Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
How To Make A Good First Impression

image from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/327406

How To Make A Good First Impression

Laura Ayienga by Laura Ayienga
5 May 2020
in Business, Relationships
Reading Time: 5 mins read
22 2
0
28
SHARES
157
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

Have you ever asked someone what their first impression of you was? I always get the same answers, and most times they’re completely wrong. On one hand, I find it hilarious while on another I worry a little that it may affect my future. People always say that I seem bossy, sassy and stand-offish. I don’t know where they get this from because I’m just a shy harmless girl. Most times they’ll say that when they first met me they were scared of approaching me, and I always wonder why. It takes a lot of time for anyone to reach my core and discover my goofiness and light-heartedness.

I once did a short two-week internship at an organization, and within the second day, one of my colleagues mentioned to someone that she thought I had a bad attitude. The crazy thing is that I had not even talked to her, I had just seen her once the previous day. Yet this was enough for her to come to that conclusion. First impressions are a classic illustration of judging a book by its cover. I don’t advocate for them but because we can’t do much about them, we have to work around them.

Studies by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov reveal that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those impressions. A tenth of a second is such a short time. Before the person has even properly looked at you or heard what it is you have to say, they have already formed an impression of you.

When an interviewer calls you for an interview, most times they have already judged you based on your C.V and qualifications. The point of most face to face interviews is to see a person’s confidence and understand whether your personalities are compatible. This is why first impressions are so important, and why it bugs me that people think I’m domineering.

A first impression stays with the person for a long time. If you don’t get a chance to interact with them personally, they may just avoid you altogether. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s why you have to ensure that every time you are interacting with people for the first time you strive to make the first impression the best impression.

Here are a few ways of making a good first impression.

  1. Give a firm handshake

Handshakes affirm trust and connection. It has been said that a firm handshake transmits your underlying confidence in yourself and your abilities. When individuals feel your confidence, it helps instil trust in your words and work abilities. On the other hand, weak handshakes weaken the connection between you and the other party, and more often than not give a negative impression. A good handshake is firm but not too tight because again this gives an aggressive impression.

  1. Smile

The cliché saying that a smile is worth a thousand words has a lot of truth to it. Smiling makes you seem receptive and approachable. If you are constantly frowning or angry, you might not make the best first impression. People will mistake you for being arrogant or rude. No one wants to work with or be friends with someone who is constantly angry. That’s why you must learn to smile more so that you come off as receptive to everyone you interact with. I’m sure you’ve met people who you get scared of even moving close to for fear of a rude remark. Then there are other people who without even saying a word will lead you into believing that they are friendly and kind. If you’re trying to make a good first impression, you might want to smile more often.

  1. Be well Groomed

There’s no better analogy for this point than the one in the book “The 5 am club” by Robin Sharma. The homeless man meets two people at an event and starts to talk to them. He seems to be poor, but his words do not match what he has worn. He speaks very good English, and his words have a lot of wisdom. However, based on his dressing, the other two people dismiss him for a very long time and are confused because he seems wise and yet he doesn’t look the part. Eventually, they came to discover that he was a millionaire who had disguised himself as a millionaire. Oftentimes we judge people based on how they dress. This may not necessarily be a good thing but it happens. Someone once said that your dressing is a representation of who you are. Whether you admit it or not, there will be impressions formed on girls that wear super short dresses or those that wear suits and ties. It’s just how the world works. Therefore, if you are to make a good first impression you have to look and smell good.

  1. Be on time

For years, the phenomenon of “African timing” has been used to excuse our lack of respect for time. I know that sometimes things happen, but that’s why you have to plan. You can’t blame your lateness on traffic. This is not an excuse because if you live in Nairobi or anywhere else then you probably know the traffic levels and you need to plan with that in mind. Being on time makes a good first impression, not only in the workplace but also with relationships. It shows interest and respect for the other person and thereby builds your connection.

  5. Be confident

There are so many people who claim that they’re not confident by nature. In my opinion, the best way to gain this confidence is to fake it until you make it. No remedy will overturn your level of self-confidence in one day. Not even in one month. The best thing is to act as though you have already reached the peak and within no time it will become a part of you. Remember that thoughts become things. If you believe it enough, it becomes your reality. So believe that you are confident and you will become confident. Nobody likes to interact with people who lack personality or aren’t opinionated. That’s why you have to build your confidence. Adjust your body language. Sit and stand upright. Imitate the people who in your opinion have this trait. Accept compliments without deflecting them. By doing so, you will, without even knowing, make a very good first impression.

Going For A Job Interview? Here are 7 fashion fails to avoid

Share11Tweet7SendShare2Pin3
Previous Post

Interviews: Flaqo Has Created A Niche For Himself As A Funny Guy On Social Media. Find Out How He Does His Creative Videos

Next Post

7 Remedies To Treat A Common Cold At Home

Laura Ayienga

Laura Ayienga

My name is Laura Ayienga, a 25-year-old writer & marketer, experiencing the highs (not claiming the lows) of life. I discovered my passion for writing on this very blog back in 2019 and since then, I’ve been using it to express myself as candidly and authentically as possible.

Next Post
7 Remedies To Treat A Common Cold At Home

7 Remedies To Treat A Common Cold At Home

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Technology: Youth have embraced smartphones

Technology: Youth have embraced smartphones

19 February 2016
494
7 Accessories Every Woman Should Have In Her Wardrobe

7 Accessories Every Woman Should Have In Her Wardrobe

8 March 2021
498

Popular Stories

  • Book Review: Come As You Are By Emily Nagoski

    Book Review: Come As You Are By Emily Nagoski

    501 shares
    Share 200 Tweet 125
  • 5 Websites To Get Scholarships And Other Opportunities

    435 shares
    Share 174 Tweet 109
  • Business: Interview With Kasha’s CEO Joanna Bischel On Kenya’s First E-Commerce Platform Focused On Women’s Health

    61 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • How To Gain Weight In A Healthy Way

    903 shares
    Share 361 Tweet 226
  • 6 Ways To Cope With Pregnancy Paranoia

    66 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 17

Potentash Blog

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Explore

  • The Singlehood Series
  • From Stairs To Ramps
  • Man Around Nairobi
  • Pearls And Heels
  • Personal Finance
  • Food + Beverage
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Reviews

Get the Potentash Newsletter

  • Newsletter Archive
  • Subscribe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima