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Everyone works tirelessly to make the best first impression whether it is at a job interview, during a first date, on the first day of school, or at a job.
Also check out: 5 Easy Ways to Make the Best First Impression
Much thought and effort go into putting your best foot and face forward. Consciously or unconsciously, these efforts are often a result of your perception of others and what you assume to be their expectations of you or their needs especially when it comes to dating.
How
you present yourself at a first meeting could easily be a false impression of yourself.
Driven by the need to impress the person you are meeting or an interview panel;
you might transform into whom they want you to be but just for that first encounter.
Nonetheless, even as you work hard on your first impression their perception of
you might also be influenced by other issues and their unconscious bias.
What then can you do to avoid creating a false
impression?
1. Be
Yourself
It
sounds easier said than done. You might be thinking that being yourself might
cost you that opportunity but not being yourself will cost you even more in the
long run. Everyone has the best version of themselves. This is what you present
during your first encounter with someone. Stick to your personality and avoid camouflaging
to please another person.
2. Avoid
exaggeration
If
you read many job advertisements, they also have a disclaimer that, ‘canvassing
will lead to automatic disqualification.’ However, people continue to
overstretch the truth to impress hiring managers. Canvassing is not always a
complete lie but an exaggeration of the truth. You might be able to fool a
hiring manager but once you get that position, your performance will be weighed
and measured against what you claimed to have achieved.
In
this case, try to be modest but confident in presenting your achievements. No matter
how small it may appear own it and be proud. This will make a better first and
lasting impression.
3. Listen
Actively
Often
when listening to others you are likely to filter what others are saying to fit
into what you think they want. In so doing, you tend to answer questions not
asked or say things that are in discord with the conversation. As you listen, try
to echo what they have asked before responding. This will help you understand
what they need to know and answer honestly. This way, you are likely to present
a true picture of yourself.
4. Be
human
Because
of the need to impress, people are likely to appear very mechanical, just
giving the best responses and starting the perfect conversations. There is
nothing wrong with this provided it flows naturally. The most important thing
is to establish a connection and show your character.
5. Be
present
Being
present means that you are conscious of your environment and the conversation. If
you are on a date, you will better connect with the person by seeing them for whom
they are at that moment without anticipating their expectations of you.
As
for an interview, you will be able to appreciate that opportunity as a chance
to demonstrate your capabilities without having an obsession to over-impress.
It
is worth noting that, making a proper first impression might be nerve-racking.
You can easily fall into the trap of misrepresenting yourself. With the tips
discussed above, you will be able to properly package yourself and put up a
lasting impression. Give it a try today!
You can also reach out to us for counseling, coaching, and life skills training services.
Related Article:
What is Self-identity and Why Is It Important?
Reference
Parker, S. (2014) Sonya
Parker Quotes. Available at: http://www.sonyaparker.com/2014/02/almost-everyone-will-make-good-first.html
(Accessed: 26 October 2022).
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