When you’re hiring the right people for your company, it’s useful to build a good connection with the candidates during the interview. By creating a relaxed environment, the candidate will relax themselves and be easier to work with as you go through the questioning process.

A relaxed candidate will be more open and forthcoming with the evidence you need.

Contrary to what you might believe, applying stress in the interview as a test of their response to it is likely to backfire. You probably won’t be able to use whatever information they provide to you under such pressure – it won’t be reliable evidence.

Candidates are already nervous during interviews. They really want the job, so they might be feeling tense and on edge. As the interviewer, it’s your job to make them feel at ease.

Start things off by breaking the ice and having a casual chat. Small talk is great to establish a personal connection. You can talk about common interests, ask how they got here, or even share a bit about the company culture. This sets the stage for a more productive and open conversation.

Then when you’re asking questions, make sure they’re effective.

Taking a few moments building rapport is a crucial part of the interview process. By creating a relaxed and open atmosphere, you can get better quality information that you can use to evaluate candidates effectively and make smart hiring choices.

Remember, the candidates are also checking you out, so make sure to leave a positive impression. It’s in your interest to treat them professionally – expect that everything you say and do will end up on a career website somewhere.