| By Ally Mueller |
While you have probably heard the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression” more than a few times, it holds great veracity in our world today. This phrase applies to nearly all of our interactions with others, but is especially crucial in networking situations. When meeting a potential employer for the first time, for example, it only takes them about three seconds to evaluate you and form an opinion about you (regardless of who you actually are as a person). Thus, it is important to align your first impression with how you want people to perceive you.
- Be On Time. When you are meeting someone for the first time, leave lots of extra time to park, find the meeting place, etc. If you are late, the person you are meeting with will already have a negative impression of you before you even arrive!
- Dress For The Occasion. Think about who you are meeting with and decide what kind of attire is appropriate for that setting. Are you meeting in a corporate office? Are you meeting with a start-up high-tech firm? If you are unsure of how employees in that particular company dress, remember that it is better to err on the side of more formal than more casual. Additionally, look clean and well-groomed, and for women, don’t over accessorize. You want to appear professional and clean-cut, as this will help make a good first impression.
- Smile! Smiling when you first see the person you are meeting will help to put them at ease and presents you in a positive light.
- Have A Good Handshake and Make Eye Contact. Along with a smile, give a firm (yet not overpowering) handshake while looking the person you are meeting with in the eye. A good handshake is a symbol of self-confidence.
- Be Attentive. Once you are actually talking to the person, be responsive both verbally and non-verbally. Try not to fidget or look down—it’s important to maintain eye contact.
- Master Small Talk. While small talk may seem trivial, it’s important to learn the skill in order to converse with strangers in networking situations. Ask questions and follow-up questions to the person you are meeting with, ask about their interests or organization, and let them know when you have something in common. Finding a common interest can turn small talk into a much more meaningful conversation.
- Remember The Person’s Name. When the meeting/conversation is ending, be sure to say “It was nice meeting you, [Insert Name].” This will help you to remember that person’s name in the future, and makes your interaction with them more personal.
- Send A Thank You Email or Note. Soon after your meeting, send the person you met with either a handwritten thank you note or email. Be sure to reference specific things you talked about to make the note more personal and relatable. While handwritten thank you notes are often more meaningful, an email thank you can be just as effective (especially depending on the situation).
While this may seem like a lot to think about when you are first meeting someone, just remember to be yourself. It is most important for the other person to see your true personality, which they will be able to easily discern if you are at ease and comfortable with them. A positive first impression can lead to a positive second impression and even beyond—you never know what may result if you make a positive first impression!