how to make a good first impression essay

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How to Make a Great First Impression

• Rebecca Knight

Prepare talking points ahead of time.

The saying “You only have one chance to make a first impression” holds true in many situations, from job interviews to sales calls. How can you make sure that you start off on the right foot in any of these scenarios? What should you actually say? And what’s the best way to follow up?

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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First Impressions: Everything You Need to Make a Good Introduction

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

Jordi Salas/Moment/Getty

How to Make a Good First Impression

• Signs of a Good Impression
• Why It Matters
• Overcoming a Bad Impression

First impressions are the initial opinions that people form the first time they meet another person. Such judgments occur very quickly and are based on the immediate, limited information that is available.

The first impressions people form are often based on immediate observations about characteristics, such as how others look, how they act, what they say, and their general attitude. However, people also bring their own past experiences, expectations, biases , and misapprehensions to the situations when forming impressions.

While first impressions play an important role in how people feel about others, how they treat them, and the future development of the relationship, such perceptions can be biased and inaccurate.

Because first impressions can be wrong, it is important to remember that you should look at other information beyond your initial perceptions when you are making judgments about other people.

This article discusses what you can do to make a good first impression and how to gauge whether or not you have succeeded. It also offers tips for what you can do to help overcome a bad first impression.

Making a good first impression is important, particularly in certain situations. If you are trying to make a good impression on other people, there are some strategies that can help.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

Nonverbal signals can convey a great deal of information, so it is important to make sure that your body language reinforces the impression you are trying to make.

Maintain an open posture and make sure you keep your body angled toward the other person. Sit or stand straight and keep your arms at your sides and your legs straight. Crossing your arms or legs can seem closed off or even defensive.

Watch Your Expressions

In addition to using good body language, be sure to watch how you are responding with your facial expressions. Smiling , for example, can help convey warmth and genuine interest.  

If you are feeling tense, such as during a job interview or while speaking in public, try to maintain a relaxed expression. Researchers have found that people perceive people with happy expressions as more trustworthy.

Dress Appropriately

Appearance, including how you dress, can help convey information about who you are to others. If you are dressed correctly for the occasion, it may help people form a good impression of you.

This doesn't mean that you can't express yourself through your appearance, but it is important to consider how you want to be perceived. Choose clothing that looks neat, is suited to the occasion, and helps you feel comfortable and confident when meeting new people.

Different situations have different expectations. A job interview would necessitate a more formal, professional appearance, whereas meeting a new friend for coffee would involve more casual dress.

Consider Your Words

When speaking to others, focus on using language that is polite, respectful, and non-judgmental. While there are certain opinions or subjects you might feel comfortable discussing with people who already know you well, it is best to try to be considerate of other people's feelings and backgrounds when you are first introduced.

Knowing how to make small talk can be helpful. Neutral topics such as the weather, hobbies, sports, travel, and food can be great icebreakers. Just be sure to avoid critical or controversial opinions, such as trash-talking the other person's favorite sports team.

Instead, try asking open-ended questions about the other person, such as what they are reading or what they enjoy doing in their free time. It can be a great way to convey genuine interest and help the other person form the impression that you are attentive and genuine.

Show Interest in Others

When you are speaking to someone new, practice active listening. Be genuinely interested in what they have to say and make sure that you are listening to their responses.

Focus on the other person is also a great strategy if you are feeling anxious about meeting new people. By concentrating on the other person, you're less likely to focus on your own nervousness.

If you are nervous on a first date, for example, focus on the other person. Express interest in what they have to say and ask questions in a way that feels natural (and not like an interrogation or job interview).

How to Know If You’ve Made a Good First Impression

It isn't always easy or even possible to tell if you've made a good first impression on others. However, there are clues that you can watch for that might provide a bit of insight into what the other person is thinking and feeling:

• Positive feedback : In some cases, people might offer direct feedback about how they are feeling about your meeting. A job interviewer, for example, might tell a job candidate that they are exactly right for the role or indicate that they are impressed by the interviewee's credentials.
• Positive nonverbal signals : Body language that conveys warmth, comfort, and interest is always a good sign. If your conversation partner seems like they enjoy talking to you, it is a good sign that they are forming a positive first impression.
• Further interest : If the other person follows up and contacts you again after your initial meeting, you probably made a good first impression. For example, if you give a potential romantic partner your phone number and they follow up with a text or phone call, it means they were impressed enough to express interest in meeting again.
• Interest in socializing : If you've made a good first impression, the other person might reach out about getting together again. Or they might invite you to participate in some type of activity, such as another date or a potential work project.

