Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet and vice versa. Odds are you’ll both remember that smile and how it made you feel. If you have a bright, healthy smile that makes you stand out, even when you’re not in the room, it can help you land a promotion, motivate others on the job, and even negotiate a better salary. So, how do you handle struggles with crooked teeth, misalignment, or other orthodontic issues? Keep reading to learn why you’re more likely to get hired with a straight smile.
We want all of our patients at Dillehay Orthodontics to get the most out of their life, including their professional lives. Feeling insecure about how your smile looks can hold you back, but our treatment options will give you what you need to put your best professional foot forward.
Set the tone with a smile
If you walk into a room with a warm and welcoming smile, everyone you meet will feel more at ease and are more likely to be interested in getting to know you. Potential employers are sure to notice this and be more interested in you. When you attend a job interview, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be evaluating. If you come across as stiff, unfriendly, or aloof, you’re less likely to be hired or get a raise. Successful companies don’t just want a candidate who is qualified on paper, they also want someone who will contribute to a positive work environment by building a rapport with coworkers and clients.
The Halo Effect
Researcher Edward Thorndike coined the term “halo effect” in 1920 to describe how our brains attribute multiple positive qualities to a person if we see just one positive quality. We generalize information about a person based on our own perception of them. While it may not be a particularly fair way to process new people we meet, it certainly shows just how significant first impressions can be!
An attractive smile has been proven to contribute to the halo effect. If you have a bright, beautiful smile are naturally, you’ll likely be seen as smarter, wittier, more successful and hardworking, and more trustworthy than someone who doesn’t smile often or struggles with oral health. Have you been trying to get your foot in the door or close out a big deal? Your smile could be the exact tool you need to produce the halo effect and seal the deal.
Spread Those Smiles
Humans mimic facial expressions, even when we don’t realize we’re doing it. This can trigger a similar emotional state and briefly boost our mood. This response also helps us empathize with others and respond more helpfully and appropriately. That’s why most people return the smile they receive.
A bright, healthy smile may also signal to potential employers that you could positively influence those around you. A study was done by scientists at the University of Kansas, where participants were given stressful tasks to complete. Some individuals were asked to smile during these tasks, while others were told to maintain a straight face. Researchers measured the heart rates of the participants, and the subjects were asked to self-report their stress levels as they performed the tasks.
Those who had been told to smile had lower heart rates and their bodies showed more resistance to stress. They also reported feeling more positive overall than those who were told to keep a straight face, proving the power in a smile! A big smile is attractive to employers and coworkers alike, and that can lead to some real advantages in the workplace.
A similar Yale University study showed this by dividing volunteers into small groups and assigning specific tasks. One team member was secretly instructed to act upbeat upon entering the room. When that person came in with a smile on their face and a positive attitude, the mood in the room lifted almost immediately! The study also found that each individual’s performance improved, and the group itself was more likely to achieve the goal it had been given.
Increase your self-esteem
At Dillehay Orthodontics, we’re passionate about helping you feel more confident. When you lack confidence, you’re less likely to take the risk necessary for real success. Being happy with your appearance can make you feel better about yourself. Having a smile you love can boost your self-confidence. Invisalign actually conducted a survey on this and found that almost 80% of adults who underwent orthodontic treatment said that having a healthier smile gave them the confidence to do something they would never have considered doing before. That number is nothing to ignore!
Find the secret to a successful smile at Dillehay Orthodontics
Your appearance, and the confidence connected to it, could be one of the most important tools you have on your journey to success. It can influence how colleagues and hiring managers perceive you. That’s why you’re most likely to get hired with a straight smile. At Dillehay Orthodontics, we can help you achieve a beautiful smile that feels great and looks amazing, thanks to a variety of treatment options. These range from traditional metal braces to the innovative Invisalign system. Thanks to modern orthodontic technology, these treatments are more comfortable and discreet than ever before, which are perfect for our adult patients!
There are so many benefits associated with a beautiful smile. From increased self-esteem to a positive first impression at a new job, the investment of a beautiful and healthy smile is well worth it! If you’re ready to take the first step in achieving the smile you’ve always dreamed of, get in touch today to schedule your free consultation with the skilled team at Dillehay Orthodontics!