8 Benefits Of Smiling In an Interview

Happiness Is Contagious

Happiness is contagious! If you walk into a room – or in my instance, a lash training course – with a smile and great energy, you are that much more likely to close the deal, make the sale, and start a great relationship. A lot of people think business is about being ruthless and cold, but a friendly and warm approach can open a lot of doors as well.

It Makes You Happier

Smiling is just as important for the self as it is for others. Although it is true that smiling makes you more approachable and friendly, it also makes you happier! When you smile, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin, otherwise known as the perfect cocktail for happiness. So next time you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, doing any activity that can result in a smile is exactly what the doctor would order.

Self-Confidence

As someone who has successfully treated thousands of patients and their smiles, I can say that the benefit of a good smile is self-confidence. You know when your smile doesn’t look good, and other people notice when your teeth have a poor aesthetic. When there’s a doubt in a personal appearance, there tends to be a lack of confidence in the person. However, when people walk out of our clinics with a better smile, you can almost feel the immediate boost in confidence that person has due to a smile. This renewed confidence has such a positive impact on people’s lives.

It Releases Stress And Anxiety

Just like a great workout or long-distance run, smiling releases chemicals (endorphins) that serve to produce a natural “high” and help to manage and relieve stress and anxiety. This leads to a natural calming effect and a decreased heart rate which offers medical benefits as well. Smile more to get that high without vigorous exercise.

It Can Improve The Mood Of Others

As a former performance coach, smiling is the go-to when nervous during a performance because it helps slow down your breathing, centers you and your thoughts. Smiles are inviting when authentic and can change one’s mood. Ever felt someone smile over the phone or sensed someone is smiling while wearing a mask? It can become infectious, just like yawning if genuine.

It’s The Icebreaker Of Greetings

Smiling isn’t just a thing to do when someone is happy. It’s also a way to let people know that you’re approachable. Have you ever been new somewhere and had to ask someone for help? Who do you look to first—the person who never smiles or the person who is always smiling? When you talk on the phone, remember to smile. The more you smile while talking on the phone, the more friendly your tone sounds, which helps in customer service.

Positive Feedback Loop

Smiling provides a positive feedback loop that can help reduce stress and maintain a positive mental attitude in the most strenuous of situations. This, in turn, can help lower heart rate and provide calmness and focus on overcoming most tasks.

Earning Other’s Trust

One of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my career is that there is a huge return on investment in kindness. When people perceive you as a warm, welcoming, kind individual, they trust you. When they trust you, they want to hire you, and they want to do business with you. Smiling is arguably the simplest way to give off a kind demeanor. With a smile, you’ve already done 80% of the battle of winning people’s trust. If you’re in any industry, especially the retail industry, you need something more than a good product to win people over. You need a trustworthy brand, and an executive who isn’t afraid to put a smile on their face helps build that brand.

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published.