Leaving a Positive Impression

Leaving a positive impression

If you succeeded in leaving a positive first impression your chance of getting a job will become higher, your social relations will improve and people will admire you.

In 2knowmyself I avoid using vague advices like “Be confident” or “Be a good listener” and these commonly heard phrases but instead you will find effective and practical advices that are backed by Deep psychological principles. If you followed these advices the first impression you will leave will be 99% of the time positive.

I didn’t say 100% of the time because sometimes the impression people form of you depends on their own past experience!! For example if you saw someone who looks just like your arrogant boss you will tend to think of him as arrogant even if he was not. (for more information checkout this article)

The Psychology of Impression Formation

A person needs about 5 to 10 seconds to form an impression of someone else!! And then he may need another 10 minutes to confirm his judgment. So if you made a good use of the first five seconds then you are almost more than 90% done in leaving a positve impression. I know you may be thinking that the 5 or 10 seconds are very short and that nothing much can be done in them but if you read the following section you will discover that lots of things take place in these five seconds but you didn’t use to notice them.

How to Leave a Positive Impression

The first thing you can do is proper eye contact. Proper Eye contact shows respect,interest and that you are not shy. Proper eye contact means that the eye contact should be around 70% to 80% of the time.
Another thing that happens in the first few seconds is the handshake, a firm handshake combined with proper eye contact leaves the impression that you are a confident person. people who don't shake hands in a firm way will most likely leave the impression that they are not confident. (see the handshake psychology for more information).
If you did the previous two points you will appear to be confident but in the same time you may appear to be a little cold and that’s why you need to add a smile on your face. This smile will not only make the other person think that you have got a sense of humor but he will also feel more comfortable in dealing with you
Sit with your back straight and your shoulders stretched. A straight back leaves the impression that you are confident happy or interested.(see watch your back for more information on this topic) Never ever cross your legs or fold your armswhen sitting because this leaves the impression that you are not that comfortable or even afraid. Don't place an object like a bag or a file between you and the interviewer because this leaves the same impression that folding your arms leaves
if you felt like scratching your nose do not do it because this shows that you are negative evaluating something, after all your emotions are private and you shouldn't let anyone know what are you thinking about unless you want that
If you can wear blue clothes then do it, in the psychology of colors blue gives the impression of loyalty and honesty, wearing blue will leave an unconscious impression in the mind of other people that you are loyal and honest.