Your resume is polished, your interview suit is pressed, and you're excited to go meet with a civilian recruiter. But what if your facial expression sends the message that you're disinterested, worried or angry?
Many people -- civilians and veterans alike -- suffer from an angry resting face. This happens when you are concentrating or thinking and your face displays grumpiness or disgust. It's likely you aren't feeling those things, but people looking at or talking to you perceive those feelings by reading your face.
I had a client whose boss repeatedly asked her, "Is everything OK?" because she always looked angry or upset. It's simply the way she looked when she was concentrating, with her mouth curled down in the corners, her brow furrowed and her forehead tensed.
Your body language and facial expressions send messages about how you feel. It's been said that nonverbal communication is sometimes more important than the actual words you use. For these reasons, it's important to fix this issue.
Some suggestions I offer clients:
- In your office, place a small mirror near your computer monitor. Then, when you glance at the mirror, you can see your reflection and remind yourself to relax your face to a more pleasant position.
- On the top of the notepad you take into meetings, write the initials "SML" to remind yourself to smile ... or at least not frown. Writing out "SMILE" might be too obvious if someone sees it.
- When someone asks you, "Are you OK?" because you appear angry or upset, reply, "Oh, yes. Concentrating on work," with a smile.
- In meetings where others are presenting information, consciously nod in agreement, take notes on your notepad, focus on relaxing the outer corners of your eyes and pay close attention to making eye contact with everyone in the room. These subtle actions will reassure others in the room that you are present, open to new information and approachable.
Ask people around you whether you might be sending the wrong message with your facial expressions. Whether your face is naturally pleasant or not, the message your body language conveys is critical to your personal brand.
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