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How to Make A First Impression that Rocks!
Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA,
completed a study in 1971 that determined that there are basically
three elements in any face-to-face communication: words, tone of
voice and body language. People’s feelings toward you are based
on these three areas. What would you guess is the percentage that
each of these elements carries?
The study showed that whether or not someone likes or dislikes you
has little to do with what you say but more how you say it. Words
account for 7%, tone of voice accounts for 38%, and body language
accounts for 55% of whether or not they like you. These statistics
have been used over and over in speeches on communication
techniques because most people are surprised to learn that
whether or not they will be liked or disliked is based 93% on their
non-verbal communication.
Your eye contact, your facial expressions, the position of your head,
arms and body – these are all indicators of your attitude and who
you are. If you cannot look someone in the eye, they wonder what it
is you are hiding. A smile is the universal symbol of warmth and
kindness. It is very hard to be mean, rude or disinterested in
someone who is smiling at you. If your shoulders are back and your
head is straight you exude confidence. People will want to know who
you are and what you have to say. Nod your head. It shows that you
are attentive, in agreement and listening. Keep you hands in sight –
out of your pockets but not fidgeting with hair or jewelry.
If someone says “I agree with you,” and they are crossing their arms
and pursing their lips from side to side with their head cocked back
do you believe them? Of course not. If you are waiting in a reception
area for an interview or to meet with a potential customer, you know
that their first impression will be what they see when they open the
door to call you in. Do you want to be slouched over fiddling with your
shoe buckle? Or do you want to be sitting up straight reading over
your materials or the daily newspaper – both giving an indication of
intelligence.
Eye contact should be maintained about 60% of the time. During the
other times, look at their brow or their mouth. Ask yourself, “Am I
really interested in what she has to say?” If not, then find a way to be
interested. Everyone has had at least one interesting experience,
job, family situation, or career move. There is always something to
learn from anyone.
Always be on time. Anything less than on time is unprofessional. Do
not be more than five minutes early for anything.
Remember that email is a common form of communication that
some people have become very lax in using. Do not say anything in
an email that you would not say in person. Watch your tone. Start
every email with a salutation line – Dear Sally. And end every email
with a signature box that helps brand who you are – John Mark
Simpson followed on the next line by a tag line on who you are –
Computer Problem Solver followed on the next lines by your contact
information.
Your phone message will say a lot about you. Have it be in your
voice and not a recording so that callers know they have the right
number. Make sure the message is polite, direct, and businesslike.
EXAMPLE: "Hello, this is (your name or phone number). I am sorry I
am not available to take your call right now. Please leave your name,
telephone number, a brief message, and the best time to reach you.
I will get back to you as soon as possible." Return telephone calls
promptly. Do not have music playing in the background or let
children record the greeting.
A good handshake is vital in business. It is appropriate to shake
someone’s hand when you first meet them and again when you
leave. Your handshake will tell a lot about who you are so practice it
to get it right.
Rule Break: If you are a woman, do not wait for a man to offer a
handshake first. If you want to start speaking with someone,
introduce yourself. Read their nametag, offer a handshake and say
something like, “Hi, Jeffrey Gibson. Please allow me to introduce
myself. I am Suzy Robinson. And what is it that you do for Fisher
Company?”
The Four “Yeses” of a Good Handshake:
1. Are you standing?
2. Are you smiling? She will like that you like her.
3. Do you know what color his eyes are? He will see your interest,
integrity and honesty in good eye contact.
4. Is your grip firm enough to catch a can of corn? (Not a fast pitch or
a squid)
If you are introducing two people, make sure you know who the
more “important” person is. Once you have determined this, all you
have to remember is to say that person’s name first in the
introduction. If your colleague is James Montana and the customer
is Heather Simpson you would say, “Heather Simpson I would like
to introduce you to my partner James Montana.” The customer is
always the most important.
Smooth transitions in introductions will help to spark casual
conversation. Follow an introduction with a comment about each
person so that they will know why they are being introduced. Your
goal within the first few minutes of meeting or introducing people is
to make them feel comfortable and to put them at ease so they will
want to do business with you. Start now!
Get Mary Lee’s new FREE e-book “Make Your Wheel of Fortune
Spin on Balance" by clicking here.
Follow Mary Lee's career tips on Twitter.com at StartingOverNow.
For the FREE Worksheets: “Does Your Resume Look Weathered?”
and “Six Ways to Know if This is the Right Company for Me” go to:
http://www.startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html
Mary Lee Gannon is a career advice expert who went from being a
stay-at-home mother with four children to divorce, poverty and then
on to become a newspaper reporter, trade association executive
director, public relations consultant, and foundation president and
CEO. View Mary Lee’s free career tips, worksheets and Blog on her
website at www.startingovernow.com. Contact Mary Lee at
info@startingovernow.com.
Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA,
completed a study in 1971 that determined that there are basically
three elements in any face-to-face communication: words, tone of
voice and body language. People’s feelings toward you are based
on these three areas. What would you guess is the percentage that
each of these elements carries?
The study showed that whether or not someone likes or dislikes you
has little to do with what you say but more how you say it. Words
account for 7%, tone of voice accounts for 38%, and body language
accounts for 55% of whether or not they like you. These statistics
have been used over and over in speeches on communication
techniques because most people are surprised to learn that
whether or not they will be liked or disliked is based 93% on their
non-verbal communication.
Your eye contact, your facial expressions, the position of your head,
arms and body – these are all indicators of your attitude and who
you are. If you cannot look someone in the eye, they wonder what it
is you are hiding. A smile is the universal symbol of warmth and
kindness. It is very hard to be mean, rude or disinterested in
someone who is smiling at you. If your shoulders are back and your
head is straight you exude confidence. People will want to know who
you are and what you have to say. Nod your head. It shows that you
are attentive, in agreement and listening. Keep you hands in sight –
out of your pockets but not fidgeting with hair or jewelry.
