Why would you want to get to know your interviewer?
Your relationship with your interviewer (and the rest of the media crew for that matter) might be the difference between a pleasant chat with friends and a disastrous and rigorous dirt-digging session. Which would you prefer?
People like people who are similar
We propose there are two reasons for getting to know that person who is going to grill you on air really well: 1) it will make them more inclined to like you and 2) it will make you more inclined to like them. Mirroring is a well researched effect. It’s very powerful yet also very simple. So here’s how to apply it.
Research – use Twitter, use social Media
Twitter is the friend of the researcher. Using nothing more than time and wifi, you can discover so much about your forthcoming interviewer.
Look out for:
Football or sports teams that they support – and then find out about these teams yourself. Even go to a game if time allows.
Causes or charities that they are sympathetic with – find out about these causes and aim to understand more about them, what they support, where they operate, etc
Comedians they follow – then go watch them on YouTube, or even check them out at a gig
Films they appreciate – time to visit your local cinema (who said research had to be boring?)
Music they enjoy – buy the download, check them out on YouTube, ask your friends/family
Books and plays they enjoy – see link
Next step – apply the research
With all the background work you have just done on your interviewer there must be plenty you can now chat to them about. Your aim – to be one of their tribe. The nice person that also happens to support a bee charity, loves the same obscure band “Fat Mattress Magic Forest” (yes they exist: link), and who will share the same jokes.
Warning: Keep this authentic.
If you research thoroughly enough you are bound to find something that you both share as an interest. Maintain your integrity and be true to yourself – anything less will be obvious and positively detrimental.
Topics to avoid
Politics – never safe. Remember there are actually people in the UK who do like Trump. So don’t assume everyone has the same views.
Religion – avoid like the plague.
And anything contentious.
Your aim as you get to know your interviewer, is simply to be a similar type of person, with a similar outlook. And once you’ve done the research you may well find you are exactly that anyway. Good luck and enjoy the experience.