You never get a second chance to make a first impression. (Andrew Grant) I know we should not judge people, but we do! Remember when you met your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband for the first time? You made a decision to approach or be approachable. I am not talking about love at first sight, but you were interested. You look for verbal or nonverbal clues that the interest is mutual.
When you interview or meet a business acquaintance for the first time, both of you are sizing each other up. Little things such as how you are dressed, speak and act will influence your first impression. This occurs in literally seconds! Your attitude, smile, eye contact, energy, likeability, enthusiasm, confidence and a firm hand shake are just a few more factors to make a first impression. This is not just for interviews and sales calls, don’t forget networking, business lunches, meeting colleagues, and just doing your job.
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Final thoughts
Every year, I meet about one hundred seventy-five (175) students in my classes every semester. I probably meet anywhere from ten (10) to thirty (30) percent of their parents too. If I include all the teachers, administrators and various students not in my classes, it becomes a pretty big number. I even try to remember all their names and make a good impression on everyone I meet. How many people do you meet in an entire year? What kind of impression do you make? You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
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