The Importance of First Impressions
By Susie Wilson, Guest Editor
By Susie Wilson, Guest Editor
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“Within only 3 seconds you make an indelible impression. You my intrigue some and disenchant others. The “First Impression” process occurs in every new situation. Within the first few seconds people pass judgement on you. Once the “First Impression” is made on you, it is virtually irreversible.
You can learn to make a positive and lasting first impression, modify it to suit any situation, and come out a winner. Doing so requires you to assess and identify your personality, physical appearance, lifestyle and goals. Those who do will have the advantage.
Success comes to those with integrity, those who are resourceful, and those who make a fabulous impression! Whether they are in your career or social life, it’s important to know how to create a good “first impression”. This article provides some useful tips to help you do this.
Be on Time
The person you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your “excuse” for running late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early. And allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving early is much better than arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression.
Be Yourself, Be at Ease
If you are feeling uncomfortable and on edge, this can make the other person ill at ease and that’s a sure way to create the wrong impression. If you are calm and confident, the other person will feel more at ease, and so then you will have a solid foundation for making that first impression a good one.
Your physical appearance matters. The person you are meeting for the first time does not know you and your appearance is usually the first clue he or she has to go on.
But it certainly does not mean you need to look like a model to create a strong and positive “first impression.” (Unless you are interviewing with your local model agency, of course!)
No. The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately.
Create the right professional and personal visual image for yourself. It is important to project a positive and lasting “first impression” and come across with self-confidence through feeling good about the way you look.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so the “picture” you first present says much 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? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire?
And ask yourself what the person you'll be meeting is likely to wear - if your contact is in advertising or the music industry, a corporate business suit may not strike the right note!
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 you are in an unfamiliar setting or country. Make sure you know the traditions.
What about your personal grooming? Clean and tidy appearance is expected for business and social occasions. Make sure your hair has a great style, with a great colour.
Make-up should look natural. Long fingernails and chipped polish are distracting. If you wear nail lacquer, make sure to use a subtle colour. Avoid stiletto high heels and don’t wear anything sexy.
Appropriate dress and grooming help make a good “first impression”.
A Word about Individuality
The good news is you can usually create a good impression without total conformity or losing your individuality. Yes, to make a good first impression you do need to “fit in” to some degree. But it all goes back to being appropriate for the situation. If in a business setting, wear appropriate business attire. If at a formal evening social event, wear appropriate evening attire. And express your individuality appropriately within that context.
A Winning Smile!
“Smile and the world smiles too.” There’s nothing like a smile to create a good first impression. A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease. Smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions. But don't go overboard with this - people who take this too far can seem insincere, or can be seen to be "lightweights".
Be Open and Confident
When it comes to making the first impression, body language as well as appearance speaks much louder than words.
Use your body language to project appropriate confidence and self-assurance. Stand tall, smile, make eye contact, but be careful not to stare. Greetings express your gratitude when meeting someone for the first time: step forward, maintain eye contact, smile, and extend your hand. Be sure your handshake is firm and positive. All of this will help you project confidence and encourage both you and the other person to feel more at ease.
Body language and facial expressions are important aspects of your professional image. Research shows that the body language, including voice, account for 38 percent of an overall first impression. Therefore, your non-verbal communication also has an impact on your presentation.
Be Positive
Your attitude shows through in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately, maintaining an upbeat manner and a smile.
It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behaviour help make a good first impression. In fact, anything less can ruin the one chance you have at making that great first impression.
One modern manner worth mentioning is “turn off your mobile phone”. What first impression will you create if you are already speaking to someone other than the person you are meeting for the first time? Your new acquaintance deserves 100% of your attention. Anything less and you’ll create a less than good “first impression.”
In the business world, first impressions matter. Research concludes that well presented and well groomed people:
- Have more favourable social relationship interactions
- Are considered to be “more pleasant”
- Are offered more opportunities
- Are perceived as more likeable, trustworthy and honest
My final word: a first impression should create a human connection that includes all parties and puts everyone on the same playing field. So make those first 3 seconds count!
Susie Wilson is CEO and Founder of VAMP Creations and a former Model / Image specialist. Susie’s experience spans over 2 decades, being a judge on the panel for Miss World New Zealand and Fashion in the Field race cup days. In this time Susie has gained excellence in social etiquette, model training, the art of professional make-up artistry and Finishing School.Whether you are eager to improve your own etiquette or simply wish to indulge in the fancies of polite society, Ms Wilson is the person to show how to be the perfect lady. Susie Wilson possesses a delicate combination of grace and elegance, brimming with advice on every etiquette issue, to ensure that you navigate your way through the trickiest of social dilemmas with complete confidence.
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| Susie Wilson Image Group. |
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