If someone says “I agree with you,” and they are crossing their arms
and pursing their lips from side to side with their head cocked back
do you believe them? Of course not. If you are waiting in a reception
area for an interview or to meet with a potential customer, you know
that their first impression will be what they see when they open the
door to call you in. Do you want to be slouched over fiddling with your
shoe buckle? Or do you want to be sitting up straight reading over
your materials or the daily newspaper – both giving an indication of
intelligence.
Eye contact should be maintained about 60% of the time. During the
other times, look at their brow or their mouth. Ask yourself, “Am I
really interested in what she has to say?” If not, then find a way to be
interested. Everyone has had at least one interesting experience,
job, family situation, or career move. There is always something to
learn from anyone.
Always be on time. Anything less than on time is unprofessional. Do
not be more than five minutes early for anything.
Remember that email is a common form of communication that
some people have become very lax in using. Do not say anything in
an email that you would not say in person. Watch your tone. Start
every email with a salutation line – Dear Sally. And end every email
with a signature box that helps brand who you are – John Mark
Simpson followed on the next line by a tag line on who you are –
Computer Problem Solver followed on the next lines by your contact
information.
Your phone message will say a lot about you. Have it be in your
voice and not a recording so that callers know they have the right
number. Make sure the message is polite, direct, and businesslike.
EXAMPLE: "Hello, this is (your name or phone number). I am sorry I
am not available to take your call right now. Please leave your name,
telephone number, a brief message, and the best time to reach you.
I will get back to you as soon as possible." Return telephone calls
promptly. Do not have music playing in the background or let
children record the greeting.
A good handshake is vital in business. It is appropriate to shake
someone’s hand when you first meet them and again when you
leave. Your handshake will tell a lot about who you are so practice it
to get it right.
Rule Break: If you are a woman, do not wait for a man to offer a
handshake first. If you want to start speaking with someone,
introduce yourself. Read their nametag, offer a handshake and say
something like, “Hi, Jeffrey Gibson. Please allow me to introduce
myself. I am Suzy Robinson. And what is it that you do for Fisher
Company?”
The Four “Yeses” of a Good Handshake:
1. Are you standing?
2. Are you smiling? She will like that you like her.
3. Do you know what color his eyes are? He will see your interest,
integrity and honesty in good eye contact.
4. Is your grip firm enough to catch a can of corn? (Not a fast pitch or
a squid)
If you are introducing two people, make sure you know who the
more “important” person is. Once you have determined this, all you
have to remember is to say that person’s name first in the
introduction. If your colleague is James Montana and the customer
is Heather Simpson you would say, “Heather Simpson I would like
to introduce you to my partner James Montana.” The customer is
always the most important.
Smooth transitions in introductions will help to spark casual
conversation. Follow an introduction with a comment about each
person so that they will know why they are being introduced. Your
goal within the first few minutes of meeting or introducing people is
to make them feel comfortable and to put them at ease so they will
want to do business with you. Start now!
Get Mary Lee’s new FREE e-book “Make Your Wheel of Fortune
Spin on Balance" by clicking here.
Follow Mary Lee's career tips on Twitter.com at StartingOverNow.
For the FREE Worksheets: “Does Your Resume Look Weathered?”
and “Six Ways to Know if This is the Right Company for Me” go to:
http://www.startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html
Mary Lee Gannon is a career advice expert who went from being a
stay-at-home mother with four children to divorce, poverty and then
on to become a newspaper reporter, trade association executive
director, public relations consultant, and foundation president and
CEO. View Mary Lee’s free career tips, worksheets and Blog on her
website at www.startingovernow.com. Contact Mary Lee at
info@startingovernow.com.
StartingOverNow.com
Articles
StartingOverNow.com
Articles
FREE e-book.
Get Mary Lee's FREE
e-book "Make Your
Wheel of Fortune
Spin on Balance" by
clicking here. Mary Lee
Gannon's work as a
newspaper reporter,
trade association
executive director,
public relations
consultant,
entrepreneur, and
hospital foundation
president and CEO are
the basis for her free
e-newsletter with tips on
"Starting Over."
Get Mary Lee's FREE
e-book "Make Your
Wheel of Fortune
Spin on Balance" by
clicking here. Mary Lee
Gannon's work as a
newspaper reporter,
trade association
executive director,
public relations
consultant,
entrepreneur, and
hospital foundation
president and CEO are
the basis for her free
e-newsletter with tips on
"Starting Over."
People who use the
FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
Mary Lee Gannon's
Book "Starting Over"
will be released in
November of 2009.
Look for it in stores or
order it from
Amazon.com.
Book "Starting Over"
will be released in
November of 2009.
Look for it in stores or
order it from
Amazon.com.
Follow Mary Lee's tips
and information on these
Social Networking sites:
and information on these
Social Networking sites:
Turnaround Solutions for People & Organizations
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
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FREE Resources
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
| Mary Lee Gannon is interviewed on Mind Your BIZness |
Listen to Mary
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Get the FREE e-Book "Make Your
Wheel of Fortune Spin on Balance"
and the Starting Over Now FREE
e-Newsletter. Start now!
Wheel of Fortune Spin on Balance"
and the Starting Over Now FREE
e-Newsletter. Start now!
StartingOverNow.com
Executive Leadership Coaching - Turnaround Solutions for People and Organizations
Executive Leadership Coaching - Turnaround Solutions for People and Organizations