10 tips to make a good first impression

Like it or not there are situations in life where it is important to make a good first impression. If what you want is to get that job you want so much, or not to jettison the first date with the boy or girl for whom you have spent so many hours sighing, you better keep reading this article.

And, in these types of situations, you probably only have a single opportunity to project a good impression. People form opinions of others in just a few minutes, and that is why you must be prepared to show your best version. This does not mean that you should appear to be a top executive when you are not. But even so, being yourself, your attitude or nerves can play a trick on you.

Science has shown that the first impression is made in just seven seconds after you meet someone. Therefore, when you meet new people, they do a quick scan of your smile, your way of shaking hands, the way you introduce yourself, and so on. As the minutes go by, they wonder if you are trustworthy, if you are a genuinely good person, if they want to keep getting to know you, or if they want to keep working with you. As you can see, many questions are being answered in those critical minutes. What they see of you and what you make them feel will mark whether they continue to have contact with you or not.

Tips for making a good first impression

People can forget what you said. People can forget what you have done. But they will never forget how you made them feel. Think about it for a few seconds, you too form a first impression of the people you meet for the first time, so you should know that. On some occasion, you will have made a mistake judging others before their time.

To prevent this from happening to you, we invite you to follow the following tips.

1. Be punctual

First of all, you must be punctual. Nobody likes the person they have arranged to be late with, and less if it is a job interview. Be aware of this and give yourself enough time to be on time because otherwise you may not get a second chance.

2. Observe body language

You body language speak silently about yourself. Various studies They have shown that it is four times more important than the things you can say. Looking the person in the eye while speaking or shaking hands firmly is important to make a good first impression.

3. Smile

Although the smile has to do with body language, separating it from the previous point is important to remember it. You don't need to show your teeth, but there is nothing that creates a better impression than a big smile. Try not to go from smiling to serious too quickly, as it will seem that you are forcing it. The key is naturalness.

4. just relax

Posture is important to show good body language, but don't look like a robot when you try to control it. Sit up straight, but don't be so rigid that it shows that you are forcing the situation. Relax and don't be nervous, enjoy the moment.

5. Be yourself

Don't pretend to be someone you're not, because it may show. So be yourself. This may sound like a cliché but it is the truth. So try not to lie, because if you get caught, the image of a liar will be marked.

6. Be positive

Your attitude shows in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even if you are criticized or nervous. If you have an interview or have met that special someone, you should think that if for some reason the situation does not go as you wanted, it will be a great learning.

7. Believe in yourself

This point gathers all the previous ones, because if you trust yourself, your body language projects it: you smile more, shake hands firmly, you are relaxed, etc. Consequently, it is not only a matter of being forcefully relaxed, but you must value yourself. If not, you may be successful in the first meeting, but little by little your lack of confidence will gain ground.

8. Be open and humble

The modesty it is one of the values ​​that we human beings cherish the most. Try not to be arrogant and be open to others. That builds trust, and a good rapport. A big ego can create rejection, so if you want to hit it off fast, show yourself as a humble and respectful person.

9. Highlight your features

We have something unique to offer. Perhaps you are an expert in a branch of knowledge that arouses curiosity in others, or you have a great sense of humor. If you still don't know what you can offer, better do some self-knowledge work right now. Now, seducing a girl or a boy is not the same as seducing an interviewer for a job. So you must also take into account the situation of each moment.

10. Be empathetic

To get along with others, you must be empathetic. This means that if you look at the situation from the point of view of others, you will be closer to knowing exactly how to act and make a good impression on that person.

Bonus: dress according to the situation

You should try to be yourself whenever you can. But there are many times when you have to show a certain image. For example, if you aspire to a position in a multinational, you must use a look I laughed. In this case, you must identify the needs of the situation and, if you really want that position, dress the right way.