I have conducted enough interviews by now to realize that most people on the other end of the line or chair on the opposite side of the table experience at least some nerves in varying degrees. This is absolutely normal, especially until the ice is broken and apprehensions are eased. Once and interviewee feels a bit more comfortable, and some rapport is built, the remainder of the interview is a breeze. The question for many interviewees though is how to break the ice initially and establish that connection?
I have found that the world of sports provides a popular set of topics that most people can relate to. One reason why is become something new happens every day, and fresh topics are always available. Unlike some potentially controversial topics such as politics or religion, sports are an avenue that most people view as entertainment and an outlet from the doldrums of everyday life. Honestly, I have to admit that in addition to building an instant rapport, there is just a likeability factor about people who follow sports.
When conducting interviews, I almost inevitably find myself bringing up something sports related with regard to the football or basketball team at the college the candidate graduated from, or about a professional team in the city in which they live. Part of my job as an interviewer is to help the individual being interviewed feel at ease, and if I can find a topic related to sports that helps him/her relax and move the mind away from anxiety for a few moments, then what I will learn during the course of the interview will be that much greater. This is turn helps me make a much better assessment of the skills, background and personality of each candidate.
What if you don’t know much about sports? I’m certainly not inferring you have to be a sports expert. Taking a little bit of time asking questions to people around you who are sports fans, learning about the history of your school’s football team, or catching an episode of SportsCenter on ESPN can be ways of generating enough knowledge that a topic (or topics) can be fresh in your mind to discuss if needed. Researching some of the best coaches or players in sports (present or past) can be great ways to bring up aspects of leadership and strategy. Think of other aspects relevant to the interview you are preparing for that you could wind into a sports topic.
As with any topic though, there is also a line in sports that should not be crossed. There are some sports fans who are passionate enough about their teams that they will not take too kindly to anything negative being said about that team. In these cases it is best to avoid that particular team altogether. For instance, if you are a Red Sox fan, and you notice Yankees logos plastered all over the interviewers Facebook page or office wall, you may want to use caution before saying anything baseball related. The same holds true with checking out the interviewers LinkedIn profile beforehand; if he/she attended Michigan and you are a die-hard Ohio State fan, it’s probably a good idea to avoid the topic of last fall’s football game. The last thing you want to do is inject negativity into what could be an otherwise wonderful interview by harping on sports or college rivalries.
And as a reminder, make sure to avoid any topic related to anything of a sexual nature, race, disabilities, marital status, religion, pregnancy or child care accommodations – we can’t ask them so there is no need to bring them up on your own, and offer up information voluntarily that could lead to your being passed over. It’s much harder for you to claim an unlawful interview when you imparted the information willingly. The best rule of thumb to follow – avoid talking about any of these topics during any interview situation. Also make sure to familiarize yourself with illegal questions that you should not be asked during an interview.
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