Creating Chemistry in Interviews

The most successful interviews are the result of great chemistry. It can be a struggle to find qualified applicants. If that struggle goes on long enough, hiring managers begin to be less particular over certain requirements and then suddenly it doesn’t matter as much whether you know how to use InDesign or QuickBooks. They’re more willing to train you if they like you. Being liked is all about chemistry. Your ability to quickly establish rapport and build chemistry should be strategic. Successful chemistry building is comprised of three main things…

…personality, value, and interest.

Personality is the most important element of creating chemistry. Common interests, experiences, and an ability to make sincere and interesting small talk are great ways to build rapport and create chemistry. People are more likely to make accommodations for boxes you don’t check if they like your personality. If you’re naturally an introvert, finding ways to build rapport and highlight your personality may be a struggle. A great way to combat this is to practice making small talk in a way that engages others and puts them at ease. Think of a few talking points ahead of time that would apply in multiple situations. There is a reason people talk about the weather when they don’t know what to say. For example:

They say: How about this nice weather we’ve been having!
Response #1: I know, it’s so beautiful out.
Response #2: I know, it’s so beautiful out. What would you want to be doing if you weren’t at work right now? *Now you’ve just asked a thoughtful question that prompts your interviewer to share something personal. Let the chemistry building begin! Whether they’d want to be out fishing, gardening, reading, or at the beach, their response helps shift the interview from a formal process among strangers to a conversation among potential colleagues and it begins to build a connection.

Adding value is another critical part of building chemistry. Show your interviewer why it’s a smart decision to hire you. This means demonstrating how you’ll add value by speaking to specific areas mentioned in the job description and offering examples of ways you will help solve a problem they have. For example: 

They say: Tell me why you’d be a great fit for this job?
Response #1: I have a lot of relevant experience and I think I’d be a great fit on your team.
Response #2: I’m passionate about marketing and customer service. When I read the job description for this role, I was excited because it sounded like you were looking for someone to support your marketing department and manage client accounts. This is exactly what I’ve been doing in my current job and I feel that my communication, time management, work ethic, and design skills would be a real asset to your team.

Your own interest and enthusiasm is another important piece of building chemistry. Why do you want the job? What is it about the role that interests you? Why do you want to work for this company as opposed to another? Make sure your interviewer understands that you’ve done your research and your interest is genuine. You should be able to spell out the reasons why you want to work specifically for them. For example: 

They say: Why do you want to work for us?
Response #1: I saw the job posted and it seemed like it would be a great fit for my skillset. You seem like a great place to work and I’m looking for a way to get my foot in the door in this industry.
Response #2: You’re amazing at what you do! I’ve followed your company for a while on social media and have admired the content you post and the wonderful reviews you have from clients. I’d really enjoy assisting the team with creating targeted marketing campaigns. I’d also really love to work closely with your clients to deliver outstanding service and results, and hopefully continue to add many more glowing reviews.