In this post:
- First impressions go a long way
- Why first impressions are so important
- Are first impressions accurate?
- How to make a great first impression
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“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
-Will Rogers
First impressions are everything, or so we’re told. Do they actually matter, though? To an extent, yes.
First impressions can go a long way in your interactions with others, and research has continued to highlight why first impressions matter so much.
Why first impressions are so important
Research has continued to show that we are likely to make decisions about others from the first few seconds to first several minutes of seeing and/or meeting them. While this may seem a little shallow for humans to do, it’s actually an evolutionary trait that our ancestors passed on to us.
Humans are genetically wired to evaluate someone or something almost immediately to determine whether they’re a threat or not. While things have changed quite a bit since our predecessors, we still intuitively make snap judgments when we meet others to see if they’re a friend or foe.
Quick assessments of others can often provide valuable insights. However, you might be wondering, “How long does it take to make a first impression?”
When we assess someone, we look for particular qualities, such as honesty, likeability, and competence within just a fraction of a second after looking at their face. In fact, out of all the traits studied, it has been found that people judge for trustworthiness the quickest in about 100 milliseconds. Though a single word might not be exchanged between you and whoever you’re looking at, this quick response to judge others is an intuitive reaction. However, this doesn’t mean that all first impressions are necessarily accurate.
Are first impressions accurate?
Research has shown that while first impressions are reliable to an extent, they’re not entirely effective in judging a person’s whole character or personality. However, a study at UC Berkeley found that first impressions can indeed be effective in determining whether a person is genetically inclined to be compassionate, kind or trustworthy. But beyond this quick judgment of whether someone is likely to display positive or empathetic behaviors towards us, first impressions should be checked with both thought and reason, and thus shouldn’t be the sole basis for which we evaluate someone.
How to make a great first impression
Since we now know why first impressions matter so much, particularly when it comes to others evaluating how trustworthy we are, there are a few things you can do to make a solid impression when you meet others. Read on to find out what you can do to make a great first impression with everyone you come across.
1. Make eye contact. Looking others in the eye when you meet and/or speak to them conveys honesty and confidence. It also signals to the other that you’re interested in what they’re saying, making them feel both valued and appreciated.
2. Smile. How you express yourself is crucial to making a good first impression, and a smile is the perfect expression for radiating positivity and confidence. In fact, 48% of all Americans believe that out of all the features that “stick” with them after meeting someone, a person’s smile is the most memorable. Additionally, if you’re not feeling super confident, physically smiling can help to trick your mind into feeling happier and more confident.
3. Dress smartly. While you don’t need to look super glamorous to make a great first impression, having a polished look can go far in how others see you. Many studies have shown time and again that dressing can indeed influence how others perceive you, and can even augment your own confidence so that you feel and look the part.
4. Speak calmly and clearly. Another way to exude confidence and make a great first impression is to speak both with ease and clarity. If people think you’re too quiet or you don’t speak clearly enough, they may confuse this for shyness or incompetence. Conversely if you’re too loud, they’ll potentially think you’re domineering and/or demanding.
5. Be firm, but not too firm. You’ve probably heard that a firm handshake is essential to establishing a solid first impression. Indeed, studies have found that a firm handshake correlates with positive traits such as extraversion and positivity. However, be careful to not come off as dominant by being too firm. Being too firm can put others on the defensive.
6. Use body language. When it comes to meeting others, humans are psychologically wired to instinctively mirror each other’s body language (cool, huh?). Have you ever caught yourself yawning once you saw someone else yawn? Or smiled because someone else smiled at you? There’s actually a neuron that correlates with a portion of the brain that both recognizes and reads facial expressions; this is what causes humans to “mirror” each other’s behaviors. Studies have also shown that people who go through the same emotions are likely to mutually trust and understand one another. So the next time you meet someone new, hold yourself confidently, smile, and use your body language to your advantage. Not only will give off positive energy, but the mirroring effect will unconsciously signal to others that you both have something in common.
