Did you know that within the first 7-17 seconds of seeing someone, a decision is made? Whether this instant reaction is positive or negative, a decision about you has been made and believe it or not, this can have a long-lasting impact on your career.
So, how do you make yourself memorable within the first 7-17 seconds of meeting someone? How do you create a lasting connection that could land you the job? Essentially, how do you personally brand yourself to show that you are the person they want? Start with these few tips and tricks:
Eye contact
Let’s not go overboard with the eye contact- we’re not trying to play the staring contest and we’re not trying to avoid eye contact either. Make sure when you first meet someone, you give them direct eye contact and show them that you are confident in who you are.
Smile
Hold your head up- sorry phone, we’re gonna have to take our eyes away from you for a second- and with that steady eye contact, smile a genuine smile. This communicates to the person you’re meeting that you are open and willing to listen and introduce yourself.
Handshake
In case you didn’t know it, a handshake is one of the best ways to show that you are in control of yourself and your confidence. You can show someone that you are confident by simply grabbing hold of their hand, firmly shaking it (but don’t grab it too tight- we don’t want to hurt anyone!), and establishing the trust.
Your clothing
What you wear says a lot about you. How many times have you looked at someone and thought, “What in the world are they wearing?” or “I love that shirt!”? Raise your hand? Yeah, me too. See, your wardrobe is part of your packaging. By dressing for success, you are showing that you are stylish, but also professional.
Scent
Let’s face it, we’ve all faced someone whose had the worst breath and it feels like it’s lingering with you forever. When it comes to working with your clients, or even meeting for that job interview, make sure your scent is one that isn’t overwhelming. This means, fresh breath, not too strong of a perfume or cologne, and that you’re fresh.
On-Time
Ever heard of the saying that “10 minutes (or more) early is on-time”? That’s because time is non-refundable. You can’t get that time back. You must be on-time for everything. Don’t be the friend who is always late- be consistent and give the the client, interview, etc. the time they deserve!
Attitude
Let’s excel with everything we do- but first, you need to know that your attitude is what’s going to determine your altitude. You’re going to be judged on everything that’s already listed, but your attitude is a MAJOR way for people to see who you truly are. Being positive and proactively looking for the solution in a situation shows that you’re willing to have people communicate with you.
