Make a Good First Impression

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Make a Good First Impression

I would like to give you some tips on how to make a good first impression.

On meeting someone, do the following things:

1. Look right into their eye; give direct eye contact.
2. As you look into their eye; smile gently.
3. Hold-out your hand; make an invitation to shake hands.
4. As you shake hands, if you are strangers, give your first name and ask for theirs.
5. Immediately use their name and ask them how they are: "Hi Sam, nice to meet you. How are you today?"
6. Keep the conversation going by asking easy-to-answer questions.
7. Listen more than you speak.
8. Keep the conversation about current events and optimistic futures.
9. Don't complain or condemn, nor criticise anyone.
10. Keep an eye on the feedback results your actions are creating and make the necessary changes.

Let us elaborate a little on each point:

1. Look right into their eye; give direct eye contact.

The eyes are the window to the soul. So always look into their eyes and you will see who they are and how they are feeling.

2. As you look into their eye; smile gently.

A smile is the best way to show you are a friend. People like friendly people. SMILE and the world smiles with you.

3. Hold-out your hand; make an invitation to shake hands.

Not everyone likes to shake hands, but most people do. Give a brief, firm and dry handshake, and keep looking into their eyes and have a warm smile hovering on your lips.

4. As you shake hands, if you are strangers, give your first name and ask for theirs.

Volunteer your name first and they will usually give you their name.

If they don't, after you have given your name, ask for theirs in return.

"Hi. My name is Chris. And your name is......?

5. Immediately use their name and ask them how they are.

"Nice to meet you Sam. How's your day going?"

6. Keep the conversation going by asking easy-to-answer questions.

Ask questions that are easy to answer. This gives the person something to say, without feeling stressed. This allows the other person to relax in your presence and to get used to you. The more they feel relaxed in your presence the better it is for both of you.

7. Listen more than you speak.

Too many people talk too much. Don't be one of them. See if you can give the lion's share of the conversation to the other person.

8. Keep the conversation about current events and optimistic futures.

Be positive. too many people are too negative. Especially nowadays. You should strive to be a little more optimistic than the average.

9. Don't complain, condemn nor criticise anyone.

Don't complain about anything. If you come across as negative in the first few minutes, you will make a bad impression. Don't criticise anyone, nor complain about the weather, the traffic or the management. Don't tell them about your headache or feelings of exhaustion, nor any other medical conditions. If it is negative, don't say it.

10. Keep an eye on the feedback results your actions are creating and make the necessary adjustments.

After a few minutes, you will begin to get the measure of each other and you should begin to adjust your conversation according to the feedback you are getting. Keep the conversation on the things they are good at talking about.

Follow these tips and you will make a positive first impression.

Quiz: Do you make a good first impression?

First impressions really do count. If you are like most people, when you meet a new person, you make a quick judgement and decide quickly, if you like the look of them or not. And what is true for others, is true for you. Take our quiz to discover if you make a good first impression.

Communication Skills Training

Communication Skills Training

Do you ever think to yourself, "I know what I mean, but I can't explain it"? You need to be able communicate facts, feelings, information and ideas, in a clear, professional and confident manner. If you want to learn more about our communication skills training, please click here.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• The Six Barriers of Successful Communication
  In order to be successful, we need to be able to communicate well with others. There are many barriers that can cause breakdowns in communication, which you need to be aware of and deal with effectively.
  Read Article >
• Communication skills - Accurate language
  Communication skills - Accurate language Many people have trouble expressing themselves. They say: "I know what I mean but I can't explain it!" But you need to be able to express yourself with both clarity and accuracy. Here is a rule that will help you to get better results. Clarity is...
  Read Article >
• Clear Communication
  Clear Communication How would you rate yourself as a clear communicator? Do people always understand your message? Or when you speak, do you suffer the problem of other people NOT properly understanding your exact meaning? You need to develop the skill of clear communication It is important that you do, because...
  Read Article >
• Communication Skills for Sales People
  Whether you need to sell your services or your products, the ability to persuade people to buy is vital to your success. The ability to sell is not a natural talent, it needs to be learned and practised until it becomes second nature.
  Read Article >
• Communication Skills Training: Objective and Subjective Language
  Objective and Subjective Language It is important to distinguish between two kinds of language: Objective language and subjective language. Every day you experience your "personal experience". You have to experience YOUR experience of an event. But isn't it true that YOUR experience of an event, may be very different to the...
  Read Article >

Looking for Communication Skills Training?

If you're looking to develop your Clear Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:

Open Training Course Pricing and Availability

Next Open Course Starts in 3 days, Manchester, places available Book Now >