Why First Impressions Are Important

People are evolutionarily wired to make snap judgments and quick decisions about others. These initial impressions may be based on very limited information, but they can affect how people see each other, set the tone for future interactions, and leave a lasting mark on how people view one another.

Initial Impressions Affect Other Assumptions

A phenomenon known as the halo effect can also impact people's impressions. If they perceive certain good qualities about you (like that you are nice, professional, and quick-witted), they are more likely to attribute other good qualities to you as well.

First Impressions Affect Future Interactions

Such impressions can have a significant impact in many ways. In the workplace, first impressions can play a role in employment opportunities, leadership roles, collaborations with others, and future advancement. 

In social situations, how well others think of you based on their first assessment might determine the rapport they feel and whether they end up trusting or liking you.

Such impressions can also impact your love life. You might express interest in a potential partner, only to be rebuffed if you leave a poor first impression. 

The ability to accurately recognize other people's emotions is essential for effective social interaction, but some research suggests that poor first impressions can negatively affect the ability to read emotions based on facial expressions.

First Impressions Are Long-Lasting

As the famous saying goes, you never have a second chance to make a first impression, and, for better or worse, those first impressions tend to stick. This is because of a phenomenon known as the primacy effect . Essentially, people tend to have a better memory for the initial information they learned than they do for subsequent information that follows.

When a person thinks about you, those first impressions are more likely to spring to mind over other details they may have learned, all thanks to the primacy effect.

Researchers found that first impressions made based on briefly looking at a photograph of a stranger affected judgments when participants met the same stranger face-to-face a month later.

How to Overcome a Bad First Impression

First impressions are important, but everyone has an off day or makes mistakes in social situations. While it might be more of a challenge to change how you are perceived, there are things you can do to overcome a bad first impression.

If your first meeting was marred by some type of mistake, reach out and apologize . Showing that you are aware of your gaffe and willing to take steps to overcome it can help improve the impression the other person has of you.

Explain What Happened

You don’t want to make excuses, but it can be helpful to provide an honest explanation for why your first meeting went poorly. You might explain that you were nervous, that you weren’t feeling well, that you were distracted, or that you were feeling stressed about something unrelated. No matter the cause, an honest explanation may help the other person better empathize with your situation.

Suggest Another Meeting

If you won’t see them in another setting, ask if you can have another opportunity to let them get to see the real you. However, be willing to respect the other person’s request if they decline your offer.

For example, don't continue pursuing a potential romantic partner after they have told you they are not interested. Don't take it personally; instead, see it as a learning opportunity and try to apply those lessons when you meet someone new.

Let Them See the Real You

If you do get another opportunity to overcome a poor initial impression, make sure you are authentic and consistent in your future interactions. Let the other person see the “real you” in terms of context and situation.

If it’s a second date, let them see the qualities that make you a great romantic partner, such as warmth, kindness, humor, and attentiveness.

In a workplace setting, focus on showing your skills and professionalism. Demonstrating initiative, productivity, and good work habits are just a few ways to help overcome a poor first impression at work.

Poor first impressions happen for a variety of reasons, but there are things you can do to overcome them. Apologizing, offering an explanation, asking for another chance, and showing your best qualities can help others form a more accurate view of who you are and what you have to offer.

A Word From Verywell

Think of first impressions as a building block for relationships—they play a major part in setting the tone for future interactions. Making a good first impression is a great start, but there are also reasons why those initial interactions might be less-than-stellar. Stress, situational factors, and even the other person’s expectations can affect how they see you.

A poor first impression can sink your chances professionally, socially, and romantically, so it is worth it to examine how others react to you in these settings.

