Using Rapport to Gather Information in Virtual Interviews

Virtual interviews are an effective supplementary option for, or alternative to, traditional inperson interviews. Virtual interviews can be conducted effectively despite limitations related to a virtual context. Rapport can be established effectively with interviewees in a virtual interview. Interviewees perceive interviewers’ efforts toward building rapport in virtual interviews and report greater levels of comfort discussing a target event. The benefits of establishing rapport, and specifically enhancing the amount of information provided by interviewees, carry over to the virtual context – even for difficult-to-discuss topics (e.g., personal, embarrassing, taboo).