Several studies have shown that people will make many important judgments concerning your personality and decide whether they like you, in less than thirty seconds. For instance, according to the April 24, 2019 edition of Business Insider, it takes only one-tenth of a second for people to decide if they can trust you.
Is it essential for people to feel you are trustworthy? You better believe it is. The first impression you leave in this matter can even have an impact on your financial situation. How so? Well, take for example that potential new boss who is interviewing for a higher paying job you’d like to have, or the financial institution representative you are meeting about getting a loan you need, or even the landlord from whom you’d like to rent a better, yet less expensive apartment. Will you get what you need from these people if they don’t trust you? Not a chance.
So, how do we go about making a good first impression? Here are 5 tips to help you do just that:
Be on Time
Arriving on time is the first thing when it comes to making a good impression when you have a scheduled appointment. It shows the person you are meeting that you value their time and that you are trustworthy.
Smile
A relaxed and genuine smile is one of the most important things that you can do to convey friendliness and trustworthiness to others. It will make that the person you are interacting with, see you in a positive light.
Look People in the Eye
People tend to distrust those who avoid looking them in the eye. So, use your eyes to convey to the person in front of you that they can trust you and that you are interested in what they say. Do this by looking at them when they are talking to you, and by paying attention to what they are saying.
Firm Handshake
If you are meeting someone with a certain authority in a formal setting, take your cue from them. If they offer their hand, then a handshake is appropriate. Make sure that your grasp is firm, without being crushing, and avoid giving a limp handshake, which is a definite turnoff.
Don’t Swear
If your goal is to make a good impression, it may be best to refrain from using curse words. Many people are offended by profanity, and they see it as a lack of professionalism.
Yes, making a good first impression is important. It can have an impact on most if not all your relationships, and therefore, by extension, it can even affect your financial situation. And since it is very difficult to change the first impression you make on someone, why not get it right the first time by using some, if not all of the pointers mentioned above?