Career Communication

Forging the Best Impression (Business & Professional)

How to make a lasting first impression as a professional

Best Impression

Do you struggle to be remembered by people you’ve just met? Or maybe you want to radiate more confidence and presence when meeting new professional contacts?

Many of my clients and subscribers have asked me how to make a lasting first impression, especially when interacting professionally. How can we exude a memorable persona while presenting ourselves for the first time? Let’s consider how to make a lasting first impression that creates unforgettable professional connections.

This blog post is best digested in 3 parts:

  1. Check the tips summarised below.
  2. Watch the vlog for more detailed training. 
  3. Learn more about our High-Performance Communication Audit to Discover what’s holding you back from eloquent speaking with our tailored and comprehensive audit of every aspect of professional communication. 
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It takes 4-10 minutes to form an accurate judgement of another person, especially if you receive ongoing streams of that person’s behaviour (Bar, et al. 2006). First impressions form rapidly following complex firing in your amydala and posterior cingulate cortex (regions of the primitive brain) and tend to shape future decision making (Schiller et al., 2009) profoundly, especially with readings of trustworthiness.

Your soft skills, words and body language have the capacity to support your message so that you can build connections faster by presenting yourself in a way that sets people at ease, thus increasing your good impression.

Why is a first impression the most critical moment of a meeting?

The first impression you convey is one of the most critical moments when you meet a new contact because it has the scope to open doors rapidly if well done, or crush the chance if handled poorly.

Meeting new people with composure and confidence does not come too easily to everyone, so if you’re the kind of person who tries to avoid this set up, the following tips will be useful.

#1 Conceal your phone

Your mobile device will suck your social attention, eye gaze and focus. Instead you want to pay attention to your contact, conversation cues and show undiverted attention, out of respect, for your new connection. If you need your phone to fiddle on, distract yourself or feel confident standing alone at a networking event or while waiting for your business contact, it will send off the message that you care for your device more than basic etiquette, which we’re sure is not the case.

#2 Always dress your best

You can never be too overdressed. If you’re entering a professional meeting, environment or event where you know you will meet new people, dedicate concerted effort to plan, press and present the best through your attire. Generally, the first 9 seconds of your meeting are when your contacts receive the visual stimuli that shape how trustworthy you are from the facial cues, your attire, stance and posture.

Your new contacts will draw clues about how ethical, qualified, high-ranking, rational and conscientious you are.

For this reason, it’s important to discover what works. You’ll want to consider how to position your attire strategically. Don’t overlook the capacity of your professional appearance to add value to your relationships. If you’re wondering about the state of workwear and what the research is around the best clothing to wear at work to increase your executive presence and credibility, you should visit our website and pick up a copy of our heavily researched resource – The Workwear White Paper which covers the most current research on corporate attire so that you can make better choices about the degree of formality you should go for especially to establish a good first impression.

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The Workwear White Paper

Pick up The Ultimate, research-based Workwear White Paper for what to wear at work if you seek increased influence and executive presence.

#3 Manage your energy levels, movement and composure

Visual distractions are common when we’re nervous, fatigued, under pressure or overstimulated so now let’s explore some tips for how you can manage your movements, energy levels and composure when meeting new people.

If you want to ensure you present as self-assured and confident as possible, cultivate insight into self-awareness especially of your energy levels.

Take a moment to consider your situation. Are you the kind of person who needs to slow down your body when meeting new people or find a way to energise yourself to show increased enthusiasm?

Of course there are many more topics on body language and forming a strong first impression that we don’t have time to discuss today, but if you want more on this, you should check out these two videos on the CADENZA channel-

#4 Believe that you are interesting and have something beneficial to offer

When you enter a new contacts view frame, they will form rapid deductions about your self-worth by reading visible and invisible cues. Target your self-esteem. A strong self-esteem is a critical signal that increases how likeable new connections will find you (Gazzard & Human, 2024). For this reason, incorporate strategies that make you look sound and feel confident, especially when making new connections. Know that you have something to offer and that your life is full of unique moments that mean you have something to share and talk about; this will enhance your professional and social connections and give you a more substantial chance at making a good impression.

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    #5 Learn to be a creative conversationalist

    Conversation is an unplugged skill that we can all work on daily! You’ll perceive the unique value of a first-time meeting if you set up the goal of transforming small talk into a heartfelt conversation as soon as possible.

    Many people feel increased discomfort at first meeting with new contacts, especially at networking events, because they did not manage to learn how to fast-track conversations.
    Small talk is pithy and small, relying on formalised conventions, interpersonal distance and safe topics. In professional dealings, it’s advisable to maintain formalised conventions, interpersonal distance and safe topics without sticking to small talk.

      Here are a few ideas;

      • Strive to find ways to get your conversation partner talking more than you do- you’ll be able how to identify a topic they feel safe, comfortable and interested in.
      • Avoid interrogative questions, sarcasm, negative reflections, and complaints. These approaches tend to disarm our contact and present our message as closed-minded and less open. A warm, positive and upbeat tone will do wonders for how competent your new contact finds you. Avoid why questions as they often are posed as interrogations and can lead to the feeling of being put on the spot.
      • Know that jokes are risky- at first impression, we know a joke can warm the relationship and reduce tension but only if it registers as funny. For this reason, focus on being the most interested conversation partner, rather than the funniest, because at the first point of contact, you won’t have enough don’t read your new acquaintance and make safe predictions about their humour style, processing speed and IQ. Poorly understood jokes leave contacts flailing and can rapidly cause a disconnect, focus instead on setting your contact at ease.
        Best Impression

        #6 Be ready with your elevator pitch

        Your elevator pitch needs to be brief, relatable and intriguing if you want to form an unforgettable impression. It’s easy to disregard the need for an elevator pitch and assume it’s enough to drop some generic remark about your industry, your job title, or a brief description of what you do, but that is not an elevator pitch. If you find yourself at a loss for words or feel bored even listening to yourself outlining what you do when you hear the famous question- “What do you do?” That’s a sign we need to work on your elevator pitch.

        An elevator pitch is not a mechanical bland thing. You’ll know yours is ready if you feel excited to share it and, if you notice it creates an emotional hook point that makes your new contact want to learn more.

        Meeting new contacts is your unique opportunity to show who you are and what you stand for, but more than that, it is your once-only chance to forge a long-lasting, memorable professional relationship. You never know who you will meet and what impact that connection can have. The power of a lasting first impression will open doors, establish your good name and provide numerous social and professional rewards.

          Today, we have covered 6 new approaches to building a strong and memorable first impression. Which strategy was your favourite and how you intend to use it next time you meet someone new?

            References

            • Bar, M., Neta, M., & Linz, H. (2006). Very first impressions. Emotion, 6(2), 269–278. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.6.2.269

            • Gazzard Kerr, L., & Human, L. J. (2024). Like yourself, and others will follow: The role of target self-esteem in the association between being seen accurately and being liked in platonic and romantic first impressions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000521

            • Huang, X., Ivković, Z., Jiang, J. X., & Wang, I. Y. (2023). Angel investment and first impressions. Journal of Financial Economics, 149(2), 161-178. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2023.05.001 

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            About the Author

            Dr Sarah Lobegeiger de Rodriguez is a Keynote Speaker, Executive Speaking Coach, and Opera Singer who likes to play with words, sounds, and your impact.

            Her academic background is in Music Performance, Communication Science and Speech & Language Pathology. She assists executive communication clients all over the world as a communication consultant with strong expertise in CEO, Founder and Entrepreneur communication strategies.

            Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

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