How Much Should I Smile During Interviews to Come Across as Likable?
In interviews, how often should I be smiling? Should I always try to maintain a happy expression or a slight smile throughout the interview, or is should I just be enthusiastic when answering questions and keep a neutral expression when the interviewer is speaking?
I feel like having a constant grin would look weird.
Thanks!
You shouldn't smile at all. Keep your mouth shut and maintain a stiff smolder. In fact, don't even talk at all. Don't respond to any questions, just look at the interviewer.
Look at the smile on his face. Ear to ear, baby!
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Do people normally just have a neutral expression on their faces when answering or when the interviewer asks a question?
Smiling during interviews (Originally Posted: 08/27/2008)
This may seem like a weird question but what do people think of smiling a few times during interviews. It seem like at some of these conservative banks....smiling when talking = unprofessional.. Any comment would be appreciated.
the more the better.
what if you have a ugly smile? should you still smile?
smiling is extremely helpful, along with laughing that is somewhat respectful and whanot
i smile/laugh a lot in general, and i swear this is just a great natural thing to have...plus it is a decent indicator of your attitude i think
As dosk points out in his blog, one of the tips he had for summer analysts was to always be smiling: no matter how much work you have, no matter how tough the questions, etc. maintain that smile and people make judgements on your attitude: good ones. Check his entry on advice for SAs.
I agree. I think smiling not only projects a good attitude, but gives off the suggestion that even in the designed high presure environment of the interview process, you're keeping cool. That suggests you've done your homework, and have come well prepared not just with what to say, but with your reasons for being there.
Agreed...smiling make's the person interviewing you feel comfortable, as though you're enjoying the experience. The more you can turn the interview into a discussion vs Q&A, the better. Smile and relax...you'll be suprised at how well the interview goes.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/06/24/how.2b.optimist/index…
Agreed, smiling naturally makes you calm down and sound more natural. Even if you are doing a phone interview, smile and it will change the way you sound even though the interviewer cannot see you.
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Smiling is good and fine, but don't overdo it. Interviewer might think you're drunk or not being sincere. Use only when appropriate.
I always make sure I have a pleasant demeanor when I'm interviewing. I smile naturally when I speak to people in general, and not only in interviews. It exudes a sense of relaxation and confidence. In this business, good appearance is a powerful supplement to good intellect. Body language counts as much as the words you speak.
You should try working on the body language component. So often, there's a preoccupation with the "techincal" skills on this board that people forget about what really matters, which is personal presentation. You guys are so serious when you're interviewing for jobs. I can relate to your situation because I used to be that way in college -- I had thought to myself, "Wow, I'm interviewing at an investment bank -- this is some serious sh!t." But really, it is and it isn't. It is serious, and you want to maintain composure; but at the same time, it isn't that serious because both you and the person interviewing you are most likely ordniary people. You need to learn how to live, breathe, and smile like a normal person if you want to get the job.
The smile actually works most effectively when you're faced with a question you don't know the answer to. Oftentimes, people freak out when they're stumped; next time you're asked a question that you don't know how to answer, try smiling and saying, "I really have no idea since I haven't seen anything like it before, but maybe you can help me walk through this because I'd like to at least give your question a shot." The strategy has always worked well for me; either the interviewer will take their time to walk you through so they can see what your thought process is, or they'll ease up on you and not haze you because you're being such a pleasant person about things.
As a final tip, the smile seems to work best with female interviewers. Don't be cheesy about it -- just be yourself.
I can imagine you walking between classes like "should I swing my arms? no? Do I look stupid? shit am I smiling too much? Don't step on the crack! Swing, step, swing, step, step. Shit!"
My thoughts exactly. I overthink everything and am arguably insane, but I saw this post and internally went RED FLAG, this kid is either an alien or Musks long lost son (whats the difference)
If this is actually whats going through your head, Its time to re-think how you approach interviews.
I'm clearly kidding, my only point was that I didn't know it was possible to over think things this much...
My real question is about how I should come across as more likable in interviews.
You're overthinking it. Be yourself.
If you're an underqualified and boring person, no amount of smiling is going to do anything but make it weird.
lick your lips every third sentence too
especially if you're interviewing at lizerd
copy duval and you'll be at GS NRG
1) First thing to do is to cup the interviewer's hand when you first meet.
2) Instead of replying to the questions directly, compliment their question first with a "That's a very well thought out question" or "I appreciate how eloquently you asked that question". I would avoid replying to the question itself at all if I was smart enough, just keep complimenting various things about them. The very best interviewees will flip sides and ask the interviewer questions instead: - Interviewer: "Where did you go to college?" - You: "I went to UVA, how about yourself?" - Interviewer: "I went to Cornell, wha.." - You: "That's great, I thought about going there! What were the most defining moments of your college years?" And bam, keep at it and he's selling himself to you. 100% guaranteed success.
3) If possible without moving from your chair, touch the interviewer's forearm, this will create a personal link between the two of you.
This is a legit question. I'm not a natural smiler and I had to learn, first in hospitality and then refined in PWM, how and when to smile.
Generally, you should not have a grin plastered on your mug. It's ok to have a neutral or thoughtful expression when listening or contemplating a question. You should smile when you start to answer though and display honest, but not overdone enthusiasm through your response.
There are some great books out there on charisma. One good tip is don't overly nod your head in response to your interviewer. Stay natural, find enthusiasm for your topic and be yourself.
Do not smile all the time. What you do is Just keep your natural expression.
Just do Robert Du Val did and you'll be a Goldman MD in no time! See below for how to interview properly.
https://streamable.com/csg1o
How would his interview actually be viewed by a hiring manager? Obviously he seems a little weird, but not incompetent
It would be seen as an instant ding. We're all motivated by money, but you don't say shit like that. He also ins't "polished" enough. He's at Goldman so good for him, but during these video sessions, and preliminary rounds, HR and the recruiter's mindset and objective are not to find people that could be potential hires (that's the bankers' jobs), but rather to eliminate the field into a more clean cut and manageable set.
Check out Dan Feinbergers book "How to smile: the art of manipulating your outer lips".
Helped me out a lot when I was trying to figure out how many millimetres I should adjust my mouth when answering interview questions.
Alexa, what should I have for breakfast this morning?
People don't even know how and when to fucking smile?
Nothing creepier than forced smiles
Just try to keep a natural/genuine look on your face. Doesn't necessarily have to be a smile, but you should appear as though (and you should actually be) following along with what the interviewer is saying and asking. And when you answer, a slight smile doesn't hurt to come across as genuine. But you don't want to look as though it's a joke to you.
OP is this you by chance?
If you are trying to hide the fact that you are a robot or a shapeshifting reptilian (like Obama), practice in the mirror
Having a constant grin is super cool, bro. Don't ever forget.
I'd extend this piece of advice to a completely open mouth smile the entire time, would really express one's interest in the position.
OP, I will save you one more reaming and not indulge myself.
Suffice to say that this question is ridiculous. Be yourself dude. You are in for a rude awakening if you think the real world is so finely structured that there is even a correct answer to your question.
Please, just be a normal, likable person. No interviewer is sitting there with a stopwatch timing how long, and to what extent, you grinned. Listen to yourself, man.
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