Contact Us | 01243 511333

The Art of Building Rapport

This image shows six hands giving the OK symbol. By ensuring you give positive body language to potential employers you can be successful.


In the last few months I have written a few Coaching suggestions that are useful when applying for employment. In the current climate with so few jobs available and so many people applying for them there has never been a time when you REALLY need to make the best impression so you can have the best chance of getting the job you want.

One of the essential parts of communicating is learning to get into rapport with someone.
So what is rapport? Well the oxford dictionaries definition is:

"Relationship or communication especially when useful and harmonious"

For me the key word is harmonious.

A few years ago I was introduced to a very elderly lady who I had not seen before. Within A FEW minutes of our encounter she stopped and looked into my eyes and said "you have amazing skills of rapport building" I have to say I was a bit taken back but was really grateful for two reasons.

1. As a life coach if I am not harmonious in my communication with people I am in the wrong job!


(She actually was completely unaware of what I do for a living which made it an even more special remark.)

2. This is a skill that can be learnt and really helps people to communicate more effectively.

Just watch two people having a laugh and in an engaging conversation, it's like a sort of dance with both people almost mirroring each others body language and tone.

So what do you do?

Well firstly relax and smile, being authentic is the key. Be genuinely interested in what they are saying ...LISTEN to them. Don't allow yourself to be distracted (mobiles, interrupting them, looking away or, worse still, at your watch!) Be really in the moment, fully present not judging or projecting any stuff that goes on in your head.


Allow yourself to mimic some of their body language (not too obviously), ask if you have understood correctly what they have said by repeating some of the things that have been said.


For example: "So what you are saying is............."
"Do you mean .................."

So I hope these tips help not just in the employment arena but in life generally.

Most of all really ENJOY the interaction people love to be listened to by someone who is really engaged.


I have written about the time I applied for a practice Nurse job and after 9 attempts I got it, I had to remain enthusiastic and be in rapport on every interaction, so keep on keeping on!


  Please share this article with your friends on Facebook - thank you.


Much of the advice on our website has been kindly provided by local companies and organisations for which we are very grateful - could you offer some advice to our visitors in return for some free coverage on our website? If so please get in touch here as we'd love to hear from you.

About The Author

This article was written by Sandra Crathern of Innavision


Author Profile

This article was written by Sandra Crathern, a passionate NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner/Life Coach/Trained Nurse. Having worked in a Doctors Surgery for 12 years she noticed that many of her patients wanted to have a healthy life style but felt unable to action it, "The how too" was missing. She has faced some serious life problems of her own until she discovered a Life coach. This had a PROFOUND effect on her life. So much so that she decided to re-train and to help others in a similar situation find the answers.



She swapped professions 4 years ago and as a result of some intensive work on herself and the skills NLP has given her, she is completely free of the issues she had, and now have the skills/tools to assist others on their own journeys.



She firmly believes her service empowers her client to make responsible choices and gives them control over their lives. If you want to learn more about Sandra's service call her now.

Logo for Innavision Sandra Crathern

Author's Contact Details

Sandra Crathern
Innavision

Telephone: 01903 520369
Telephone: 07932 618166
email »
Innavision website »

AllWorthingJobs are very grateful to Sandra Crathern and Innavision for taking the time to provide this advice, please use the contact details above if you'd like to contact Innavision.

Careers Advice

We work with experts in and around our local area to provide useful information relating to careers advice - we hope you will find these articles to be helpful. You can view our news news archive here


The photo shows a pair of hands cupping a newly sprouting tree implying a new start, for example starting a new job.

Acceptance Speech

If there's things you want in life that you feel you're not getting, it might be time to make a change, and even the smallest changes can affect you on a big scale. Sandra Crathern offers

read more
photo shows clock with smiling face

Reclaiming Time

Are these sayings familiar to you?

read more
photo shows man in a suit jumping in the air celebrating getting his new job

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 5 - Finding a New Job

Once your redundancy is dealt with and any retraining has been undertaken you will probably need to find a new job. This can seem daunting, particularly if you have not had to look for a new

read more
photo shows close of up a man's feet on a tightrope high above office buildings

