Everyone knows that a smiling face seems more approachable than a face that looks nervous or stern, but in a job interview it’s even more important to recognize the true power of a smile.
Sure, a job interview is serious business and you may be going there armed with everything you have, just don’t get so wrapped up in all the things you want to say that you forget to smile and enjoy the experience, because it can affect the outcome of your interview.
Even before the interview begins, it’s best to enter the building and speak to everyone with a smile, you never know when you may see them again.
The fake smile
A fake smile can be detected easily and could possibly do more harm than not smiling at all. Interviewers want to see someone who is genuine in what they say and do, so holding a fake smile won’t work here. A real smile shines through in the eyes, so don’t worry if your natural smile isn’t a picture-perfect display of pearly whites, just be yourself and enjoy the moment. Don’t try to hold a smile constantly, just be aware of your facial expressions when communicating during the interview.
Tip.
Look in the mirror and imagine introducing yourself to an employer, smiling as you say “Hi, I’m John, nice to meet you”.
You may feel silly at first, but if you are not confident about your smile, practicing is one of the best ways to feel good about it. Smiling is not a stationary expression as we may imagine it like a photograph, so using it while you speak is most effective. Call center personnel are even trained to smile while on the phone as it enhances the overall speech and conversational energy. Now introduce yourself in the mirror again, but this time say it without smiling and see the difference.
If you want to maximize your chances of receiving a job offer in the short amount of time you have during an interview, you must not only look good on paper, but also leave the recruiter with a good feeling about you.
How do you want them to picture you after the interview (or even see you on video if the interview was recorded), with your ‘concentrating’ face or your ‘I feel at home here’ happy face?
The decision is yours, but a great smile is an integral part of your interview (and life) skills, so it’s worth the effort and makes you feel good.
Looking for more interview tips to help you land your dream job?
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