First Impressions

Make First Impressions Count

It's that time of the year where students graduate, and many others look for new opportunities. No matter what the event, whether it’s a social gathering, a business seminar, or office function, you’re meeting new people and sizing them up. And they’re doing the same with you. Within the first minute you meet, people make judgments about each other. Those first impressions can easily become lasting impressions. What do you want those first few seconds to say about you? Make that first impression count!

When first impressions make the difference, it’s important to understand how you come across to others and especially how you impact people, whether it’s in person on paper or on social media.

First Impressions Made in Person

Attire
Whenever you’re meeting people for the first time, whether you’re networking, attending a business seminar, or dating, it’s essential to look the part. In other words, dress for the specific occasion, even if it means doing a little research up front. Think of how you want to be perceived by the people you’re about to meet and dress accordingly.

Grooming
Hair should be neat; NOT the wind-tunnel look. For women, less makeup is always better than too much, and a light perfume or cologne is acceptable, but be careful of overwhelming the people in
the room with the scent, as it can be interpreted as not bathing. Keep in mind that being well-groomed can make people think you’re efficient and reliable, while being disheveled and/or untidy could make people think you’re disorganized.

The Handshake
Keep it simple. Extend your right hand, vertical palm (body language is obvious), look the person in the eye, and grasp their hand gently but firmly. No need to prove how strong you might be, and leave the other hand from embracing the first. And most definitely no wimpy handshakes.

Your Conversation
The world does not revolve around you, and neither should your conversations. Be certain to engage the other person when you talk, and use their name for emphasis. You can, of course, talk about yourself, but don’t make the whole conversation about you, and tell no stories. Look for common ground with the person you’re talking to, and share conversations about that common interest.

Attitude
A great posture, standing or sitting will be recognized, and also be judged. Nothing works better in any situation than having and expressing a positive attitude. A smile is priceless and displays confidence and a calm demeanor. Let your enthusiasm for any new situation show, but leave your problems at the door. NO baggage allowed!

First Impressions Made With Visuals

Cover Letters
Your cover letter might be someone’s first impression of your personality and professionalism. Keep it short. That means no more than four or five brief paragraphs. In your first paragraph, create a dynamic and powerful opening that explains why you are writing. Always address the letter to the recipient by name. Do not use, "To whom it may concern”, as that shows that little knowledge or interest in the company. The worst mistake you can make would be misspelling the person’s name. And even worst, misspelling anything else in the cover letter. After all, if you’re not careful about your own business, why would anyone think you’ll take care of theirs?

Resumes
A single-page resume is best, but don’t cram every single detail into a page with zero margins and tiny type. Only add an additional page if absolutely necessary. Organize your resume to reflect your most recent work at the top and include dates of employment, perhaps a contact person. Use bullet sentences, not paragraphs, to describe your work experience. Resumes are read quickly, and bullet sentences are easier to read than long paragraphs. And be certain to spell check carefully, as misspellings and grammatical errors tell employers you are not detail oriented.

Online Social Media
Be aware that what you post on social media generally stays forever in the cloud, which is the source from which anyone can capture your "fun" sharing with friends. People copy and share photos and video, and it can go viral very easily. Remember, you are judged by your actions, your writings, and who you are seen with on those "special" digital fantasies. A common practice of most businesses today is to track and inspect your Facebook, Twitter and other, open to the public, forums. Thus, beware of what is fun and what is practical, as your future could very well depend on it ....