Tsankova E, Tair E. Meta-accuracy of very first impressions: A mini review . Front Psychol . 2021;12:736534. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736534

Wood TJ. Exploring the role of first impressions in rater-based assessments . Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract . 2014;19(3):409-427. doi:10.1007/s10459-013-9453-9

Thierry SM, Twele AC, Mondloch CJ. Mandatory first impressions: happy expressions increase trustworthiness ratings of subsequent neutral images . Perception . 2021;50(2):103-115. doi:10.1177/0301006620987205

Colonnello V, Russo PM, Mattarozzi K. First impression misleads emotion recognition . Front Psychol . 2019;10:527. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00527

Gunaydin G, Selcuk E, Zayas V. Impressions based on a portrait predict, 1-month later, impressions following a live interaction . Social Psychological and Personality Science . 2017;8(1):36-44.doi:10.1177/1948550616662123

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Have You Ever Worried About Making a Good First Impression?

In a winning essay for our 2019 Personal Narrative Contest, a teenager writes about wanting to make the right impression on her first day in a new school. Do first impressions matter, or are they overrated?

By Jeremy Engle

Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 1, 2021.

This special Student Opinion question features one of the winning essays from our 2019 Personal Narrative Writing Contest. You can read all of the 2019 winning essays here , and learn more about participating in this year’s contest, open now until Nov. 17, 2020, here .

Have you ever fretted and agonized over a first encounter?

What did you do to make a good impression? Did you practice witty lines in your head? Did you ransack your closets looking for the perfect outfit?

Have you ever truly bungled a first impression? Or, surprised yourself and won over the crowd despite your great apprehension?

What can you learn about yourself from these first encounters?

In “ First Impressions ,” a winning essay from our 2019 Personal Narrative Contest for students, Isabel Hui writes about a time when she hoped to make a good impression — and what she learned about herself from it. Her narrative reads:

When I woke up on August 4, 2016, there was only one thing on my mind: what to wear. A billion thoughts raced through my brain as wooden hangers shuffled back and forth in the cramped hotel closet. I didn’t want to come off as a try-hard, but I also didn’t want to be seen as a slob. Not only was it my first day of high school, but it was my first day of school in a new state; first impressions are everything, and it was imperative for me to impress the people who I would spend the next four years with. For the first time in my life, I thought about how convenient it would be to wear the horrendous matching plaid skirts that private schools enforce. It wasn’t insecurity driving me to madness; I was actually quite confident for a teenage girl. It was the fact that this was my third time being the new kid. Moving so many times does something to a child’s development … I struggled finding friends that I could trust would be there for me if I picked up and left again. But this time was different because my dad’s company ensured that I would start and finish high school in the same place. This meant no instant do-overs when I pick up and leave again. This time mattered, and that made me nervous. After meticulously raiding my closet, I emerged proudly in a patterned dress from Target. The soft cotton was comfortable, and the ruffle shoulders added a hint of fun. Yes, this outfit was the one. An hour later, I felt just as powerful as I stepped off the bus and headed toward room 1136. But as I turned the corner into my first class, my jaw dropped to the floor. Sitting at her desk was Mrs. Hutfilz, my English teacher, sporting the exact same dress as I. I kept my head down and tiptoed to my seat, but the first day meant introductions in front of the whole class, and soon enough it was my turn. I made it through my minute speech unscathed, until Mrs. Hutfilz stood up, jokingly adding that she liked my style. Although this was the moment I had been dreading from the moment I walked in, all the anxiety that had accumulated throughout the morning surprisingly melted away; the students who had previously been staring at their phones raised their heads to pay attention as I shared my story. My smile grew as I giggled with my peers, ending my speech with “and I am very stylish, much like my first period teacher.” After class, I stayed behind and talked to Mrs. Hutfilz, sharing my previous apprehension about coming into a new school and state. I was relieved to make a humorous and genuine connection with my first teacher, one that would continue for the remainder of the year. This incident reminded me that it’s only high school; these are the times to have fun, work hard, and make memories, not stress about the trivial details. Looking back four years later, the ten minutes I spent dreading my speech were really not worth it. While my first period of high school may not have gone exactly the way I thought it would, it certainly made the day unforgettable in the best way, and taught me that Mrs. Hutfilz has an awesome sense of style!

