • In a more formal or professional interview, maintain a more reserved and polished demeanor
  • In a casual or intimate setting, use a more relaxed and friendly approach to build rapport
• Remain flexible and responsive to the interviewee's needs and preferences throughout the conversation
  • If the interviewee appears uncomfortable or hesitant, slow down the pace of the interview and provide reassurance
  • If the interviewee is eager to share more, allow them the space to expand on their thoughts and experiences