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.
Being confident can definitely get you way ahead of others competing for the same job position. And a smile is the best symbol of confidence. Not only does it create a good impression on the interviewer but it can also make you happy and feel positive during the interview.
What does it mean if an interviewer smiles at you?
When an interviewer is having a great time getting to know you, they'll typically display body language that reflects this. They may smile throughout the interview and make constant eye contact, which are clear signs that they're interested in your answers, questions and stories.
Essentially, you just need to relax and act natural. A good rule of thumb is to smile at the beginning, and again at the end of the interview. Anything that comes in between should be the casual result of the conversation you're having with the interviewer. Don't over think it.
Why should you avoid excessive smiling in a job interview?
Common cultural knowledge dictates that you want to come across as friendly or approachable. However, smiling “too much” during an interview makes you seem less serious, or worse, less competent. Some jobs are seen as more serious than others.
“I'm a little nervous.” Acknowledging that your nerves are getting the better of you might actually help you shake off your nervousness. Most interviewers have been there, too, at some point in their career and will understand.
It is okay to be nervous for an interview. I think this is important to say, because it is not often included in interview preparation advice. Being nervous demonstrates that you care about the position you are interviewing for and it is something you really want. That is a good thing.
Can you mess up an interview and still get the job?
If you're lucky, they may just look past whatever snafu happened during the interview—big or small—and give you the job anyway. Of course, this is mainly likely to happen despite a less-than-ideal interview, you have relevant experience and the desired qualifications for the job.
Poor preparation before an interview is an obvious killer and 75% of the interviews fail because the candidate didn't expect some of the questions asked or didn't know enough about the company… I think you will all agree that an unprepared person is easily noticeable whatever the situation…
Do your looks matter when applying for jobs? The short answer is yes. Your appearance should matter very little when your skills and capabilities match the job requirements, but unfortunately, that is not always the case when it comes to hiring.
Don't ever flirt in your job interview. The interviewer might simply be testing you to gauge how you react — or worse, you might have misinterpreted their gestures and body language when they meant nothing of that sort.
Overall, 90% of employers said having a professional appearance is an important aspect of successfully navigating the hiring process at their company. For what it's worth, 57% of employers said they're more lenient about appearances if an applicant is younger than 24.
