A first impression is like a headline. People are going to check you
out and decide immediately if they are interested in knowing more—so
it’s vital to make an impactful first impression at the start of every
conversation. People often relate a first impression with a face-to-face
meeting, yet initial impressions often precede in-person meetings.
Every type of communication with someone new shapes his or her overall
impression of you. Here’s how you make every first impression
memorable—in person, on the phone, via video chat or in plain old
writing…
1. In-person
Presentation is the key to a strong face to face first meeting.
Everything from appearance, body language and how you speak will affect
how you come across. You know how important it is to dress appropriately
and be well-groomed, but do you sit up straight and keep from
fidgeting? Do you make direct eye contact and exude confidence? All of
these details will factor into your impression. How you handle
conversations is extremely important. Balance being a good listener with
being an engaging speaker, and most importantly, be interested in what
the other person has to say!
People often confuse being professional with being boring or dry.
Showcase your personality, just keep it appropriate. Whether it‘s a job
interview or meeting a potential client, people are more impressed with
vibrant personalities than flat and uninteresting ones.
2. Over the phone
If you are speaking to someone you’ve never met, the entire
impression is contingent on your conversation skills. To begin, make
sure that you are speaking in the right environment. If the phone call
is scheduled, be sure to take it in a quiet place without any
distractions. If you are being called at a specific time, don’t answer
the phone with a hesitant or too-casual greeting. You already know who
is calling, so answer authoritatively. If you’re making the call, always
begin by asking the other person if it’s a good time to speak.
Organization will help make your initial phone call a success. Have a
list of questions and any other materials you need at the ready. Take
notes on the call for later reference. Being prepared will allow you to
speak confidently without “um’s” and “uh’s” derailing the conversation.
3. Through email
The subject line is often the most-neglected part of an email—don’t
disregard its importance. Work on writing a subject line that is
specific and personable. Ask yourself, “Would I want to open this
message based on the subject line alone?” Tone is also critical. Be
professional but personable. When reaching out to someone for the first
time, you want the person to get a sense of who you are. Don’t use
improper English or text message-style abbreviations. Read the message
out loud to yourself before sending it to help you catch mistakes and
let you hear how you are coming across.
4. Via video chat
Video chat first impressions combine the attributes of in-person,
phone and email interactions. As with an in-person meeting, it is
important to focus on your appearance when meeting virtually. You want
to be well-organized and conduct the meeting from a quiet spot without
distractions. Your setting will factor into how you come across. If you
are sitting at a messy desk, you might give off the impression that you
are disorganized. Look at your space from an outsider’s point of view
before the chat begins. Technology can be fickle, so always check your
connection, your speakers and your microphone before the video
conference is scheduled to begin. Give yourself adequate time to fix any
problems ahead of time so that you don’t have to struggle with it while
the other party waits.
5. Follow-up
A proper follow-up is the final component of a first impression.
Sending a thank you note or a follow-up email shows that you appreciated
the person’s time and that you’re thinking about next steps.
The best first impression is about more than being memorable. You
also want to show people that you remember them. It is two-sided, so the
strongest impact relies on a mutual appreciation for the meeting. Be
yourself, be kind and be ready to connect. Don’t forget, every
impression counts.
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