Ways to Avoid Making a Bad First Impression

First of all, dress to impress. How you look is extremely important when making a positive first impression. Remember to always dress suitable for the occasion. Never show too much skin unless you are interviewing for a position as a pole dancer. Ensure that there are no loose threads hanging off your sleeve or any hole or smudge on your clothing, press your suit the night before, iron out all wrinkles from your collar, check for rips in your stockings, shine your shoes and so on. If you’re not sure about what to wear, ask someone if there’s a dress code that needs to be followed.

Besides, practice your personal hygiene. Put on a perfectly pressed suit is not going to do you any good if you have body odor smell, have dirt under your nails or look like you have never been acquainted with a comb. Personal hygiene plays a very important role in ensuring that you impress the person you are meeting for the first time. Take a good shower and brush or comb yourself beforehand. Boys, make sure that you trim your nails, brush your hair, put on deodorant, clean socks and tuck in your shirt. Ladies should also remember not to go overboard with the makeup, jewelry and perfume.

Next, mind your words. Watch your language as poor grammar, cussing, racist slurs, bigoted remarks and uncouth jokes are no allowed in an interview, first date or important meeting and also in our daily life. Watch what you say and do not let your enthusiasm get the better of you. It is fine to be yourself, but try not to offend anyone.

Moreover, hide your mobile phone. Nowadays, people are so rely to their phones that they do not even realize how rude it can be. If you are meeting someone for the first time, put your phone away and focus all of your attention on this individual. If you are trying to make a positive impression, then doing nothing on your phone, even if it is just glancing at the screen to check the time, may be deemed as rude.

Last but not least, having eye contact with the people you are talking to also avoid a bad first impression. By looking to someone when you are talking or listening others talking, they can feel your sincere and also indicate our respectable attitude. Non-verbal communication is just as important as the verbal form when making a good first impression. We can also express our confidence by holding eye contact when you introduce yourself.