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Getting off to a Good Start
Make a great first impression!
© iStockphoto/nyul
It
takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate 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 encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person's impression of
you is formed. These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or
undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone
for all the relationships that follows.
So,
whether they are in your career or social life, it's important to know how to
create a good first impression. This article provides some useful tips to help
you do this.
Be on Time
Someone
you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your "good
excuse" for running late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early. And allow
flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving
early is much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in
creating a great first impression.
Be Yourself, Be at Ease
If
you are feeling uncomfortable and on edge, this can make the other person ill
at ease and that's a sure way to create the wrong impression. If you are calm
and confident, so the other person will feel more at ease, and so have a solid
foundation for making that first impression a good one. See our section on relaxation techniques to find out how to calm that adrenaline!
Present Yourself Appropriately
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 he or she
has to go on.
But
it certainly does not mean you 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 appropriately.
They
say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the "picture" you
first 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?
Start
with the way you dress. What is the appropriate dress for the meeting or
occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit,
blazer, casual? And 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
business suit may not strike the right note!
For
business and social meetings, appropriate dress 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.
And
what about your grooming? Clean and tidy appearance is 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".
Appropriate
dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel
"the part," and so feel more calm and confident. Add all of this up
and you are well on your way to creating a good first impression.
A Word About Individuality
The
good news is you can usually create a good impression without total conformity
or losing your individuality. 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 setting, wear appropriate business attire.
If at a formal evening social event, wear appropriate evening attire. And
express your individuality appropriately within that context.
A Winning Smile!
As
the saying goes, "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".
Be Open and Confident
When
it comes to making the first impression, body language as well as appearance
speaks much louder than words.
Use
your body language to project appropriate 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 to 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. And controlling a nervous jitter or
a nervous laugh will give you confidence and help the other person feel at
ease. Again, see our section on relaxation techniques for help with this.
Small Talk Goes a Long Way
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 he play golf? Does she work with a
local charitable foundation?
Is
there anything that you know of that you have in common with the person you are
meeting? If so, this can be a great way to open the conversation and to keep it
flowing.
Be 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.
Be Courteous and Attentive
It
goes without saying that 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!
One
modern manner worth mentioning is "turn off your mobile phone." 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 percent of your attention. Anything less and you'll create a less
than good first impression.
Key
Points
You
have just a few seconds to make a good first impression and it's almost
impossible ever to change it. So it's worth giving each new encounter your best
shot.
Much
of what you need to do to make a good impression is common sense. But with a
little extra thought and preparation, you can hone your intuitive style and
make every first impression not just good but great.
