Making a Great First Impression!
You got the job interview! yes, that means that your resume worked! Now it’s real important to remember that it only takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate (or judge) you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.
With every new introduction, you will be evaluated and yet another person’s impression of you is formed (rightly or wrongly)
These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first meetings extremely important, for they set the tone for the relationship that follows.
So, whether they are in your career or social life, it’s important to know how to create a good, lasting first impression.
This article provides some useful tips to help you do this.
Time Management
The person you’re meeting for the first time couldn’t care less about your “excuses” for being late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early. And allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving early is so much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression. Seriously, if this was a job interview, and you were late… it is a 100% negative! My favorite saying is that if you can plan to be late.. then you can plan to be on time!
Be Yourself, try to relax
If you are feeling uncomfortable and a bit nervous, this can make the other person feel uneasy too! and that’s a sure way to create the wrong impression. If you act calm and confident, the other person will feel more comfortable, and therefore a more solid foundation for making that great first impression is on track! Take deep breaths and try to meditate, visualize a confident performance prior to the meeting… that’s what successful athletes do!
The Visual appearance is EVERYTHING!
Of course physical appearance matters. The person you are meeting for the first time does not know you and your appearance is usually the first clue they may get!
You don’t need to look like a model to create a strong and positive first impression. (Unless you are interviewing with your local model agency, of course!)
No. The key to a good impression is to present yourself according to the situation
A picture is worth a thousand words, and so your image or “picture” that you present says much about you to the person you are meeting. Is your appearance saying the right things to help create the right first impression? What message/s are you wanting the other person to receive about you?
Start with your clothing. What is the appropriate attire for the meeting or occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit, or smart casual? Ask yourself what the person you’ll be meeting is likely to wear – if your contact is in advertising or the music industry, a pinstripe, main stream, business suit may not strike the right note!
For business and social meetings, appropriate attire also varies between countries and cultures, so it’s something that you should pay particular attention to when in an unfamiliar setting or country. Make sure you know the traditions and norms. How can you find out?? Google away and research the company standards.
For those that can remember Princess Dianna always dressed according to her audience’s expectations – this certainly added to her popularity!
Now let’s check for personal grooming. Clean and tidy appearance is always appropriate for most business and social occasions. A good haircut or shave. Clean and tidy clothes. Neat and tidy make up. Make sure your grooming is appropriate and helps make you feel “the part”. Oh and Please check the arm pits… and most of all don’t marinate in after shave or perfume..nothing worse than overwhelming the other person with strong scent/s.
Perfect attire and grooming helps to make a good first impression and also helps you feel “100% in the role/part”, and therefore you will feel more calm and confident. Imagine meeting someone for the first time in a formal setting, and you rock up wearing your worst mufti-gear? Now imagine turning up looking professional and confident? How you look does affect performance
Add all of this up and you are well on your way to creating a good first impression.
Be an individual too!
You can usually create a good impression without totally conforming to mainstream or losing your individuality. You will need to make some judgement on “what is it that you want the other person to think about you?” Yes, to make a good first impression you do need to “fit in” to some degree. But it all goes back to being appropriate for the situation. If in a business environment, wearing appropriate corporate/business attire is a great idea. If, however, at a formal evening social event, wear suitable evening attire. Express your individuality appropriately within that context. Sometimes being “remembered” for that little something different can place you on a top listing!
PLEASE SMILE!
“Smile and the world smiles too.”* So there’s nothing like a smile to create a good first impression. A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease. So smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions. But don’t go overboard with this – people who take this too far can seem insincere and smarmy, or can be seen to be “lightweights”. If you cant smile at a job interview…. when will you smile?
Be Honest and Open
When it comes to making the first impression, body language as well as appearance speaks much louder than words. In fact 80% of you communication is body language!
Use your body’s visual language to project confidence and self-assurance. Stand tall, smile (of course), make eye contact, greet with a firm handshake. All of this will help you project confidence and encourage both you and the other person feel better at ease.
Almost everyone gets a little nervous when meeting someone for the first time, which can lead to nervous habits or sweaty palms. By being aware of your nervous habits, you can try to keep them in check. Controlling nervous jitters or a nervous laugh will give you confidence and help the other person feel more comfortable too!
Small Talk is BIG
Conversations are based on verbal give and take. It may help you to prepare questions you have for the person you are meeting for the first time beforehand. Or, take a few minutes to learn something about the person you meet for the first time before you get together. For instance, does she play tennis? Is there anything that you have in common with the person you are meeting? Look around the room for clues! Perhaps a picture of Venice or of a sporting great could spark an interesting conversation If so, this can be a great way to open the conversation and help the meeting to flow less awkwardly!
Be and act Positive
Your attitude shows through in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately, maintaining an upbeat manner and a smile. LEAN IN… be cognizant of your posture.. and say YES more times than NO!
Courteous, polite and attentive
Good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behavior help make a good first impression. In fact, anything less can ruin the one chance you have at making that first impression. So be on your best behavior! Don’t forget to address the reception staff the same way, as they are often referred to for an opinion about you!
And for pity’s sake, turn off your mobile! you do not want distractions or interruptions. You want the other person to feel that they have your full attention.
What first impression will you create if you are already speaking to someone other than the person you are meeting for the first time? Your new acquaintance deserves 100% of you. Anything less and you’ll have a difficult time creating a more positive impression. I still harbour resentment with people who have asked to meet with me and during the meeting continue to answer and talk on their phones! HOW RUDE!!
In conclusion….
You have just a few seconds to make a good first impression and it’s almost impossible ever to reverse it. It’s worth giving each new person/meeting the best of you.
It makes good sense that with a little extra thought, care and preparation, you can hone your intuitive style and make every first impression not just good but outstanding, and perhaps land you “that” job or be referred to by others in the best possible way!
Ivana Agapiou