“Breaking the ice during job interviews without breaking the law is tougher than it sounds. Personal questions at job interviews are risky, legal experts say; they recommend interviewers stick to job-related inquiries, which are a safer way to build rapport.“
“Casey recommended building rapport with applicants through job-related questions, such as: work experiences, companies worked for and skills that were acquired; training and education taken; courses taken; and education and training found most helpful to their jobs or the position an applicant is seeking.”
– Allen Smith, J.D., “Interview Icebreakers Can Land You in Hot Water”, SHRM, May 28, 2021, https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/Pages/interview-icebreakers.aspx
The Safe Way To Create Rapport With An Interview Candidate
It can be tough to break the ice with a candidate.
The safe way to create rapport with an interview candidate is to give a brief summary of what you love about working for the company. This starts the interview on a positive note and allows the candidate to share positive things that they have heard about or experienced as a customer of the business.
Overall, sticking to facts about the company and only asking questions that pertain to the job position is the surest way to stay out of hot water!
Jennifer Adcock, MS, SPHR, SHRMP-SCP, CSP, sHRBP – Jennifer applies her expertise in strategic human resources and leadership training to support her clients in the development of their organizational infrastructure and their people. She works together with clients to create, deliver, and implement a plan of action that supports the company’s present and future goals. As a strategist, Jennifer collaborates with business leaders and executives to create and implement plans of action with regard to training, employee retention, policies & procedures, performance management systems, and employee development plans.
