9 secrets to make a great first
impression every time.
When it comes to making a first impression, there are no
second chances. It only takes a few seconds for people
to form perceptions about you, and in many cases they
stick.
No pressure, right?
Although it can be a challenge to always ensure you
make a lasting impression, these tricks will help you put
your best foot forward.
1. Shift your attitude before you walk into the room
Usually, people will enter a room thinking, what can I do
to make myself more comfortable? In many cases this
kind of attitude leads to giving off mixed signals. If what
you say, how you say it and the way you carry yourself
are not in synch, people will pick it up and be
immediately put off.
On the other hand, if you walk into a room thinking, how
can I change my attitude so that people around me are
more comfortable , your words, tone of voice and body
language will flow and you’ll give off a sense of being
together, (even if you’re not).
2. Remember that everyone’s fight-or-flight response is
heightened when they meet people for the first time
Loads of people feel uncomfortable walking into a room
filled with people they barely know. On people’s first
encounters, their fight-or-flight response is elevated
meaning that’ll unconsciously make immediate
judgments depending on how safe they feel.
If you keep in mind that you’re not the person who’s
trying to look comfortable and make everyone else
around you comfortable, you’ll hopefully feel much at
ease to join in the conversation.
3. Fight the urge to pose politely or touch your neck, ears
or play with your hair
So Puss in Boots won the hearts of a host of men when
he pulled a cute face – and that’s always a winner when
you’re an animated feline. In reality however, pulling the
same or similar expressions or poses is a signal of low
self-confidence and increased stress.
4. Rather position your body so that your torso is open and
facing the person you’re talking to. Think of Zorro, even
if in cat form. This will signal attention, an open heart
and loads of confidence.
Leave enough room for the person next to breathe… You
need the space too
Sometimes you’re trying so hard to look as if you’ve
completely got it together that you don’t realize when
you’ve overstepped the boundaries. But being in
everyone’s personal space so much that you suffocate
them is not the answer. Make sure you’re mindful of
people’s personal space and respect their boundaries.
5. Be more than just your job title
Write-up a personal statement. It's a great way to kick
start any conversation and allow people to refer to you
more than just “the sales girl”. Preparing a beautifully
crafted personal statement, and memorizing it so you
deliver it eloquently and concisely, will make all the
difference.
6. Live up to expectations
Bringing out Sasha Fierce when all along you were
innocently poised is usually not ideal. People generally
tend to expect to meet the same person they’ve come to
know, even if only through email, text and phone
conversations.
7. Consistency is key.
Keep mood swings at bay
Going from timid to bubbly to withdrawn all in the space
of a first encounter is a sure way to create the wrong
impression. People are drawn in by friendliness,
confidence and enthusiasm. Channel these feelings and
you’ll get the best responses.
8. Let your dress code do the talking
Image Consultant, Judith Rasband once said, “The way
we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel, the
way we act, and the way others react to us.” You want
people to think of you as competent and well-
accomplished? Dress the part.
9. Gracefully end the conversation
Instead of jumping at the first appearance of an exit,
graciously excuse yourself, giving a warm friendly smile.
Consider giving a handshake, which will signal to people
that you enjoyed their company.
Now that you're in the loop on how to make a great first
impression, let Careers24 help you ace your next
interview so you land your dream job.
