An encounter with a new person always brings anxiety and stress, along with the doubt of making a great first impression, as the way you present yourself is most of the times how the others will remember you.
Self-presentation is how people attempt to present themselves to control or shape how others view them. It includes self-expression and behaving in ways that create a desired impression. It is a part of a broader set of behaviour called impression management.
First, people want to appear likeable. People like others who are attractive, interesting, and fun to be with.
The great first impression
We all have heard the expression “first impressions are everything” or “the first impression is the last impression.” But to what extent is that true?
A recent research revealed that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face, and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those impressions although they might boost your confidence in your judgments. This means that during an encounter you should always be prepared on how you look, how you talk and how to act.
Consequently, making a great first impression is a major step that will boost you to continue with any acquaintance.
Tips for a good impression
Below, we provide some tips and tricks on what to be aware of when you want to make a good impression to a person or a number of people:
- Body Language
You should always be mindful of your body language, keeping in mind that when you meet someone for the first time, it is better to keep your posture open, don’t ball your hands into fists, and don’t hunch over in your seat.
- Eye Contact
Focus on the person or people you are speaking with. It’s hard to get to know someone when you’re looking down at a screen, so make an effort to make some eye contact with everyone in the room. In addition, looking one right in their eyes makes them feel comfortable that you’re present during any discussion.
- Put your phone away
Following the tip above, keeping your phone away means that you give all your attention to the person or people you want to impress. Give your complete and undivided attention to the people you’re meeting for the first time to convey your commitment and your good manners.
- Be prepared
Whatever the occasion is, from a job interview to a meeting, to make a great first impression you have to ensure that you respect everyone’s time by being prepared and plan accordingly.
- Engage
A common mistake is when people try to make a good impression, they seem to exaggerate sometimes, by adding information and knowledge they might not have; Therefore, it is advisable not to exaggerate and try to find what connects you with the other person or persons, so that you engage with them.
- Know your audience
Do your research prior to the encounter so you know what you have to deal with. If your meeting is planned in advance, you should know plenty about the person or business that you’re meeting with prior to your arrival.
- Follow up
Last but not least, do not forget to follow up, by sending any necessary information or sending a thank you note. A small follow up gesture will make clear that you are serious about this acquaintance and that you’re making them a priority, rather than just another task to check off your to-do list.
In addition to the tips explained above, it is important to keep in mind that except the appearance and way of dressing, manners do matter. Manners along with body language can help an individual progress to be fairer and kinder.
How to present yourself: The Don’ts
Furthermore, in order to make a good self-presentation it is crucial to keep in mind the “don’ts”.
- Don’t interrupt
During a conversation or a dialogue, you ought to respect the other speaker or speakers and don’t interrupt them when talking. This will show that you are a good listener and you respect what they have to say.
- Ask questions
Asking questions means that you don’t just stand there, but you pay close attention to what the others say; You actually listen to other people. Don’t wait for your turn to talk. Ask clarifying questions and provide confirmation that you’re listening.
- No anxiety
Although it is hard not to be stressed or anxious when you’re presenting yourself, being calm and relaxed is the road for the success. Unless your anxiety makes you more creative, find ways to relax.
Keep in mind that you don’t want your anxiety to show. Therefore, your body language should be confident and comfortable.
Overall, having good habits is a positive approach to decently present yourself to others and aim to success. Whether you are good or not at meeting people or talking in front of large audiences, following some simple, everyday tips will certainly make you feel more comfortable and confident.
To recap, the three tips to always have in mind are:
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