photo credit: Ferdinand Reus
How often do you smile?
Do you make an effort to smile at the people you interact with? Like, toll booth attendants? Or TSA screeners?
We all make an effort to be warm and friendly when we know it’s in our best interests. We break out those pearly whites to avoid traffic tickets. To ask a favor. And, yes, for job interviews.
And guess what? It makes a difference.
Likeable people are more successful, get elected, promoted or rewarded more often, make more money and get better service from all service providers.
That’s a quote from an article by Kristin Fitzgerald called “The Likeability Factor.” In her piece, Kristin talks about the impact that likeability plays in politics, and in other areas of our lives.
The purpose of a resume is to get an interview. Once you get to an interview, it’s a different ballgame and, like it or not, one major factor in an employment decision is whether or not the interviewer likes you.
Not to say that your knowledge and background isn’t important. Just that it’s one factor, and perhaps not even the most important one.
So, keep in mind when you walk into the building for that next interview the advantage of being likeable. And be sure to smile at the receptionist.
Related posts:
- How to get hired: The five things I want out of a job candidate
- Phone interview success secrets
- Your personal “best”: Authenticity and your job search
- Neuroscience and You: Stress and your job hunt
- Not everything is a job search nail: Effective use of your resume
Get instant access to the Laser Guide on How to Create POWERFUL First Impressions (a $20 value) - FREE!
