How To Make A Great First Impression Part 2

First impression is the almost-instant conclusion you draw when meeting someone for the first time. You form this opinion by quickly taking in information about a person, including their face, dress, posture, and tone of voice.

A first impression becomes a filter that you use for all future interactions with that person and it is very difficult to change someone’s first impression of us.

Here are some tips to help achieve a great first impression:

Prepare Ahead of Time

This includes preparing questions and talking points, which will help during the conversation. Before you go to meet someone for the first time, think about what you want to learn from them and what you want them to learn about you. This will help you to get clearer about your thoughts, and feelings and cut down on the possibility of a dull moment in the conversation.

Be Positive

Mostly, people are drawn to positive and friendly persons who make them feel at ease. And so, an easy way to connect with those around you is to portray a positive attitude through your conversation and body language. Greeting new people with a genuine smile is important and also try to keep the conversation on positive or at the very least, neutral topics. It is important to note that the first few hours or minutes of meeting someone are probably not an appropriate time to voice out all your grievances and problems.

People are remarkably quick to pick up on insincerity, so it pays to be yourself. Constant worry about whether you are saying or doing the right thing often comes across as insincerity as well.

You come off as being authentic when you appropriately communicate your strengths and weaknesses.

Pay Attention

Furthermore, an important step to take to create a good impression is to make sure you are engaged and interested in what the other person is saying to you. Also, listen attentively to what the person has to say and tailor your responses accordingly instead of bringing up more conversation topics. Try to recall things that they have spoken of and using their name in the conversation will show that you are interested and paying attention.

Look Your Best

How you look matters when meeting people. You will want to choose your outfit based on the context of the meeting, so how you dress for a job interview will be different from how you dress for a punk show.

However, it is important to pay attention to your mood because you could dress smartly but if you are having a terrible day, it will probably show. If it is possible, avoid having to make first impressions when you are feeling down.

Also how you look is not just about your clothes but also includes your car or house so, give them a good cleaning if there is a chance the person you want to impress will see them.

In conclusion, it only takes a tenth of a second to make a first impression that is why when you meet someone for the first time, you need to be on your game from the very beginning. This includes being aware of everything from the words you choose to the body language you convey.

The guidelines above can set you on the path to mastering the art of creating a great first impression. With attention to detail and practice, you can create an impression that lasts and for all the right reasons.