If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make sure you get it right the first time by avoiding these common first impression mistakes.
Mistake #1: Wearing the Wrong Clothing
Dress appropriately. Take your style cues from the person you’re trying to impress. You may like dressing casually, but if you’re interviewing at a law firm, you’ll want to refine your look.
Mistake #2: Not Knowing Who You’re Meeting
Research the person you’re going to meet. This is extremely important in business, whether you’re meeting a colleague or going on an interview. You need some context when you’re speaking with someone new. In a business setting, people will expect you to have some background information.
Mistake #3: Drawing a Blank About the Company
If you’re heading into an unfamiliar business, Google the company beforehand so that you can figure out what the organization does. On an interview, you’ll be expected to know some background information about both the company and the job you’re applying for.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Similarities
Break the ice by bringing up a mutual friend or an interest you share with the other person. People like having something in common with a person they’re meeting for the first time. It will put both of you at ease and give you something to start chatting about.
Mistake #5: Not Defining Your Objective
If you don’t have a goal for the conversation or meeting, it’s likely to end on an awkward note. Make sure to always know your goals when meeting new people, whether you’re in a business setting and want to add a new contact to your phone book or you’re at a wedding and are looking to reconnect with old friends.
Mistake #6: Flaunting What You’ve Got
Nobody likes a bragger, even if you truly have plenty to brag about. Always err on the side of modest; never come off as arrogant. Don’t over-talk about yourself and always make sure to ask the other person plenty of questions.
Mistake #7: Not Respecting the Other Person’s Time
There are a lot of things you can do to show that you don’t care about the other person’s time: show up late for a meeting, not listen to them when they speak, cut them off mid-sentence, etc. This is the quickest way to make a terrible first impression.
Making a great first impression is the quickest way to get people to like you. However, if you fail miserably, the second most important thing is bouncing back! At least you’ve learned something that you can use the next time you meet somebody for the first time.