First impressions are key to absolutely everything that happens in life from a social standpoint. If you want to be more professional and you want to impress people with what you have, you need to make a good first impression. It’s quite a harsh thing, but it’s only what the brain perceives. We judge things right away and we pretty much make up our minds within the first few seconds or minutes.
If you want to create a successful business and you want to gather a good reputation, you need to ensure that you have a solid first impression. When you are interviewing people or taking part in meetings, there needs to be a real sense of poise and professionalism. Lots of individuals and groups alike struggle with this kind of thing. It’s a case of learning with experience and taking on a few of the right habits. Just a few things that you can do in order to hurry that kind of thing along:
Make Sure You’re Looking The Part
Some people don’t mind one’s attire because they feel as though they’re more pressing matters ahead. The truth, however, is that what you wear does in fact set the tone for everything that follows. If you dress professionally and appropriately, you will exude confidence and competence. It’s worth doing a little research into the group or individual you are meeting so that you can understand exactly what to wear.
Be Punctual
This is something that is non-negotiable in most aspects of life. You can’t expect to be late to things and then expect to be taken seriously. Showing up on time is something that you should do in your personal life as well as your professional life. Even arriving a few minutes late can be a negative thing.
Prepare Extensively And Do The Research
We just touched on the fact that you should be doing research in terms of how to approach your attire, but it should be done in general, too. Prior to any kind of meeting, research the people and the topics are hand. Being well prepared will help you with what’s to follow and also show everybody that you value what is happening.
Think About Your Body Language
The things you say are important, but so is the way you present yourself, in general. Body language plays a huge part in communication. Maintain eye contact and offer a firm handshake. Do whatever you can to stop bad habits such as tapping your feet or checking your phone every few minutes.
Active Listening
Listening is something that should be done at any given moment. It’s very easy for a lot of people to not pay attention, however. It’s not just a case of hearing what they are saying but taking into account important points. Ask questions and provide feedback in appropriate areas. It will demonstrate that you are more engaged and interested in what is going on.
Treat Guests Properly
If you are going to be welcoming people into your workplace or taking them for lunch, you will want to make sure that you are putting them in the best possible place. As a host, you might be meeting certain individuals who are traveling from afar. If this is the case, you might want to provide certain taxis, shuttle services, or other important information to make everything easier for them. If things get off to a good start, a positive first impression is built.
Speak Properly, Clearly, And Concisely
You don’t have to be the most charismatic person in the room, but speaking clearly and concisely can do so much for the impression you give. Articulating your thoughts is a skill and something that can be practiced over time. Don’t overcomplicate things and certainly do not ramble on. Practicing your communication skills can be done on your own or in groups of friends.
Possess The Right Amount Of Confidence
Try your best to be as confident as you can without stumbling upon arrogance. People can see right through arrogant people or those projecting a fake personality. If you are confident in your abilities, be sure to show everybody during the interview or meeting. You can really win people over and you speak positively and confidently.
Show Respect
Many people in this world struggle with being respectful and courteous in even the simplest of circumstances. When you show people respect, they will be equally respectful in return most of the time. Politeness tends to go a long way, so if you treat people properly regardless of their title, they will remember. The chances are that they would have taken time out of their day to meet with you, so be sure to show the right amount of appreciation.
Be Positive In Most Things You Do
Positivity can make everybody feel so much better about where they are. It’s amazing just how easily a negative person can suck the energy out of the room. We touched on positive body language, but we’ll reiterate this so that the real point can be made. Smiling and nodding may seem like subtle moves, but they can convey openness and approachability. If you want to create a welcoming atmosphere in any kind of meeting, you should be positive whenever you possibly can.
Be A Solution-Oriented Group And Individual
Dwelling on problems and being negative will only lead to more negativity. If you can present constructive ideas that involve problem-solving skills, you will get more people on your side. You will leave the last impression if you are proactive with your ideas instead of reactive.
Follow-Up Shortly After
After any kind of meeting, it’s good to send a follow-up email in order to express gratitude. It shows ambition and appreciation. Recapping certain points and maintaining a connection can go a long way. It’s very easy to stay silent for a while afterward but that kind of thing will create a sense of awkwardness and tension that you would wish to avoid.Â
