What goal does building rapport during an interview aim to achieve?

Building rapport during an interview is primarily aimed at creating a bond of trust between the interviewer and the interviewee. This approach encourages openness and honesty, which can lead to a more fruitful exchange of information. When individuals feel a sense of trust, they are more likely to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions.

Establishing this trust can also reduce anxiety for the interviewee, making them more comfortable and willing to engage in the conversation. This rapport can be a crucial element in gathering valuable information and understanding the context of the situation being discussed, which can ultimately lead to better investigative outcomes.

In contrast, intimidating the interviewee may lead to resistance or uncooperative behavior, while attempting to gather incriminating evidence without establishing trust could result in the interviewee withholding information. Likewise, controlling the conversation rigidly might stifle any genuine exchange of information and detract from the overall objective of understanding the interviewee’s perspective.