Ten practical techniques for building rapport quickly in user research and interviews. Covers setting time constraints, showing accommodating body language, slowing down speech, asking for help, suspending ego, validating others through active listening, asking reflective questions, connecting through reciprocity, gift giving, and managing expectations. Emphasizes focusing on the other persons needs, validating their viewpoint, and genuine listening.
People
Rob Pearson
Methods
User InterviewsUser interviews explore people’s circumstances, experiences and needs through a guided conversation. Use them when you need to understand a problem in depth or learn how a service fits into someone’s life. Recruit current or likely users, prepare open questions and possible follow-ups, and ask for concrete examples rather than idealised accounts. Start with consent, listen carefully, and allow useful unexpected topics to emerge. A discussion guide keeps the research focused without turning it into a rigid questionnaire. Interviews can accompany usability tests when you also need to observe people using a service.