Wednesday’s Q&A

Question: Can a smile really land you a job?

Answer: A smile is so incredibly powerful. It is proven to release chemicals that relax, it takes fewer muscles to make then a frown, and it can make or break a meeting.

Smiles are written about, sung about, drawn, worn as bumper stickers and t-shirts and are used in many quotes from the famous and not so famous including Phyllis Diller who said, “The curve of a smile sets everything straight”. It affects your appearance too, as George Eliot reminded us, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles”.  Do you want laugh lines or frown lines?

My favorite quote is from an unknown author, it states, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile”.

If you want to break the ice when meeting people for the first time during an interview remember to smile … often. This doesn’t mean laugh and giggle in a nervous annoyance. It means to look at those you are talking with and give a genuine smile.

When asking for help in your job search, inviting contacts for coffee or lunch to get reacquainted, meeting new contacts, networking, talking with recruiters, administrative or HR support or the hiring manager the first and most natural response should be a smile.

Smiles are a nonverbal communication shared throughout the world. Your smile is more than displaying teeth or curving lips, it is a physical change in your attitude and approachability. When a smile is received it also causes a biological response by mimicking a return smile, so if you want to make others feel comfortable S-M-I-L-E !

A genuine smile and approachable appearance will be remembered as much as your stories, experience and skills you share during an interview. Will a smile land you a job, maybe not on its’, but it can certainly be the thing that interviewers remember and may be a deciding factor at some point.

The little things really do make the biggest differences – It can’t hurt and it will actually make you feel better – try it today!

With excitement and anticipation last night I watched Sunday Night Football. The pre-season game gave the new players a chance to show what they’ve got and their contribution potential, in short… their value.

It wasn’t an unforgettable game but it was just fun to watch. Usually at half time I switch loads of laundry, check emails, or click to other channels. I am glad I kept the game on and was able to catch the tribute to John Madden and his years as an energetic and passionate announcer.

After halftime, I was even more excited to see the newly retired and new addition to the announcing team, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts. I am just thrilled he will join Al Michaels and John Madden’s replacement Cris Collinsworth, as part of the Sunday Night Football Announcing Staff. I look forward to hearing his wisdom and viewpoint every week.

Conversation flowed from his retirement to future plans and eventually landed on his relationship with Michael Vick. With the completion of his 2 year sentence at Leavenworth, Vick is working through the process of making a comeback into professional football. Dungy has agreed to mentor Michael Vick during his reemergence into the sport of football. I believe Dungy is there for emotional and spiritual support for Michael Vick the man as much as the football player.

Vick will have to prove his physical and mental strengths all over again to the coaches, players and football fans. To a new team he also has to prove he is a good fit.

The same holds true for the job seekers. Knowing you have the skills and experience is important but your “fit”, character, and reliability is even more critical to landing a new job. Watch other job seekers, watch Michael Vick, and see how vital your personality and character are to a decision maker trying to find the “right” person for the job.

Before you start applying to and interviewing with new companies know your strengths, what type of position is right for you, and what value you offer to potential companies. Research companies until you can honestly say, “This is the company for me” and then Go For It!

Company research during a job search is vital with the fierce competition for available jobs. Not only do you need to know how to do the job and “fit in” with the environment, you must have a good understanding of the company you are hoping to interview with.

Is this important? You bet! Interviewers will bring up current projects, recent acquisitions or leadership changes and discuss information during an interview you should be aware of. If you are not, they will know, and your chances of getting asked back will be pretty slim.

Three ways to investigate the company of interest to you?

Company Website, Company Blog and other Social Network Avenues – are a must read! Learn everything they have to offer on the site, the history, mission statement, board member, leadership teams, new products, current community involvement, and anything else offered as information on the site. Check out the pictures and words they use as well. This information will give you clues into their culture and vibe, and direction they are headed.

Many companies now have blogs, forums, and newsletters they run as a means of staying connected with customers and hopefully a way to gain new customers. Read these, see what they have to say. What are the important areas they cover? What are there views on industry issues? Get a feel for their position in the industry.

Industry Associations, Magazines, Newsletters, Networking Groups, and Blogs – The Company’s information is valuable, but much more useful when compared with industry standards. Find out what others are saying in the industry about the direction, feel and concerns currently felt by the industry as a whole. Does you company’s views match those of others in the industry? Are they leaders or followers?

BBB, Chamber, and other local information – Many companies work hard to give back to their community. It is important to be aware of their charitable and community work for interview questions but more important to see if their values match yours. If this is an important issue for you, check local sources to see what their involvement is and where they give their time and money. Does it match your values? Is this the type of company you want to work for?

Getting to know the companies you would like to work for is tremendously helpful in the interview process and it lets you get a better feel for the company; its’ direction, values, and culture. At the end of the search you’ll know if this is a company you’d want to work for or not. It may take a little digging but will save you the hassle of having to leave in 6 months when you realize it isn’t the company for you.

Whether just starting your career or looking into a career change, the obvious and extensively talked about points to consider are the fit of your education, skills, and experience to the needs of the company. But what about your needs? The most obvious is your financial needs, after that however, do you know what you want out of your job? What hours, travel, culture, and office or position environment are you looking for?

Taking things even further, have you thought about whether or not this job will contribute to your overall short and long term career goals. Does it fulfill your dreams? Will this job improve your life? Many would say such a job doesn’t exist. There are jobs that can fulfill these emotional needs beyond the typical qualifications, which should be looked into during your job search. The quality of the 8+ hours you spend 5 – 7 days a week at your job does matter. It is what makes the difference between having a good job to a great career.

As you go through the job search, make sure you consider the fulfillment, enjoyment and goal contributions a potential job has to offer as well as its’ financial security. Do your research so you don’t have to settle for a job. A career that will lead you to your goals is worth seeking and is out there to be sought. Good luck – job seeker!