The subtle tells that reveal inauthenticity — and how to ensure yours reads as genuine.
Interviews are high-stakes performance situations that create exactly the conditions most likely to produce fake smiles — anxiety, self-consciousness, and the desire to appear a certain way. Understanding the science of genuine versus fake smiles helps both interviewers and candidates navigate these situations more effectively.
The most reliable fake smile tell. In a genuine Duchenne smile the orbicularis oculi muscle contracts, creating crow's feet wrinkles and slightly narrowing the eyes. A fake smile leaves the eyes completely flat and unchanged. If someone is smiling broadly but their eyes look exactly the same as when they are not smiling, the smile is not genuine.
Genuine smiles build gradually as the emotional experience intensifies and fade gradually as it passes. Fake smiles often switch on suddenly and switch off abruptly. The unnatural timing is detectable even when people cannot articulate what seems off.
Genuine smiles are slightly asymmetric because the two sides of the face are controlled by slightly different neural pathways firing at slightly different rates. A smile that looks perfectly mirror-symmetric on both sides is often a conscious effort rather than a genuine expression.
A smile that appears at an odd moment — immediately after a difficult question, while discussing a stressful topic, or that seems to be constantly maintained regardless of context — signals social performance rather than genuine positive emotion.
The physiological state of anxiety and excitement are nearly identical — elevated heart rate, heightened alertness, energy in the body. Research shows that telling yourself "I am excited" rather than "I am nervous" produces measurably better performance and more genuine expressions.
Before the interview, identify specific aspects of the role or company that you are genuinely interested in. When you discuss these topics your enthusiasm will produce genuine positive expressions naturally. Real interest is the most reliable source of genuine smiles.
Trying to smile throughout an entire interview is a recipe for fake smiles. It is more natural and authentic to have a relaxed neutral expression most of the time and genuine smiles in response to specific moments — humor, interesting points, genuine connection.
Much interview anxiety comes from uncertainty. The more thoroughly you have prepared, the more relaxed and genuinely yourself you can be in the moment. Genuine expressions emerge naturally when people are at ease.
Your photo creates the first impression before the interview even starts.
Research shows people can detect fake smiles at around 70% accuracy even without training. Experienced interviewers who have conducted hundreds of interviews often develop strong intuitions about authenticity even if they cannot articulate exactly what seems off.
Genuine smiles in appropriate moments are strongly positive. Constant maintained smiling throughout a serious interview reads as fake. The goal is authentic responsiveness — smiling genuinely when something is positive and having a natural relaxed expression the rest of the time.
Thorough preparation is the most effective relaxation strategy. When you know your material deeply, anxiety reduces significantly. Reframing nervousness as excitement (which research supports as effective) and focusing on genuine curiosity about the role rather than performance anxiety also helps.
Yes. Video interviews often capture closer face shots than in-person interviews, making eye muscle involvement and expression timing more visible. The same principles apply — genuine smiles always outperform fake ones.