Didn't Feel A Connection With The Interviewer? Here's What To Do

You start with small talk pleasantries, but the interviewer is all business. You crack a joke about your upcoming weekend plans, and the interviewer doesn’t laugh. The interview is strictly question-and-answer, more like an interrogation than a conversation. These are some examples of how a job interview might feel impersonal as if you didn’t sufficiently develop a connection with the interviewer.

However, if you don’t feel a rapport with the person on the opposite side of the job interview, it might not matter.

Connecting With The Interviewer Is Just One Factor

Likeability matters, so it’s worthwhile to try and develop a connection with the interviewer. Master the small talk at the beginning of job interviews, networking calls and other business meetings. Smile, make eye contact and nod in agreement as the interviewer is speaking. Have questions to ask the interviewer so you establish a two-way dialogue.

That said, there are other important criteria beyond connection in deciding who moves on to callback interviews and the ultimate job offer. Promote yourself as the best match for the job with specific accomplishments that match what you would be doing on the job. Show your fit to the company with examples of when you worked in similar environments – e.g., companies of a similar size, industry and culture. Prove your genuine interest by having reviewed the job description, company website and recent industry news.

Assume The Positive Until You Hear Otherwise

Send a thank you note after the interview. Follow up with the recruiter (or whoever is your main point of contact for the hiring process). Keep in touch with this interviewer — treat them as a new member of your network that you will nurture. Continue to look for additional people within the company to advance your application or open doors to other opportunities.

Do not just write off this job opening because you didn’t hit it off with one interviewer. There are typically multiple decision-makers for the ultimate hiring decision. Even if this interviewer is the most influential, you can’t know for sure that you didn’t connect. Some interviewers don’t show much emotion, are difficult to read, or are distracted, making them seem disinterested. Second-guessing your interview performance doesn’t impact the outcome and will only drive you crazy.

Don’t Let One Interview Diminish Your Enthusiasm

You don’t only want to keep your application to the company alive, but you also want to keep your own interest level high. Don’t move the company down your priority list just because of one encounter. First of all, you might be reading the interviewer incorrectly – maybe you did make a positive connection. Secondly, there will be others at the company you will work with, even if you and this interviewer aren’t fit (right now, as this might change!). This interviewer is not the culture-bearer of the entire company. Finally, there are other reasons than this interviewer and any colleagues to want this job – the role might be an ideal next career step, the industry might be your dream field, the compensation could be great, you might really need a job right now.

Prepare For Future Interviews That Might Lack Connection

Ideally, you do everything you can to develop rapport (hence the above tips to master small talk, smile, etc.). But if that doesn’t seem to work, make sure you’re such a qualified candidate that it doesn’t matter. Have tangible results to share that match the role. Be prepared for skills testing if the company uses skills-based hiring. Prepare for popular interview questions (e.g., are you a team player??Tell me about yourself ).

Always follow up. The interview is just the first meeting. You might be able to nurture a stronger connection over time.

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