How to... make a good first impression
Personal development / 17 October 2011
A firm, but not bone-crushing, handshake might be one thing you could use to make a good first impression
If you want to get ahead in life, forget limp handshakes, says Xfusion’s Kate Tojeiro. Making a good impression requires eye contact, approachability and an air of authority
Straighten up
Stand up straight and keep your shoulders back. If you look self-assured then people will think you are
Make eye contact
Always make lots of good eye contact. If you avoid looking someone in the eye they may assume you can’t be trusted, even if it is just subconsciously
Firm but fair
Always have a firm handshake, but avoid crushing bones. If you do put your other hand on top of their clasped hands, it can come across as caring and warm, but use with caution, as some people may find it patronising
The distance you stand from others is crucial if you want to give off the right signals. Stand too close and you’ll be seen as pushy. Stand or sit too far away and you’ll be perceived as standoffish. Use their body language as a guide to how close to get.
Kate Tojeiro, Xfusion
Be confident
If walking into a room, do so with purpose, even if you don’t feel purposeful
Don’t be standoffish
Try to exude warmth and approachability when talking to people. No one wants to deal with someone who is cold and steely; though of course there will be moments when it may be in your interests to convey that
Use your body
If you want to come across as friendly and in a listening, receptive mode, tilt your head just a little to one side or other. You can shift the tilt from left to right at different points in the conversation
Proximity matters
The distance you stand from others is crucial if you want to give off the right signals. Stand too close and you’ll be seen as pushy. Stand or sit too far away and you’ll be perceived as standoffish. Use their body language as a guide to how close to get
Sit still
Try not to fidget any more than you normally might, as people could perceive that you are nervous, stressed or being deceptive. Keep a calm and relaxed posture
Don’t be afraid to fake it
Fake it ‘til you make it. In this context, the hackneyed phrase really does make sense with regards to your body language. If you handle yourself confidently, you will begin to feel more confident and people will see you as such