How to Use Empathy in Interviewing

Create a relaxed environment for an easier interview.

The process of interviewing for school, an internship or a job is one of the most nerve racking experiences person goes through throughout her life. Coming as prepared as possible, the interviewee sits face-to-face with a person who will help to determine his future opportunities. To make the interview process smoother and more enjoyable for both parties, use empathy to identify with the feelings of the interviewee. As the interviewer, you will get to know the interviewee better if he is comfortable, relaxed and open.

Instructions

1. Welcome the interviewee into your office at the scheduled time of the interview. The interviewee has made an effort to arrive on schedule and perhaps five to 10 minutes ahead of schedule. If you keep the interviewee waiting, she has more time to become anxious and may feel forgotten about.

2. Introduce yourself and ask the interviewee for his name. Begin from a standing position before you both take your seats. Ask simple, personable questions to make small talk before jumping into the interview. For example, ask the interviewee how his morning has been so far.

3. Outline the basic structure of the interview. Give the order of events, such as asking practical questions, taking a written test or demonstrating a physical skill, depending on the job you're hiring for and the skills required.

4. Give your interviewee a reasonable amount of time to think and answer each question. If you help the interviewee along too readily, it may seem as though you're rushing him. If you don't offer any encouragement on difficult questions, the silence may make him nervous. If the interviewee seems stuck on a question, offer small comments for support. Move on when the answer hits an obvious dead end.

5. Listen closely to the tone of the interviewees voice and the detail of her answers. If her sentences are short, rushed or incomplete, and if her voice is wavering, she is most likely nervous. Watch her body language. If she fidgets, changes seating position, and fails to look you in the eyes consistently, she is most likely nervous. Offer a calming smile, adjust your sitting position to something more casual, stop writing notes and focus on listening actively. If none of these things work, tell the interviewee she's doing fine. Whether or not you decide to hire her, these actions make the interview more pleasant.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask to view the interviewees resume when you schedule your appointment. Have him send it to your email or mail it to your office before the interview. Reviewing an interviewee's resume in silence while he's present is nerve-racking and awkward.

References

• EQI: Empathy
• Maui Analysis; Behavioral Interview Questions
• Psychipoeia; Use Empathy to Master Your Next Job Interview; David Lindskoog
• "Inc."; Conduct a Job Interview; Sarak Kessler