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

When have you made a good or bad first impression? Tell us what happened: Who did you meet, and what were the circumstances — was it a job interview, the first day of school or perhaps a chance encounter on the street? What thoughts were going through your head at the time? What made the impression a positive one or not?

Do you agree with the saying, “You’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression”? Have you ever recovered from a bad first impression you made or changed your initial thoughts about someone else?

Do you connect with anything in Isabel’s story? Have you ever fretted and agonized over an anticipated encounter or event? Which moments in the essay did you find most surprising, powerful or moving? Why?

At the end of the essay, Isabel reflects on her experience and gives the reader a take-away: “This incident reminded me that it’s only high school; these are the times to have fun, work hard, and make memories, not stress about the trivial details.” What do you think of that advice? Is there a moment in your life that changed the way you think or look at the world?

Isabel uses many vivid details to capture her feelings of fear and apprehension such as “meticulously raiding my closet,” and “I kept my head down and tiptoed to my seat.” Which “writer’s moves” that Isabel used in her narrative do you admire most? Choose one and share why you thought it was effective. How did it draw you into the story and help you to identify with the author’s situation?

Students, if Isabel’s story inspired you, consider turning what you wrote into your own personal narrative and submit it to our contest , now through Nov. 17, 2020.

About Student Opinion

• Find all our Student Opinion questions in this column . • Have an idea for a Student Opinion question? Tell us about it . • Learn more about how to use our free daily writing prompts for remote learning .

Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, how to win papers and influence professors: creating positive first impressions through effective titles.

• CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 by John Lamothe

By the time you finish reading this first sentence, you’ve already started forming a first impression about this article. In fact, you really started forming it after reading the title. With the words, “How to Win Papers and Influence Professors,” a spoof on the popular Dale Carnegie book, “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” I already began establishing a tone and setting up expectations for you, the reader. Whether you realized it or not, you had a reaction to that title. This shouldn’t come as a great shock. It’s human nature to form quick first impressions; we’ve all been told early in our lives that first impressions are especially important because they tend to last a long time.

Research backs this up. There’s a mountain of data about humans and first impressions—how long does it take to form one, what impacts our first impressions, what role do they play in relationships or interviews or buying habits, etc. For instance, according to one study, it takes only 100 milliseconds of seeing a new face before we start forming opinions about that person, and another study demonstrated that subsequent opinions tended to be biased toward that first impression, meaning that it takes a lot of contrary data to get us to believe something that’s different from our initial impression (Willis and Todorov; Rabin and Schrag).

An astute student will recognize that the initial impression a paper gives to the reader will have a lasting effect, and when that reader is the teacher or professor, the lasting effect can influence the grade. However, many students fail to recognize that the very first opportunity they have to impact the reader and make a good first impression is through the title. Far too often students treat the title of their papers as placeholders separate from the actual essay, much like the name, course number, or date that they might place in the upper corner. But the title can and should serve a rhetorical purpose; not only can it grab the audience’s attention and indicate how the paper should be read, but it also can influence the student as they write. For example, a humorous title frees the student from a certain amount of scholarly expectation, encouraging a more casual writing style. Not only does that influence a particular writing style, but it can often alleviate much of the pressure that leads to writer’s block. Additionally, a title that indicates a rebuttal essay steers the writer toward a back-and-forth argumentative structure between the source the student is responding to and their own opinion. A common problem with student rebuttals is they often forget about grounding the argument in the source material, but a good title will help keep the article they are responding to front and center.

Below, I briefly explain the rhetorical role that a title can have in creating both the reader and writer (for a more detailed explanation of this rhetorical role and how genre fits in, see “ The Mysterious Incident of the Missing Title: Why Did Titular Concern Vanish from Composition Studies? ”) before offering some tips for creating titles for different kinds of assignments.

CRAFTING FIRST IMPRESSIONS

If you are walking down the street at night and spot a shadowy figure heading your way, you’re likely to change directions or start looking for a safe place to hide. Alternatively, if you are introduced to someone new at a party—a well-groomed, stylish, attractive individual—you’ll likely smile or blush or stand up straighter or turn around and walk away. Right or wrong, a first impression does more than just cause us to form an opinion; it causes us to react based on expectations, context and past experiences.

