How to Make a Good First Impression

Everything, even your handshake, conveys a message.

Shine - Whether you’re meeting a new coworker or a blind date, first impressions are everything. Not only are they powerful, but they are hard to shake once established. So read on to learn how to make your best first impression everywhere you go. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Wavebreakmedia LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

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Shine - Whether you’re meeting a new coworker or a blind date, first impressions are everything. Not only are they powerful, but they are hard to shake once established. So read on to learn how to make your best first impression everywhere you go. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Wavebreakmedia LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

Meet in Person - If given the choice between Skyping it in or meeting face-to-face, choose the in-person union. Why? Research shows that you’re more likely to make a positive impression that way.  (Photo: Inti St Clair/Blend Images/Corbis

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Meet in Person - If given the choice between Skyping it in or meeting face-to-face, choose the in-person union. Why? Research shows that you’re more likely to make a positive impression that way.  (Photo: Inti St Clair/Blend Images/Corbis

She’s Confident - She also knows what she’s good at and never doubts her ability to deliver. She doesn’t measure her successes against those of others—she’s only in competition with herself.  (Photo: Sean De Burca/Corbis)

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Have a Goal - What constitutes a good impression can vary from situation to situation, so take a few minutes to think about how exactly you want to be perceived. Do you want to come across as a brilliant and capable leader? As a fun, outgoing woman? As a nurturing earth mama? Focusing on the part of your personality you want to highlight will help you channel it, and will inform your other choices, such as your outfit.  (Photo: Wavebreak Media LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Sean De Burca/Corbis

Dress the Part - Experts say people make judgments within milliseconds of meeting you, based largely on how you look. So everything from your hair to your makeup to your outfit to your jewelry conveys a message — true or not — about you. Also consider the occasion. For interviews, conservative workplaces call for a dark suit. For more creative spaces, a dress that you would wear to a dinner party paired with a blazer is the way to go.   (Photo: Cavan Images/Cavan Images/Corbis)

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Dress the Part - Experts say people make judgments within milliseconds of meeting you, based largely on how you look. So everything from your hair to your makeup to your outfit to your jewelry conveys a message — true or not — about you. Also consider the occasion. For interviews, conservative workplaces call for a dark suit. For more creative spaces, a dress that you would wear to a dinner party paired with a blazer is the way to go.   (Photo: Cavan Images/Cavan Images/Corbis)

Prepare - Whether it’s your potential mother-in-law or boss, before you enter a room with the person you want to impress you should learn all you can about that person and what they represent. So know that your boss-to-be has been with the company for seven years and started as a receptionist, and that your boyfriend’s mother grew up in Birmingham and raised 10 kids. They will be flattered that you took the time to do your homework.  (Photo: Blend Images/Corbis)

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Prepare - Whether it’s your potential mother-in-law or boss, before you enter a room with the person you want to impress you should learn all you can about that person and what they represent. So know that your boss-to-be has been with the company for seven years and started as a receptionist, and that your boyfriend’s mother grew up in Birmingham and raised 10 kids. They will be flattered that you took the time to do your homework.  (Photo: Blend Images/Corbis)

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Be Early - Being punctual shows that you think they — and their time — are important, so leave early and arrive early. Plus, you’ll be in a much better mood upon arrival if you don’t have to anxiously fight traffic and worry about being late.  (Photo: John Henley/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Be Early - Being punctual shows that you think they — and their time — are important, so leave early and arrive early. Plus, you’ll be in a much better mood upon arrival if you don’t have to anxiously fight traffic and worry about being late.  (Photo: John Henley/Blend Images/Corbis)

Employ a Firm Handshake - Too weak and you look weak. Too strong and you’re scary. Too sweaty and you’re icky. For the best results, be firm and quick, and pair it with a smile and direct eye contact.  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Employ a Firm Handshake - Too weak and you look weak. Too strong and you’re scary. Too sweaty and you’re icky. For the best results, be firm and quick, and pair it with a smile and direct eye contact.  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

Make Good Eye Contact - Nothing says confidence, trustworthiness, interest and intelligence like direct eye contact. From the greeting to the goodbye, make yourself meet eyes with the players in the room.   (Photo: Rolf Bruderer/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Make Good Eye Contact - Nothing says confidence, trustworthiness, interest and intelligence like direct eye contact. From the greeting to the goodbye, make yourself meet eyes with the players in the room.   (Photo: Rolf Bruderer/Blend Images/Corbis)

Stand and Sit Up Straight - Your posture is key to conveying confidence and competence. Work on being more aware of the way you position your body as you move throughout the world.  (Photo: Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis)

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Stand and Sit Up Straight - Your posture is key to conveying confidence and competence. Work on being more aware of the way you position your body as you move throughout the world.  (Photo: Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis

Listen - Nerves have a way of turning all but the quietest of folks into motor mouths, but you must resist the urge to go on and on. People love to talk about themselves, so let the person you seek to impress talk first and often. Listening intently and asking thoughtful questions is a surefire way to endear yourself.  (Photo: Sue Barr/Corbis)

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Listen - Nerves have a way of turning all but the quietest of folks into motor mouths, but you must resist the urge to go on and on. People love to talk about themselves, so let the person you seek to impress talk first and often. Listening intently and asking thoughtful questions is a surefire way to endear yourself.  (Photo: Sue Barr/Corbis)

Use the Person’s Name - Taking the time to learn and remember someone’s name shows that you care. Repeat it after they tell you, and use it in the conversation and when you part, too.  (Photo: Ronnie Kaufman/Larry Hirshowitz/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Use the Person’s Name - Taking the time to learn and remember someone’s name shows that you care. Repeat it after they tell you, and use it in the conversation and when you part, too.  (Photo: Ronnie Kaufman/Larry Hirshowitz/Blend Images/Corbis)