15 Ways to Make A Great First Impression Professionally (And Elsewhere)

According to a recent study of 2,000 Americans, it only takes 27 seconds to make a first impression. The results revealed that 7 out of 10 people form an impression before we even speak. Our appearance, attitude, and communication influence how others see us - and fast. With that in mind, here are 15 ways to show your professionalism in meetings or interviews to ensure people have a positive opinion of who you are.

1. Professional Attire

Properly fitted suits in solid colors without distracting patterns gives an assured yet neutral, cohesive appearance. Simple accessories create a polished look with professional clothing. Sleek men’s accessories like clean, minimalist watches and shoes and ties in simple colors or patterns are both timeless and understated and women interested in a stylish bracelet or other accessories will always win when going with simple gold chains and minimal details. While celebrating ourselves through what we wear is an important part of self expression, keeping it understated in a professional setting helps your actual self shine through more quickly.

2. Punctuality Matters

Keeping appointments and showing up on time demonstrates your commitment and ability to manage time - and is one of the fastest ways to gain trust. These are important aspects to create a positive impression on clients or network contacts. Arriving early for meetings always makes a good impression because it shows respect for others. It also allows you time to gather yourself so you’re calm and collected.

3. Respond to Others

Responding to emails, phone calls, and inquires quickly shows respect and commitment. It can make a difference in how people perceive you when you do not delay returning calls or emails. Check for messages, calls, and email promptly to avoid missing something important, and reply to those messages right away to let the senders know you value what they have to say. To keep boundaries, set certain times a day for you to do this so you’re not at the beck and call of your email - but still prompt and available.

4. Have Confidence

Sounds easy, right? But supporting your confidence in yourself and your abilities is contagious. So spend some time gassing yourself up, you deserve it and others deserve to know! Confidence makes others feel better about your knowledge, experience, and expertise. When you know your worth, you can also better support positive qualities in others so they know their worth. People will always appreciate and view you positively when you encourage them to have confidence.

5. Get Feedback

Ask people for their honest feedback on how you interact with them. This allows you to get another’s perspective on your character that may be difficult to gauge on your own, and make tweaks to improve your attitude and behavior. When you understand how others view you, you can work to ensure you are sending the right message. Just make sure you put your own sense of self first, regardless.

6. Personal Message

Communicate your personal message with both actions and words. The best way to do this is to determine what your core values are and explain how you apply them to reach your goals. How you live and act shows your values in both your personal and work environment. Determine these values and how to communicate them to others.

7. Show Kindness

Kindness is extremely important to establishing valuable relationships within your industry. Politeness is a part of kindness and puts people around you at ease. A kind word or act is a simple way to change someone’s mood or attitude.

8. Collaborate With Others

Collaboration is necessary in a group setting because it includes everyone in decision making. Encourage feedback to understand the group’s ideas, questions, and issues honestly without fear of backlash. Check your ego at the door and address each and consider options for improvement as a team to show you value individuals.

9. Develop Skills

Continually developing skills to show commitment to work and improving your abilities is both an asset to your individual world and a huge vote of esteem to the rest of the world. It demonstrates growth mentality and a willingness to do what is needed to be done to succeed. What you can do , what you are learning, and what you know make an impression because people respect those with experience and expertise. Keep up to date to know when new skills and technologies develop and don’t get stuck in your old way of doing things.

10. Body Language

Body language includes facial expressions, hand gestures, and how you stand. For instance, cross ing our arms will make us appear closed off. Instead, use a relaxed stance and keep the fidgeting to a minimum. Keep hand gestures simple, and always smile to show confidence and openness to others. Turning your shoulders away from someone makes you seem uninterested while facing them square on helps show you are paying attention.

11. Tone of Voice

Believe it or not, the way you say something is more important than what you say. That being said, the tone in your voice should match what you are saying. For example, if you compliment someone in a condescending tone, they will think you are being sarcastic (we’ve all been there at least once). Keeping your tone even shows control over your emotions and can emphasize your best intentions. Tone in written materials is just as crucial. You determine if the tone is informative, professional, persuasive, or causal simply by the way you express yourself in your writing.

12. Learn to Listen

Listening skills are valuable and one of the most underrated qualities about a person that can make an enormous difference. Try not to interrupt others when they are talking, repeat what they say, and let them know you are listening by nodding. Maintain eye contact while they are talking, and respond to their questions and what they were talking about. Pay attention to their body language, tone of voice, and what they are saying to show attentiveness.

13. Stay Prepared

Always prepare yourself for interactions with others by gathering any necessary information beforehand. You stand out when you prepare for opportunities or have knowledge about topics discussed. If you go to a networking event, learn about the people at the event both on a personal and professional level and determine how a relationship with them benefits you both.

14. Focus on Others

Make things about you others and not yourself when engaging socially, even in a professional setting. Believe it or not, but focusing on someone else as opposed to yourself and your agenda will actually help them remember you better and associate a positive feeling with you. Focus on how you can help them when talking about yourself. Ask questions and encourage them to share their thoughts to better understand them.

15. Develop Communication Skills

Good communication includes active listening, body language, kindness, and eye contact. It combines many of these to reveal your overall ability to communicate. Communication is important for making a good impression, and the more you practice, the more your skills will improve. How you interact depends on the setting and context. For example, a social gathering with friends differs from a meeting with clients. How you talk and what you talk about are different.

Remember, the more informed you are, the better impression you will make on others. Always smile, show kindness, actively listen, give feedback when necessary, and use a friendly tone. Treat people with the same respect, kindness, and attentiveness you want them to show you and you’ll create a great first impression.