The first impression in a paper can cause the reader to do the same thing. It sets up expectations and indicates an “appropriate” way to react to (i.e., read) the text. For example, take the title of this article. It accomplishes several things. First, it plants this article in the genre of “How To” papers. Consequently, a reader will expect it to offer steps or advice on creating effective titles, and an audience reads a how-to article differently than an argumentative essay. With a How To, readers will attempt to apply the information to their own lives while with an argumentative essay they will weigh the validity of the claims and look for holes in the logic. Therefore, successful communicators can affect how the audience reads the paper based in part on how they title the essay.

Second, if the reader understands the reference to Carnegie’s famous book, it establishes a playful tone, one that draws the reader in as a co-conspirator of the subtle joke. Humans react to situations based on context. For instance, when you go see a stand-up comic, you’re expecting to laugh, so you tend to laugh more readily at the jokes. If the same joke is made in a different context, perhaps a professional setting, you would probably be less likely to laugh as quickly as you would when at a comedy club. With your papers, creating the proper tone is a good way to get your audience to react in a particular way to the content within the paper. Since this article is written for a student audience , I didn’t want a title that would intimidate students or suggest that this article would be dry or overly “academic.” If, however, I wanted my audience to focus on the theoretical argument and be more likely to accept my claims, I might have titled it something like, “Titular Dynamics and the Phenomenology of Genre.” Imagine how you would have reacted differently to that title than the one I eventually chose. What would your first impression have been?

Finally, the title can help you establish credibility ( ethos ). With the title of this article, I’m drawing on Carnegie’s ethos and my knowledge of his book to help create my own credibility. However, even if your title doesn’t make any particular literary or cultural reference, a clever or interesting title communicates positively to your professor. It says, “I’ve taken the time to think carefully about my title and come up with something that’s clever and insightful,” and that’s a first impression that will stick with the teacher throughout the reading and color their evaluation of the paper.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE TITLES

• Analytical/Persuasive/Informational – Focus both on an attention-grabbing title (see Tip #2) and one that indicates in some way the broad topic (e.g., “They Might Be ‘Super,’ but The Avengers are also Sexist.”)
• Rebuttal – It should indicate that you’re responding to another argument (e.g., “How Could Fallon be So Wrong?”)
• Process/Proposal – It should indicate that you’re addressing actions to be taken. Beginning with a verb often works well (e.g., “Changing Your Oil without Making a Mess,” “Fixing the Parking Problem on Campus.”).
• Grab the audience’s attention– There are many possible ways to grab an audience’s attention with a title. Using humor, a clever turn of phrase, or a literary/cultural reference often works well. You also could generate curiosity by making a shocking claim or juxtaposing words that don’t ordinarily go together (e.g., “Has My Cat Become an Al Qaeda Operative?”).
• Match your title with the conversation you’re entering– When discussing social media and its effects on people, I have my students read three articles: “Social Networking Makes Twits of Us All” by Maria Quinlan, “Smarter than You Think” by Clive Thompson, and “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr. These three are entering the same conversation (in fact, Carr and Thompson reference each other), and you can tell from the similarities in the titles that they’re hoping to achieve a parallel effect on the audience. If students wanted to respond to these articles, it’s best to model the title after the others to indicate that they are aware of the conversation (e.g., “Tweets Make Me Cleverer.”).

Research Projects :

• Keep it scholarly.– When it comes to research projects such as analytical reports, quantitative/qualitative research, senior/masters’ thesis, or dissertations, the goal is less about grabbing attention and more about establishing your project within a scholarly community. Titles should give the audience a sense of what the project is all about. For instance, if you’re doing a feasibility analysis, the word “feasible” or “feasibility” should be in the title.
• Parallel the research question. – A great strategy is to repeat an abbreviated version of your research question as the title (e.g., “Which UAV Platform Best Handles Locating and Monitoring Feral Hogs in South Texas,” or “Electrifying NASCAR: Analysis of Potential Hybrid Technology in Auto Racing.”).
• Consider longer, more descriptive titles– It’s ok to have a long title for this kind of report, and they often incorporate primary and secondary titles with a colon separating the two. This structure often allows you to start with an attention grabber and then follow it up with a subtitle that describes the project in more detail. However, keep in mind that different formatting systems, such as APA, can dictate maximum lengths for titles.

