The Power of a Smile

mac r.j

I believe it was Louis Armstrong that first said “When you are smiling, keep smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” I think Louis was definitely on to something.  The power of a smile is so infectious that this technique will increase your chances of getting the job that you want.

You need to portray a sense of friendliness when you are networking.  People do not want to help out someone who looks sad and timid at social networking events. Often times, those who do not smile are seen as social outcast or not approachable.  So, the majority of people that approach individuals who do not smile may be somewhat intimidated and probably won’t help that individual with their career endeavors.  Whether you are going to a networking meeting or meeting a contact for coffee, you have to remember to smile on a consistent basis. This will make you seem more friendlier.

Another great opportunity to smile is during the phone interview.  I know that many people might think.  Huh?  Why should I smile during a phone interview?  One may say, The interviewer can not see me.  How would they know my body language or mood based on hearing me on the phone.  Trust me.  A recruiter, even one with a week’s worth of experience, can tell the difference between a happy candidate and a depressed candidate.  It’s okay to feel down and depressed, but you should never under any circumstances display this emotion, during the interview.  People want to hire individuals that are enthusiastic.  Not smiling is the worst way to portray this.  If you smile more on phone interviews, not only will you sound more energetic, but this will increase your chances of getting a second interview.

One of the most important times to smile is during an in-person interview.  Yes, I said it; you need to be able to smile when you are trying to impress a company while persuading the hiring manager to hire you.  I know many of you are thinking.  But what if I am nervous that day?  Well, it is normal to be nervous during the interview. However, you need to calm your nerves and smile.  Even when you are smiling while you are a little timid, you won’t look as nervous. People who smile give the perception that they are pleasant to be around.  People who don’t smile give quit the opposite impression.  Sometimes not smiling can give a false impression of the candidate: not a team player, anti-social, or mean.  Despite the fact that many hiring managers may not smile during the interview, as part of a Jedi mind trick  that many recruiters like to use to make interviewees uncomfortable, you need to smile during interview.

When you smile, you become more likable and more people will tend to like you too. So, lose that frown and start smiling more.