"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Truer words were never spoken. Oftentimes, first impressions determine whether you will even get to make a second impression.
Psychology Today magazine gives a few pointers for getting off to a good start when you're just meeting someone.
When you're having a conversation with someone you're meeting for the first time, you should encourage the other person to talk about him- or herself instead of trying to make yourself the center of attention. For example, the person you're conversing with is telling you about a trip he or she just took, and that brings to mind a trip when you got terrible service. You think it's a great story, but experts warn that you should think before you open your mouth to share such anecdotes. When you meet someone, you don't know what kind of impression this type of story will leave.
What if you are meeting someone for the first time when you are in a bad mood? Experts suggest you fake your way through the experience. But isn't it better to be honest and be yourself? No, they say, because when you are first meeting someone, instead of seeing this as just a passing mood for you, the person may incorrectly conclude that you tend to be a negative person. See if you can find something positive to talk about. If not, apologize for your temporary trouble and hope the other person will give you the benefit of the doubt.
First impressions never count more than during a job interview. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 2,700 hiring managers uncovered some common mistakes — and a few humorous stories.
Asked what kind of no-nos they'd witnessed during interviews, the hiring managers named these blunders:
• Inappropriate attire.
• Lack of interest.