Smiling in interviews is actually a pretty complex matter, depending on who you ask. Smile too much and you’ll appear weak or unintelligent. Don’t smile enough and you’ll appear cold and unfriendly. So what’s a person to do?

There’s No Formula for Success
How much you should smile kind of depends on the job that you’re applying for. Smiling frequently would be good for a role that puts you in direct contact with consumers. Whereas for a role that is considered serious and entails a high level of responsibility the interviewer might find it off-putting if you smile all the time.

Either way it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “smile formula” when interviewing for a new position. There’s no guarantee that if you smile 4 times instead of 6, you’ll win the job opportunity. When you’re in an interview your focus shouldn’t be on minute details like how high to raise your hands when gesturing or if you’ve smiled too often. Your energy should go into providing thoughtful questions and answers so that you can have a productive conversation, which is what you want their lasting impression of you to be based on.

Here’s a Cliche – Be Yourself
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. Be confident that you know, or can learn, everything you need to be successful in the potential position. If you are naturally a bubbly and friendly person, don’t feel like you have to hide that. If you serious or quiet by nature, don’t feel like you have to put on a show and act like something you aren’t.

We’re Here to Help
Smiling shows enthusiasm and self-assurance. If you aren’t comfortable with your smile, it can give the impression that you aren’t a confident and competent prospective employee, even if this isn’t the case. Receding gums, missing teeth, and ill-fitting bridges or dentures are all things that can cause someone to be self-conscious about their smile.

Let’s face it, life happens and sometimes people lose a tooth or two along the way. It isn’t the end of the world (although it might feel that way) and it in no way affects your ability to do a job. However, if it is something that makes you uncomfortable, Dr Kenzik’s periodontal and implant dentistry practice can assist you in choosing the procedures that can give you back your smile, and your confidence.