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First Impressions: 3 Bad Excuses
First Impressions: The Top 3 Attitudes Not To Have!
We all have to do it, meet people for the first time. And we all know that it only takes seconds to make a first impression – some newer studies even say a fraction of a second! So why do so many people continue to make bad impressions? Here are the top 3 attitudes I’ve heard for not taking care of their impression.
Common Excuse #1: I don’t think it’s that important. After they get to know me, they will see how great I am. My qualifications should speak for themselves.
Hmmm. Now lets think about this for a minute. If you don’t make a positive first impression, why would they even want to get to know you?
Regardless if we like it or not, people assimilate impressions with what they know. For example, If you are dressed well – I like to say “Put Together” – people will more likely think you are smart and successful. On the other side, if your eyewear, shoes, or your style in general is out of date, people will assimilate that with others that are out of touch with current business trends and innovation – which we all know businesses thrive on innovation.
I’ve interviewed many people. I’ve gotten excited because their resume was exactly what I was looking for in a candidate. However, when the person came into interview, I was immediately turned off by how they presented themselves. The person I was looking for not only needed someone that was capable of doing the job, they also had to present themselves as a trustworthy professional image for the department as well. I had to keep looking.
Common Excuse #2: I just don’t have time to think about it. I’m always in a hurry.
If you don’t take the time to think about making a good impression, why should others think you have the time to think about them or their business? Show that you respect yourself and others will know that you have the capability to respect them as well.
Before you meet others, take a few minutes to look at yourself in the mirror. Make sure your hair is not out of control, your teeth don’t have anything in them, makeup isn’t smeared, and you have your smile on! A smile instantly makes people feel comfortable.
Another thing to always do is to carry mints with you at all times. There is nothing that makes people want to run away more than bad breath! I remember an old boss from many many many years ago. He was a great guy but it was hard to be around him because he had constant halitosis. You don’t want to be remembered for that, do you?
Common Excuse #3: I’m sure I already make a good impression! I don’t even have to think about it anymore.
How do you know? Have you asked someone? If you’ve already gotten feedback in the last 6 months, great. If not, why not? Every person can uplevel themselves in some way – and should on a regular basis. Every successful business person has a mentor of some sort. It’s not like you are admitting defeat by asking! Just the opposite. You are admitting that you want to be successful and are doing something about it.
Get feedback from someone you admire, your mentor or a professional image consultant. Whomever you chose, just make sure it is someone that has a critical eye, knows the trends and can understand your audience. Don’t lose the job or sale because you made a bad first impression!
Enjoy!
To Your Prosperity,
Monica of ImageThat!
Monica Molstad Baresh is President of ImageThat!, LLC. She is a personal branding coach, business image and etiquette consultant, corporate trainer and public speaker. She is the creator of The IMAGE Success System, a simple step-by-step roadmap to increase your level of success personally and professionally. She is also the creator of The RESPECT system, a quick guide to master e-Etiquette to build your online presence and personal brand.
Monica’s works with highly motivated professionals that have the desire to uplevel themselves financially, professionally or personally. She helps them reposition their personal brand so they can easily stand out and play big to gain the competitive edge and enjoy the life they imagine.
Monica Molstad Baresh
Personal Branding, Image and Etiquette Consultant
ImageThat! Consulting, Training & Speaking
monica@imagethat.biz
(612) 990-3734