7.3 Building trust and rapport with interview subjects
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Building trust and rapport is crucial for successful interviews. It's all about creating a comfortable environment where subjects feel safe to open up and share their stories honestly.
Mastering nonverbal cues, , and are key skills. By focusing on these techniques, interviewers can establish authentic connections that lead to more meaningful and insightful conversations with their subjects.
Nonverbal Communication
Interpreting and Using Body Language
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encompasses posture, gestures, and facial expressions
Open posture with uncrossed arms signals receptiveness and encourages open communication
Leaning slightly forward demonstrates engagement and interest in the conversation
Mirroring interviewee's body language builds connection and rapport (subtle mimicry of posture or gestures)
Hand gestures can emphasize points or convey emotions, but should be used sparingly to avoid distraction
Facial expressions communicate emotions and reactions, requiring awareness to maintain neutrality when necessary
Effective Use of Eye Contact
establishes connection and shows attentiveness to the interviewee
Maintaining appropriate eye contact varies across cultures (direct eye contact in Western cultures, indirect in some Asian cultures)
Aim for 60-70% eye contact during conversations in most Western contexts
Break eye contact periodically to avoid making the interviewee uncomfortable
Use eye contact to encourage elaboration on topics by maintaining gaze when the interviewee pauses
Observe interviewee's eye movements for nonverbal cues (looking up may indicate recalling information, looking down might suggest discomfort)
Active Listening
Techniques for Active Listening
Focus entirely on the speaker, avoiding distractions or preparing responses while they speak
Use verbal and nonverbal cues to show engagement (nodding, saying "mm-hmm" or "I see")
Paraphrase key points to confirm understanding and show attentiveness
Ask clarifying questions to deepen understanding and encourage elaboration
Avoid interrupting the speaker, allowing them to complete their thoughts
Practice reflective listening by summarizing the speaker's message in your own words
Cultivating Empathy and Respect
Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of the interviewee
Develop empathy by imagining yourself in the interviewee's position
Demonstrate empathy through validating statements (That must have been challenging for you)
Show respect by valuing the interviewee's time, opinions, and experiences
Address the interviewee by their preferred name and title
Respect cultural differences in communication styles and personal boundaries
Acknowledge the interviewee's expertise or unique perspective on the topic
Building Rapport
Establishing Trust Through Self-disclosure and Authenticity
involves sharing appropriate personal information to create connection
Begin with lighter topics before moving to more personal or sensitive subjects
Share relevant experiences that relate to the interview topic
Authenticity requires being genuine in your interactions and reactions
Admit when you don't know something instead of pretending to understand
Use natural language and avoid jargon to create a comfortable atmosphere
Show genuine interest in the interviewee's responses through follow-up questions
Navigating Cultural Sensitivity and Confidentiality
Cultural sensitivity involves respecting and adapting to diverse cultural norms
Research the interviewee's cultural background before the interview when possible
Be aware of cultural differences in communication styles (direct vs indirect)
Avoid assumptions based on stereotypes or generalizations
builds trust and encourages honest responses
Clearly explain how the interview information will be used and stored
Obtain for recording or publishing interview content
Respect the interviewee's right to decline answering certain questions
Protect the interviewee's identity when requested or necessary (using pseudonyms)