Brevity – Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence – How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Flow – How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity – Inclusive Language

The Elements of Style – The DNA of Powerful Writing

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• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

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• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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First impressions matter: here’s why

9 tips for making a great first impression, dos and don’ts of first impressions, how to recover from making a bad first impression.

Did you know that a single glance at a person's face is enough to form a first impression? Research shows that it takes between just 33–100 milliseconds for someone to form judgments about your character .

Such a short amount of time is clearly not enough to accurately gauge a person’s character. But it’s only natural for us to make assumptions about someone when we first meet them.

We also get attached to our initial impressions of others and find it difficult to change our opinion. Even when presented with contrasting evidence.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.

Read on to learn why first impressions are so powerful and how to make a good first impression that will last.

What are first impressions?

First impressions are the almost-instant conclusions we draw when meeting someone for the first time. We form this opinion by quickly taking in information about a person, including their face, dress, posture, and tone of voice.

We form a not-always-accurate opinion about many of a person’s qualities when we first meet them. Some of the qualities we try to gauge include a person’s friendliness, honesty, trustworthiness , and competence.

A first impression becomes a filter that we use for all future interactions with that person. It can be very difficult to change someone’s first impression of us.

First impressions last. Whether they are accurate or not, it normally takes a long time and concerted effort to change a first impression.

Because they are largely subconscious, first impressions are very persistent. Even in the face of contrary evidence. Because of our implicit biases and cognitive biases , we see the world and other people through our own set of filters and make decisions based on them.

All of your relationships are affected by the first impression that you make.

If people’s first impression of you is that you are friendly, competent, and trustworthy , they are more likely to feel comfortable around you. They are then more likely to consider you a friend and open up to you. 

People you meet are also more likely to remember you and recommend you to their friends and coworkers . Because of this, making a good first impression impacts your networking . 

This kind of social capital can have far-reaching effects on both your personal and professional life. Other people will spread their good opinions about you.

If the first impression that you create includes competency, this will instill confidence in others of your abilities and skills. They are more likely to trust that you can perform the tasks assigned to you and achieve the goals that have been set .

This can provide you with greater latitude in how you perform your tasks and achieve your goals .

On their own, each of the above is a good example of why first impressions matter. When you combine their effects, a good first impression becomes even more important. Creating a good first impression can generate a lot of personal power.

A good first impression also tends to provide opportunities. Potential customers would be more likely to become actual customers. Referrals through networking can result in new job offers. 

And a good first impression can improve our chances of promotion when you’re evenly matched on skills and experience with other applicants.

Now that we’ve covered why first impressions are so important, here are some tips to nail that first meeting.

1. Make eye contact

Eye contact is a nonverbal form of communication . Making eye contact is taken as a show of honesty and as a way of showing respect to the person that you are talking to. Maintaining eye contact also shows that you’re paying attention to the other person and listening to what they are saying .

Try to make eye contact before you start talking, and maintain regular eye contact during your conversation . You do, however, need to know the difference between eye contact and staring someone down.

In her book, How To Talk To Anyone , Leil Lowndes recommends a 60/40 mix , with 60% eye contact being the ideal goal to indicate paying attention without aggression.

A sincere smile puts people at ease and makes people feel welcome.

A genuine smile reaches your eyes and creates an impression of trust and sincerity . If your smile reaches your eyes, it will be seen even if you are wearing a mask.

If you feel a tightening of the muscles around your eyes, you know that your smile shows in your eyes.

3. Dress for the occasion

What you wear greatly contributes to your first impression. Caroline Dunn and Lucette Charette of The National Research Council of Canada found that “ People are affected by your appearance, whether or not they realize it , and whether or not they think appearance is important.” 

In short, what you wear has consequences.

Make sure that your clothing is appropriate for the situation. Dressing too casually for a job interview is likely to create the impression that you aren’t serious about the job.

4. Be authentic

People can be remarkably quick to pick up on insincerity, so it pays to be yourself .

Constant worry about whether you are saying or doing the right thing often comes across as insincerity as well.

Being authentic means knowing your strengths and weaknesses and communicating them in a considerate way .

