Do you know how to make a good impression? Whether you are attending an interview, starting a new job, or networking, you will meet many new people throughout your career. From the moment you meet someone, they will make judgements about your character and capabilities. Therefore, being able to make a positive first impression is critical to achieving career success.
Making a positive impression will increase your chances of being remembered, enhance your networking opportunities, and help you gain access to leadership opportunities.
So how do you make a good impression?
Seek, Indeed and Page Personnel have tips on how to make a great impression every time.
Factors that influence first impressions
When meeting someone for the first time, especially in a professional context, these are the things you should be thinking about.
Body language
Ensure you maintain consistent eye contact and use an appropriate pitch in your voice. Offer a firm but warm handshake. Whether you are sitting or standing, try to demonstrate good posture. By using good body language, you’ll appear confident, professional and interested in the conversation.
Smile
Smiling increases your chances of making a positive impression on the other person and indicates that you are happy to meet them.
Be prepared
Preparation is crucial, especially if you know you will be meeting the person in advance.
Ensure you use people’s names correctly. Ask thoughtful and insightful questions. This will show you are genuinely interested in the person and the conversation.
Speak and listen
Clear communication is key to making a good impression. Try to speak clearly and not stumble over words. Where possible, avoid using filler words like um… and ah…
Ensure you listen to the other person and not just focus on what you want to say next. By listening to the other person, you will show you are interested in what they have to say.
Dress well and maintain your appearance
How you dress affects how you are perceived. Dress for the job you want, but be careful not to be too formal if the dress code is casual. It’s also essential to ensure your hair is neat and well-groomed.
Use soft skills
Be respectful, kind and attentive to the needs of others. Show a genuine interest in others. By doing so you will demonstrate emotional intelligence.
Relax
If you are nervous or anxious about meeting someone new, try to compose yourself and remember this is a professional conversation, not an interrogation. To calm yourself, try to slow your breathing by taking deep breaths.
Conclude the conversation positively
When meeting someone new, end the conversation by saying thank you to the other person and shaking their hand. You should also keep eye contact and smile.
Making a good impression isn’t always easy. However, by following these tips you will give yourself the best chance of being remembered positively.
Send a follow up email
Depending on the context, sending a follow up email after you’ve met someone can be a good idea. Doing so may enhance their impression of you and make you more memorable.
Are you looking to build your career? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer career development coaching and interview skills coaching.