You know the old saying. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And that’s true in all aspects of life. Whenever you make a new friend, go on a first date, start a new job, meet a new client or walk into a job interview your first impression can make the difference between success and failure. And that makes it a worthy investment for all sorts of reasons. And we’re not just (or necessarily) talking about monetary investment, but an investment of your time and effort as well as finances.
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Here, we’ll look at some tips for investing in your first impression.
Project an image of success without breaking the bank
Turning up in a nice car, wearing designer clothes and rocking beautiful designer jewelry or watches can play a big part in making that all-important first impression. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. There are lots of ways to save money on designer clothes (finding last season’s pre-loved goodies on eBay) or jewelry and watches. For instance, check out how much you can save on a used Rolex for sale. They come at a fraction of the cost of their new counterparts and have flexible and affordable financing options. Likewise, you may find that leasing a vehicle is more cost-effective than buying. Plus, you know you’ll be getting a brand new one every few years without forking out on a hefty deposit.
Invest in your health
No matter whom you’re trying to impress, you want to show that you can take care of yourself and that you care about your physical health and wellbeing. As such, it’s important to make sure that you are well-rested (easier said than done, I know), your skin is exfoliated and moisturized, your hair has been washed, dried and styled and that your clothes are freshly laundered, ironed, spotless and fresh-smelling. Good health and self-care are appealing in colleagues, friends and potential partners.
Do your homework
Making a big impression isn’t just about expensive bells and whistles. It’s about showing the other party that you’ve taken the time to learn about them and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm. Whether that means getting to really know someone’s Tinder profile or researching the inner workings of their business the net result for you is the same.
Have a clear idea of how you want the meeting to end
Believe it or not, a first date, a job interview and a meeting with a prospective client all have a similar endgame. You want to make a positive impression, you want to be remembered, but you also want to assert yourself over the situation and show that you are personable but not passive, assertive but not aggressive.
This is easier to achieve when you have a clear idea of how you want the meeting to end. Establish parameters for the meeting and how you will be able to keep it within your control. Have a few little stories or anecdotes on hand to help the other person get to know you better or have some key facts and stats in mind to impress them.
Okay, so maybe that last one doesn’t apply to dates so much.
