Why ‘Connection’ is KEY in Interviews #coachingconversations

Linda RaynierAbout 2 min readMay 27, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Key Concepts

  • Self-assessment of interview performance
  • Interviewer's perception and body language
  • Importance of connection and engagement
  • Tuning into the interviewer's energy
  • Answering questions directly and thoughtfully

Assessing Interview Performance: Beyond Rehearsed Answers

The primary question addressed is: "How do I know whether I did well in the interview or not after the interview has happened?" The answer hinges on two key elements: your own subjective feeling about the interview and, crucially, your assessment of the interviewer's perception of you.

The Importance of Connection and Engagement

A critical point is that many candidates, driven by nervousness, become overly focused on their own performance – reciting prepared answers and ensuring they say the "right" things. This self-focus prevents them from truly connecting with the hiring manager.

Connecting involves:

  • Engaging with the interviewer.
  • Tuning into their energy.
  • Answering their specific questions directly, rather than providing generic, rehearsed responses.

Decoding the Interviewer's Feedback

By actively engaging and connecting, candidates can better perceive the interviewer's body language and overall feeling towards them. This allows for a more accurate assessment of how the interview is progressing in real-time. The speaker suggests that this connection can even lead to a near "telepathic" understanding of the interviewer's thoughts.

Actionable Steps and Self-Reflection

If you're unsure about the interview's success after it concludes, the speaker advises:

  1. Reflect on your own feelings about your performance.
  2. Critically assess how the hiring manager seemed to feel about you.
  3. Consider what clues you might have missed due to a lack of engagement.

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that interview success isn't solely about delivering perfect answers. It's about establishing a genuine connection with the interviewer, paying attention to their cues, and tailoring your responses to their specific needs and concerns. By shifting focus from self-performance to active engagement, candidates can gain a clearer understanding of their interview performance and improve their chances of success.

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