There’s a reason why people say you can’t make the first impression twice. If you’re already a famous person, a firm handshake won’t really make the difference. But if you’re on your way up, the first impression and all the details that come with it are vital.
Job position, business deal or just a regular date, the first impression is a chance for you to present yourself in a memorable way to the person you’re having a discussion with. And even though first impressions are something that people don’t always pay attention to, it is extremely important.
It’s similar to body language in a way. You’ve probably seen a video of Presidents and World leaders trying to show dominance using body language techniques. Well, if the world’s most powerful people use to do it, you should do it too!
A weak handshake is a bad sign. According to this research, a weak handshake will let people believe that you’re shy, less open and anxious. Now, you don’t want to replicate Trump and his way of shaking hands. Because holding the other person’s hand for too long is not good either. Just make sure you follow the two-second-rule and give a firm handshake.
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We often don’t have a full control of what’s going on with our hands, especially if we’re at a super important meeting. But the important thing that you need avoid is putting your hands in your pockets. That could suggest to the other person that you’re hiding something. You can put your hands on the table, but try not to squeeze them. Squeezing your hands indicates that you’re trying to control the situation.
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Chewing gum is only acceptable if you’re hanging out with your friends. But if you’re at a job interview, chewing gum is a really bad idea. Even if that job position is working as Mickey Mouse mascot at Disneyland.
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Maintaining eye-contact is one of the most important thing when it comes to first impression. You don’t want to look away while you’re having a conversation with someone. Avoiding eye-contact is usually a sign of anxiety. If you want people to judge you as confident and intelligent, make sure you maintain eye-contact when having a discussion.
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When a woman is on a date with a guy she likes, playing with her hair is a sign of flirting. But you don’t want to flirt during a job interview which means you don’t want to play with your hair. On average, women tend to touch or play with their hair up to 18 times a day. Which means that playing with your hair can easily transform into a habit. However, if you want to look professional and focused during important meetings, make sure you keep your hands away from your hair.
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Just remember that it’s not all about you and your life experience. Don’t forget to listen and pay attention as much as you tend to speak.
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You don’t want to get too close or stand too far away from the person you’re talking to. The ideal distance is about 4 to 12 feet.
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Just try to focus and work while someone is playing with a pen, or tapping a foot, or cracking knuckles. These little noises are irritating for most people, and that’s why you should try to avoid them.
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We can easily say that checking your phone is already an addiction at this point. According to this research, the average person checks their phone 110 times a day. But that’s ok because that’s the time we’re living in. However, it’s extremely impolite to check your phone during an important conversation. The same goes for checking your watch as well. It’s just a sign that you’re not interested in what the other person has to say, and that’s a bad first impression.
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We’re not all good at remembering names and that’s a fact. But what if the person you’re talking with remembers your name and you can’t do the same? That’s a pretty awkward situation. That’s why you need to make an extra effort and repeat the name after the introduction to yourself.
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If you don’t feel comfortable waiting for other people, you shouldn’t be late either. How can you expect someone to hire you if you’re late for the job interview?
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According to stats, 55% of the first impression is based on appearance. You don’t have to wear your best suit or use the whole bottle of perfume. But you have to look nice, be polished and keep it professional.
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Even if you know what the other person is talking about, don’t interrupt or try to finish the sentence for them. Just take it easy, be relaxed and remember no one likes a know-it-all.
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If you want that job or if you want that deal, do your research. Make sure you have the right answer to every question. Let them know that you’ve put an effort and you’ve done your homework.
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Don’t bite your nails, don’t play with your pen and don’t slouch or fidget. Sit tall, let the person you’re talking to know that you believe in yourself.
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