Build Rapport with Your Interviewer

You are a technical person. If you are like me, you might be pretty geeky. I don't think there's anything wrong with that (!), but you might need to think about your social skills so you can build rapport with your interviewer.

Building rapport with your interviewer is an intangible thing, but it leads to a great conversation and a way to showcase your skills. Make sure you make contact with the interviewer as a human being.

Here's how:

1. Stand up when you meet the other person, extend your hand to shake, and look at their eyes. Yes, looking directly at someone else's eyes is a Western approach to making contact, but I am. If your culture is different, and you're interviewing with someone else from that culture, do what is appropriate. Standing up is almost always appropriate. In some cultures, women don't shake with men, nor do people look each other in the eyes. But if you're in the West, make sure you do.
2. Give a brief but firm handshake. No limp fish handshakes. Yes, you can practice shaking hands with a friend or family member.
3. Now you're into the small talk part of building rapport. Say, "Hello, it's nice to meet you" or something like that. Now, you can start into the real small talk. "When we spoke on the phone, I was intrigued by something-or-other." Mention the project, or the organization, or the position. That's usually enough to get the interviewer started. But if not, be ready with an open-ended question. "It seems like a really complex project. How is it organized?" 

As you speak through the interview, continue to make eye contact every so often with your interviewer.  Keep your interviewing skills in mind, and you'll do well.

At the end of the interview, ask the hiring manager for a business card so you can write a thank you note. I'm old fashioned and prefer a handwritten note, but an email might be good enough. Learn enough about the hiring manager so you know!

Being geeky doesn't mean you have zero social skills. It just means that you (and I) have to work on them a little. A little practice will go a long way.