Issue No.5, April 2008

Making a Good First Impression

Article courtesy of Michael Page International

We've all heard the premise that first impressions count, and that people really do make up their minds within the first few seconds (let alone minutes) of meeting you. But how true is it?

You may be very surprised at what you can ascertain from the first few moments in someone's presence. Every day you come in contact with new people and rely on facial expressions, clothing, grooming, posture and gestures to initially read a person.

With some extra attention, you can improve your presentation and communication skills to influence how you're perceived and make sure the messages you are sending are clear and confident!

Positive body language

Body language is an important part of making a good first impression and constitutes fifty per cent or more of what we communicate on a daily basis. If you want to communicate well, you need to understand how to use your body language to support what you are saying.

You should use your body language to project confidence and self-assurance. Stand tall, smile, make eye contact and greet people with a firm handshake. All of this will help you project confidence and encourage both you and the other person to feel more at ease.

Most people get a little nervous when meeting someone for the first time, which can lead to nervous habits or sweaty palms. But by being aware of your nervous habits, you can try to keep them in check and control a nervous jitter or laugh.

Always be aware of what your gestures are telling people – facial expressions can give too much away. Make your words, gestures, expressions, tone and message all match for maximum impact.

Looking the part

There are many aspects of an initial encounter with someone that you can't control. However, you do have control over your appearance and should consider the image you wish to project.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the “picture” you first present says a lot about you to the person you are meeting. Is your appearance saying the right things to help create the right first impression?

Start with the way you dress. What is the appropriate dress for the meeting or occasion? Ask yourself what the person you'll be meeting is likely to wear.

For business and social meetings, appropriate dress also varies between countries and cultures, so it's something that you should pay particular attention to when in an unfamiliar setting or country. Make sure you know the traditions and expectations.

In terms of your personal grooming, a clean and tidy appearance is appropriate for most business and social occasions. Appropriate dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel “the part” and therefore be calm and confident.

Effective communication

Communication is fundamental and plays an important part in any first impression. Your ability to communicate with clients, co-workers, subordinates and superiors has a direct impact on how you are perceived by others.

The purpose of communication is to get your message across to others clearly and unambiguously. By successfully getting your message across, you convey your thoughts and ideas effectively.

It's important to think about the presentation of your message. Develop your voice into one that is strong and commands respect; practice lowering the pitch of your voice and delivering in a clear manner. Speaking quickly makes you appear nervous, so enunciate your words and slow the pace down.

Take a few minutes to learn something about the person you meet for the first time before you get together. Is there anything that you know of that you have in common with the person you are meeting? If so, this can be a great way to open the conversation and keep it flowing.

Written communication also plays a crucial part in making a first impression. As you progress in your career, the requirement for written commentary is likely to increase. Correct grammar and spelling are imperative, so develop the habit of double checking everything you write and having others review material when necessary.

Effective communication and getting your message across is paramount in a first encounter. To do this, you must understand what your message is, what audience you are sending it to, and how it will be perceived. You must also weigh-in the circumstances surrounding your communications, such as situational and cultural context.

In conclusion, you have just a few seconds to make a good first impression so don't waste the opportunity. Much of what you should do is common sense. But with a little extra thought and preparation, you can develop your style and make every first impression a great success.