Failed to make a good impression on people in the past? While it may be hard not to lose your self-confidence, it is not worth putting your life on hold or avoid meeting new people. But these 7 fail-proof ways will make a good impression on others.
1. Start a conversation in an elevator
While this may seem like an awkward situation, make it a point to start a conversation in an elevator or when taking the stairs. If heading for the office, this is a great opportunity to present a brief version of your résumé. Restrict yourself to 3 to 4 sentences. Conducting a conversation in a non-formal setting will make you more adaptable to circumstances.
2. Make yourself aware of the 3 types of handshakes
Make sure you know about the three types of handshake:
• Shaking someone's hand from above is a sign of power.
• Placing your hand palm upward is a sign of subservience.
• Hands that are on equal level signify that you see another as an equal.
3. Mix business relationships with your personal life
Find a good balance between your professional life and your personal life. Restricting your dialogue to your personal life will risk you seeming unprofessional. While talking too much about your professional life may seem a little monotonous. Be sure to add something personal to create a long-lasting impression.
4. Share warmth
From our younger years, we're conditioned to associate warmth with trust. If you suffer from cold hands, however, warm yourself up with a cup of coffee or by using a hand dryer, enabling you to shake hands and literally spread warmth.
5. Don’t be afraid to show your drawbacks
We all want to be highly regarded, but flooding a conversation with gloating about your uniqueness may put others off. Make it a point to be authentic, and don't be afraid to be wrong or make mistakes.
6. Practice for an upcoming meeting
Is it your first time meeting with somebody? Try to create a dialogue that you would expect to be engaged in. If you're uncertain about who you're going to meet, prepare a couple of questions you could ask, and maybe a short description about yourself, much as an actor would when playing a movie.
7. Work on your image
What image do you want to adopt when meeting new people? Aim to show that you have a sense of style. This will help you create an impression of self-confidence and independence.
