First Impressions & The Importance Of Body Language

The importance of First Impressions is not to be underestimated, because we all form opinions of people when we first meet them even if we know nothing about them.

So naturally they are formed when someone meets you for the first time, as at an initial job interview. When you meet they will form their impression as they first see you, hear you and talk to you, but if their senses tell them something is wrong, your chances of getting hired will disappear.

You do have an opportunity to 'pre-sell' yourself before an interview and that's done by getting your CV or resume right as well as writing a really good covering letter for your job application. If you can start to create an interest before meeting, the first impression is tempered by foreknowledge and a desire to meet you because you have what they need.

First impressions are very strongly affected by how someone reacts to the way you are (your demeanour) and the largest part of that is what we call your 'body language'. This article which I wrote a little while back explains why your body language is so important to the way someone reacts to YOU and hence whether they have good impressions about you. This reaction could be crucial to the outcome of your interview.

Speaking Body Language

Body language is an important part of every communication which, according to at least one study, accounts for around 55% of what we are communicating. (The other constituents from the same study are the 'Way We Speak' - 38% and the 'Words We Use' - 7%) so if you wish to communicate well, then it makes sense to understand how you can (and can't) use your body to say what you mean.

• 55% is the way we act

• 38% is the way we sound

• 7% is the words we use

You can also observe the effect on the people with whom we are communicating: With careful observation, emotions may be detected from non-verbal signs. Remember that these are only indicators and not absolute certainties. Contextual clues may also be used, in particular what is being said to the person or what else is happening around then.

When a person is bored, their whole body is telling you. So if you are trying to sell to them, or persuade them to your way of thinking, don't bother (unless you are trying to bore them into submission).

A bored person looks anywhere but at the person who is talking to them. They find other things to do, from doodling on nearby paper to talking with others or staring at the ceiling. They are also likely to keep checking their watch or a wall clock.

If the person is not interested in their surroundings or what is going on, then they may become bored. The disinterest may also be feigned if they do not want you to see that they are interested. You need to watch for 'leaking' signs of readiness in these cases.

When your prospect is ready to consider your pitch, the body language may well be relaxed and open. The person seems to be unconcerned by the surroundings or even completely unaware of distractions. However there is also a distinct level of concentration, perhaps with pursed lips and an intense gaze. The chin may be resting in one or both palms.

A person who is evaluating may be starting to make an important decision. If they are considering buying from you, they may be close to the point of closure. Don't force the pace at this stage allow them to reach their own point of readiness. Their body language will let you know when it arrives as they sit up and look more directly at you.

By Peter Fisher who wrote this 'First Impressions' article, is an expert Author and Publisher and the owner of this site. He coaches and writes for people undergoing change in their work and careers.

Also in this First Impressions section:

Dress for Success
Dress for Success and Get the First Impressions Right! This is all about looking right for the job you applied and the organization you applied to, plus being seen by the hiring manager as someone who will 'fit in'.

Looking The Part
Looking the part is an essential aspect of winning a new job. There is a simple truth that says people tend to prefer others who are like themselves and if anything is very different, then they will unconsciously shy away from that person. So, if you want to get hired you need to do a little 'impression management'.

First Impressions
First Impressions are formed when someone meets you for the first time, as at an initial interview. When you meet they will form their impression as they first see you, hear you and if their senses tell them something is disagreeable, your chances of getting hired go down the pan!

Body Language
The importance of body language is often mentioned, but doesn't always get the attention it deserves; it is both the most basic, fundamental form of expression used by human beings to communicate with one another, and at the same time a part of a highly sophisticated and culturally specific system of coded signals, in which bodily and facial movement play at least as important a part as verbal utterance.

Interview Presentation Skills
This interview presentation skills article will help you work out how YOU can overcome your interview nerves. It's not something to be ashamed about because everybody suffers from interview nerves, but you can do something about it, and don't spoil the First Impressions!

Interview Body Language Tips
These interview body language tips have been created specifically to help you to interview success and go on to win more job offers. When you go to an interview, much more is going on than the interviewer asking questions and you answering them. The interviewer is looking and listening to try and work out if you are someone who will become a worthwhile addition to the organization - you should also be looking and listening to work out if the organization is right for you.

Self Confidence
Self Confidence inevitably takes a knock when you lose your job – whatever the reason.What I’m going to describe is my version of what I believe you are going through, how it affects you, how it may affect your family or loved ones and what you can do about regaining your self confidence.

Personal Attributes
Personal attributes are those qualities that make you who you are. Some of these attributes are innate and others may be something you've learned or gained from experience; more about this in my Career Changer's Guide.

What is important about them is this...

Interview Dress Tips For Women
My Interview Dress Tips come from analyzing what works best when it comes to getting the right reaction from interviewers. You want to be remembered for the right reasons connected with your suitability for the job in question, so it is important to get the visual aspect correct as well as being able to answer the interview questions.

Powerful Self Esteem
Because of conflicting viewpoints, self-esteem is a tricky little emotion to manipulate. It's important to strike a balance between modesty and greed. It takes practice to convince yourself that you are a worthwhile and deserving person, while at the same time keeping in mind that you're not the centre of the universe.

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