Redundancy - Advice for Employers and Businesses

When we hear the word 'redundancy' it is natural to think of the impact that it will have on the person being made redundant with out regard for the difficulties inflicted upon the employer

read more
photo shows a blue piggy bank wearning glasses - he is providing financial advice to people facing redundancy

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 2 - Financial Advice

Do you know the tax implications of receiving a redundancy package and how to avoid paying unnecessary tax? If you are going to find yourself struggling financially do you know how to lessen

read more
photo shows positive image of a surfer - surfing life's trials and tribulations such as redundancy

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 1 - Knowing Your Rights

Do you know what redundancy package you are likely to receive? Do you know what the government stipulated minimum package is? As well as detailing the legal and financial aspects we will

read more
photo shows small plant overcoming advertisty and growing through a crack in hard ground

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 3 - Psychological Impact

Do you feel like you’ve lost your identity and can’t stop feeling negative? It is not only the practicalities of redundancy that need to be addressed. Redundancy can also have a massive

read more
photo shows dismayed candidate who hasnt had much luck in her career

Top 10 things not to do in a job interview

We've been asking local employers for tips on what to do in an interview – and, of course, what not to do! Here are our top 10 not to do in that all-important job interview.

read more

Working Through Despondency!

Career advice for Senior Applicants

History verses Mystery

The Art of Building Rapport

The Healthy Work Life Balance Wheel

Two tools to help you succeed

10 top tips for CV success

Recruitment during a Recession

Communication Skills

Worthing Employment & Business News

When attending interviews it's always good to be up to date with what's happening in the local business and employment sector - we hope you'll find these selected news articles interesting


Tips for understanding the job application process

<font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="2">With so many job seekers applying for any one job in today's economic climate, it's good to have an understanding of what happens to your application once you've pressed the 'send' button.</font></font> ..read more

Where are the best and worst cities to find jobs in the UK?

Despite the job market currently looking rather promising since the financial crisis, there are still cities across the country where it's much easier to find a job. ..read more

A positive attitude is a vital aspect to your job hunt

It’s often hard to remain positive when you are searching for a new job. In today’s economic climate there are so many people applying for the same job as you, often it’s easy to think you don’t even stand a chance. Job ..read more

Worthing Birdman a resounding success

This year’s Worthing Birdman was a resounding success with crowds flocking to the beach to watch all the competitors; Ron Freeman narrowly missed out on the £10,000 jackpot prize despite smashing the 100-metre flight target - ..read more

Ex Brighton and Hove City Council chief to be the new head of Worthing and Adur Councils

Alex Bailey was paid £125,000 after leaving Brighton and Hove City Council as head of strategy and governance in 2010 and is to commence his new job as chief executive of Worthing and Adur councils. ..read more


Tax centre jobs under threat in Worthing

West Sussex County Council plans to tackle Worthing's A27 traffic nightmare

Part time Jobs in Worthing

Nursing jobs in Worthing

What not to do in your Worthing job interview

Top 4 questions asked at job interviews for Worthing job seekers

Interview Tips to help you get that perfect job in Worthing

The Recruitment Process to Fill your Worthing Job

Jobs in West Sussex

How can you find the right Worthing job for you?

What is different about looking for jobs today in Worthing compared to 10 years ago

Christmas Jobs in Worthing

Worthing Job Centre

Covering Letter hints and tips for when applying for jobs in Worthing

Looking for a second job in Worthing?

Worthing College / University of Brighton / Sussex University / Chichester University

Public Sector jobs in Worthing

Information on local newspapers covering Worthing

Recruitment in Worthing

Example CV for people applying for jobs in Worthing

CV Tips for landing that perfect job in Worthing

Recruitment advertising in Worthing for Direct Employers

photo shows woman leaping whilst holding flowing coloured streamers out behind her - to give the impression of moving forwards through re training after being made redundant

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 4 - Retraining and Development

Have you thought about a new career or improving upon the skills you currently have? In this article we will offers tips and advice on increasing your 'employability' through courses and

read more
photo shows ladder reaching up to the sky - the career ladder

10 Steps to Creating Career Opportunities

It's too easy to start looking in the job section of the paper and applying for everything that has an attractive salary, car or any other perks, before falling into this trap, be really

read more
Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this information is not intended to be exhaustive or be a substitute for legal advice. The application of the law in this area will often depend upon the specific facts and you are advised to seek specific advice on any given scenario.