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28 Apr, 2018

4 Ways to Make a Great First Impression!

Do not judge a book by its cover. It is a famous saying that should always be remembered every time we meet someone new. However, we do not always have the time to get properly acquainted with everyone we meet, and our first encounter is often the only thing we have to base our judgement on what kind of person they are. Therefore, making a great first impression is important in every aspect of our life, from getting a new friend to gaining the trust of business clients. Even more so in a professional setting where keeping up appearances plays a big role in your potential for success and can make or break a deal. That is why, it is essential for everyone to learn how to present themselves correctly in front of new acquaintances. These are several ways to help you make a great first impression.

Prepare and be ready

First, you must know yourself. This means paying attention to how you stand or walk, how you sound like when you talk to other people, your face expression, etc. Recording yourself can be a good way to do this. If you notice that you slouch when you walk, you can remind yourself to straighten your back every so often to better exude confidence. Listen to your voice. Do you sound confrontational even when you do not mean to? Do you speak with a clear voice or has a tendency to mumble through your words? How you dress yourself is also important. You need to make sure that your clothing is appropriate depending on the occasion. These are all important points to keep an eye on because great first impressions are made not only based on your words but also in how you present yourself.

Punctuality

Coming late to an appointment is a sure way to give a bad impression to someone before you even meet them. It is a sign of disrespect and a proof of your unreliability. Depart early to allow some flexibility in your schedule because you cannot always predict the traffic or other emergencies that can eat up your time. On the other hand, if the appointment takes place in the other person’s place (whether their company building or house), arriving too early can also cause inconvenience because you will catch them when they are not yet ready. In general, arriving 15 minutes before the appointment is the polite thing to do to make a great first impression.

Show interest

Do not make a conversation only about you. Sharing interesting story of your experience can be a good ice breaker but what you should focus on is listening to others. Show that you are truly interested in getting to know them better by paying attention to what they are saying and asking unobtrusive questions about themselves. Put away your cellphone to eliminate distraction so that you are able to concentrate fully on the person you are talking to.

Be friendly

A pleasant smile can go a long way in building a great first impression. A firm handshake or a proper bow can show the strength of your character and be a sign of respect. Keeping eye contact will make others feel they are being heard and project an air of confidence. By just being friendly and optimistic, you will make the people around you enjoy your company and get them to talk more. Of course, being branded ‘friendly’ is a good thing and certainly falls into the category of a good first impression.

In every meeting, the importance of a great first impression should never be forgotten. The fastest way for you to do that is to practice all of these steps in your everyday life. By doing that, it will not be long until they become second nature to you, ensuring that everyone you meet will walk away from the encounter with a positive feeling towards you.