What Not To Do
- Avoid discussing politics and religion as many people have strong feelings about these topics and if your opinion differs from theirs, an unpleasant argument could ensue.
- Tasteless jokes, especially those which target a specific gender, cultural group or sensitive topic, are not funny and may create legal difficulties for you and your employer.
- Never bad mouth a current or past employer, or engage in malicious gossip about co-workers.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
- Be on time.
- Dress appropriately for an occasion.
- Address everyone respectfully, such as by their last name.
- Maintain eye contact, but do not stare.
- Speak clearly, confidently, and do not rush through your thoughts or sentences.
- Offer a firm handshake.
- Language. “Please,” “Thank You,” and “You’re Welcome,” demonstrate to others that you value their effort, thought, and/or generosity.
- Names. Always address others in business by their title (Mr., Mrs., or Ms.) and their last name, unless they request you use a given name or nickname.
- Attire and Dress. The way a person dresses can demonstrate their respect for whoever they are meeting.
- Eye Contact. Most people believe that those who do not make eye contact are lying or avoiding something, or that they lack the confidence to interact effectively with other people.
- Speaking. A clear, well-modulated speaking voice is an important social tool, and contributes to the ease of communication and a good first impression.
- Handshake. While the handshake should be firm, too much pressure shows a desire to dominate and can be a negative signal.
Smiling is an important social cue, and that other people will respond to smiles on both a conscious and subliminal level.
Behavior which might be considered acceptable or even unimpeachable in the U.S. may be considered offensive by people with different social rules.
RELATED IDEAS
You’ve got a lot to pack into those seven seconds to make your impression a positive one.
In less than one-tenth of a second of seeing someone for the first time, our brain processes information about the person’s face—which leads to quick conclusions about a new acquaintance’s qualities, including trustworthiness, competency, friendliness, honesty and morality.
Thin-slicing is when we take a mental snapshot of someone and guess their competence, confidence and likability in less than a second.
First Impressions: 8 Science Backed Strategies To Make a Lasting Impression
scienceofpeople.com
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