A first impression can be extremely important in all aspects of our lives, whether it means meeting your fiancés grandparents for the first time, walking into class on the first day, speaking in front of a large audience you’ve never met before or in this instance, the first time meeting a potential employer. A series of experiments by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov reveal that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face. We all know that first impressions are important, but what really stands out?
Managing and creating a good first impression takes research, planning, practice and a positive attitude. To help ensure you make the best first impression possible, here are some useful tips we’ve compiled:
- Do research. Great places to research a potential employer include a company’s website and social networking pages. Understanding the culture of the company can be a crucial piece of a winning first impression. A few other great resources to help understand company culture include pictures, articles, tone of the culture and word choices.
- Make a plan. Plan your first 2-30 seconds. Think about how you will stand and walk when you first meet the interviewer, how you will shake hands, how close you will be to them, the gestures you will use, the first words you will say and the tone and speed you’ll use when saying these words – all of these will have an impact on the first impression.
- Consider your appearance and body language. Image is critical to success. Whether the person realizes it or not, he or she will be affected by your appearance. Always keep a clean, tidy, professional appearance in business settings; however, remember that body language can also be just as important as appearance! If standing, keep your body fully facing the person you’re speaking with. Think about your movements (tense vs. relaxed, energetic vs. tired) as well, because they are an important cue to judge a variety of traits. If you know you have nervous habits, try to keep them controlled. This will help increase your confidence levels and put the other person at ease.
- Overall, remain positive. Always keep a smile on your face. It shows you are friendly and are willing to make friendly relationships. A warm, confident smile will put you and the interviewer at ease and express a positive attitude.
First impressions don’t have to be a game of taking risks or chances. If you take the time to follow these steps and tips, you can make sure your first impression is exactly what you hoped and wanted it to be.
Sources: www.happiness-project.com
