How to Make a Positive First Impression
When you walk into an interview, remember this: It only takes 30 seconds to make a lasting impression.
Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to help master the first impression:
Timing
Few things give a worse impression than showing up late for an important meeting. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the interview in case you have trouble finding the office.
Appearance
Like it or not, people make judgments on appearances, so it’s important to arrive at the interview looking like the seasoned professional that you are. But if you dress too formally, you’ll look stuffy, and if you dress too casually, the interviewer may think you’re not serious about the job.
Be sure your hair is clean and well-groomed – nothing spiky or wild – and keep your makeup minimal. Cover any tattoos, and limit visible piercings to one in each earlobe.
Handshake
According to Emily Post's book, your grip speaks volumes. Offer a limp hand and your partner will think you're hesitant or meek. Give a bone-crunching squeeze and you can appear overly enthusiastic or domineering – and it hurts! But when you shake with a medium-firm grip, you convey confidence and authority.
Extend your hand and grip when the webs of your palms touch. Then, pump your hand a couple of times.
Body language
Don’t underestimate the importance of your posture and subtle movements. A study by Albert Mehrabian of UCLA found that 55 percent of communication is received from body language.
Click For More Tip: "How to Make a Positive First Impression"
::MSN
Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to help master the first impression:
Timing
Few things give a worse impression than showing up late for an important meeting. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the interview in case you have trouble finding the office.
Appearance
Like it or not, people make judgments on appearances, so it’s important to arrive at the interview looking like the seasoned professional that you are. But if you dress too formally, you’ll look stuffy, and if you dress too casually, the interviewer may think you’re not serious about the job.
Be sure your hair is clean and well-groomed – nothing spiky or wild – and keep your makeup minimal. Cover any tattoos, and limit visible piercings to one in each earlobe.
Handshake
According to Emily Post's book, your grip speaks volumes. Offer a limp hand and your partner will think you're hesitant or meek. Give a bone-crunching squeeze and you can appear overly enthusiastic or domineering – and it hurts! But when you shake with a medium-firm grip, you convey confidence and authority.
Extend your hand and grip when the webs of your palms touch. Then, pump your hand a couple of times.
Body language
Don’t underestimate the importance of your posture and subtle movements. A study by Albert Mehrabian of UCLA found that 55 percent of communication is received from body language.
Click For More Tip: "How to Make a Positive First Impression"
::MSN
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