You have got yourself into the right mindset for your job interview using mental imagery, and you have picked out a killer outfit based on power colour theory. But wait, there’s more! The final tip we have for your job interview is to use a tactic called the Chameleon Effect.

The Chameleon Effect

The Chameleon Effect is the mimicking of mannerisms, gestures, and facial expressions of the person that you are interacting with (Chartrand & Bargh, 1999, p. 893). The Chameleon Effect has been shown to have a positive effect on social interactions and is associated with higher levels of empathy and likeability. This in turn has a positive effect on the attention-span of the person you are interacting with and helps them to form a deeper connection with you (Ohwovoriole, 2021).

How to use the Chameleon Effect 

The Chameleon Effect is often an unconscious act, but you can actively practise this skill by ensuring eye contact, listening carefully to the other person, matching their pitch and tone of voice, and even using the same words and type of language as them (Ohwovoriole, 2021). Don’t overdo this – you may achieve the opposite effect and come across as mocking the interviewer if you focus too hard on imitating everything they are doing!

Want to learn more?

Check out the references below if you’d like to do some further reading about the Chameleon Effect.

If you’d like to speak to a professional recruiter about how to ace your next interview, get in touch!

Deedee Allison
Senior Recruitment Consultant | relatbl
0459 985 117
deedee.allison@relatbl.com.au

Brydie Murphy
Senior Recruitment Consultant | relatbl
0403 182 772
brydie.murphy@relatbl.com.au

References

Chartrand, T. L., & Bargh, J. A. (1999). The Chameleon Effect: the perception-behaviour link and social interaction. Journal of Personality Social Psychology, 76(6), 893-910. 10.1037//0022-3514.76.6.893.

Ohwovoriole, T. (2021). What is the Chameleon Effect? Very Well Mind, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-chameleon-effect-5114522.