We've all heard it before: "A first impression is a lasting impression." This statement holds very true, and should make us think about how we prepare before meeting with someone new.
Knowing that it takes 6 seconds for someone to form a first impression doesn't give us much time to put our best foot forward. MoneyBuildr has compiled 9 Tips For Making A Great First Impression in either an interview or business setting:
1. Do your research
Whether you're going on an interview, or meeting with a new client, you want to do a little research on the person before arriving so you know what you're getting into. There's numerous ways to do this: through Linkedin, or any social media platform, where you can get a decent understanding of who you are meeting with. Don't go crazy and stalk the person, but grab enough information so you can come up with proper topics to discuss. Maybe jot down their achievements and interests.
2. Prepare
In addition to doing your research on the person, prepare yourself for the meeting. If it's an interview, have all the interview questions that they may ask down-pat, and know about the company. If it's a meeting with a client, have all of your paperwork ready beforehand. There's nothing worse than meeting with someone for the first time when you're ill-prepared.
3. Dress for success
You have to look the part. Whatever the job may be that you are applying for, or whatever business meeting you have, always dress your best. Use your judgement to wear what's appropriate for the occasion, and when in doubt, remember to: "dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
4. Smile
This may be the simplest tip on the list, but just smile! Relax your face, and let your confidence shine through in your smile. You are a professional, and you are prepared for anything, but remember to smile, because in those 6 seconds, it is all anyone sees.
5. Have a good handshake
Whether you are a man or a woman, it's important to have a good firm handshake. It's the worst when you go to shake someone's hand, and they have a flimsy lifeless handshake. People actually form opinions based on the quality of your handshake, so make sure it's firm and assertive.
6. Arrive early
Arriving early shows that you're responsible and respectful of the other person's time. Being late is a huge deal breaker for many people, so if you are normally tardy, you will want to change that in order to make a great first impression. Like the old saying goes: "to be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late; to be late is to be sorry." Leave enough time for traffic, parking, and inclement weather.
7. Turn off distractions
The most annoying thing to happen in an important meeting or interview, is to have your phone go off. It is extremely distracting when this happens, so you want to make sure your phone is either on silent, or turned off before the meeting begins. Sometimes for business, it is necessary for you to be on your phone, however, you also must honor the persons time who is in front of your face.
8. Listen more than you speak
Way too often people spend more time speaking then they do listening. You will notice that when you listen more, you learn more. While in an interview, you will be asked a lot of questions, so listen carefully to them. It is always helpful to keep a pen and paper in a meeting or interview to jot down any information that you feel is valuable. You never know when this information will come in handy.
9. Give a proper farewell
If you are saying goodbye in an interview, find out when you will follow-up. If it is a business meeting, find out what the next step is, and when it will be taken. Too often, we just leave a meeting with no clear understanding of what the next step is- so try and make it as clear as possible. Also do not forget the minor but important details like exchanging business cards and contact information.