5. Be a good communicator

A good communicator listens more than they talk . A good guideline for this is to talk only a third as much as you listen.

Listening more shows that you are being attentive and lets the other person feel heard. 

As founder of First Impressions Ann Demarais points out, people always remember how you made them feel . If you communicate clearly and listen well , people will enjoy their interactions with you. 

6. Use positive body language

Body language is a large part of communication. Some basic guidelines for positive body language are:

• Stand or sit up straight, and hold your head up. You will present yourself as comfortable and confident.
• Avoid crossing your arms or legs. This subconsciously closes you off from the other person.
• Offer your hand for a good, firm handshake that is confident but not crushing.

7. Be empathetic

Pay attention to the emotional well-being of the person that you are talking to.

Empathizing with someone can contribute to a strong connection. It demonstrates that you understand them emotionally.

8. Do your research and come prepared

Doing some basic research can help you understand the context and environment that you will be in. 

It can help you dress appropriately and guide you to the formality of language that will be suitable. You may also discover information about other people you can use to start a conversation with them.

Preparing beforehand will make you feel more at ease and will also show that you are interested and focused .

9. Act confidently

Acting confident, even if you don’t feel brave , will create an impression of confidence. This appearance of self-assurance will contribute to a better first impression.

Here are some general customs to follow for a first meeting to ensure you make a good impression.

• Be overbearing. This is often the result of talking too much and not listening enough. This creates the impression that you aren’t interested in the other person or what they have to say.
• Interrupt when others talk. In many cultures, interrupting someone comes across as very rude. Not only does it communicate that you aren’t really listening, it often upsets the interrupted person.

It also creates the impression that you are more interested in hearing yourself speak and value your own opinion more than that of others.

• Be constantly on your phone. Once in a while, we should all take a digital detox to overcome our device dependence. If you are constantly on your phone, you create the impression that you aren’t paying attention. It also communicates that you aren’t interested in the other person.
• Try too hard. Trying too hard is often obvious and makes you seem insincere. It can create the sense that you are prepared to do almost anything to create a good impression, even if that means overstating your abilities.
• Read the room. Taking a moment to read a room gives you time to gather yourself. It can also guide your behavior by providing contextual information about levels of formality and language style.
• Use different types of listening. Understanding and using the different types of listening enable you to communicate more effectively. 

Other people will pick up on whether you are an effective listener or not. This will contribute to their impression of you.

• Be optimistic. Being optimistic will contribute to a positive atmosphere. People enjoy being around optimists. A sense of cheerfulness will have a positive effect on the impression that you create.
• Ask open and closed questions. Asking open questions shows that you’re interested and attentive. Asking closed questions shows that you focus on what’s important.

Here are some ideas for questions you can ask:

• What led you to this career?
• What’s the most exciting part of your job and why?
• What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
• Who inspires you?
• Where did you work before this position?
• Do you have any hobbies?
• What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
• What’s something you’re proud of?

By asking a mix of open and closed questions, you show others that you have these skills, which builds a positive first impression.

Overcoming a bad first impression can sometimes seem like an almost impossible task. 

It just takes consistent effort and time. Below are some guidelines to get you started in overcoming a bad first impression.

Accept the bad first impression and identify where you went wrong

Only by accepting the bad first impression can you begin to identify where you went wrong. 

Self-awareness will help you identify what you need to do differently and why. Once you have identified where you went wrong (or what went wrong), you can take corrective action.

Admit your mistake and apologize if necessary

Admitting your mistake to yourself can often be the hardest part. But after that, admitting your error to others is easier.

Important to remember is that just because you made a bad first impression, it doesn’t mean it was always you or your fault. What is important is being able to identify what went wrong, not beat yourself up over it.

Apologizing for your mistake (if necessary) shows that you are aware and interested in improving the person’s first impression of you. An apology can go a long way to overcoming a bad first impression.

Focus on the future

Don’t dwell on the bad first impression. Once you have accepted and admitted it, focus on the actions you are going to take to improve the first impression.

Dwelling on the bad first impression will only make it harder for you to recover from it.

Be consistent with your positive actions

It’s important to be consistent with your positive actions. Your consistency will show sincerity.

You also need to be consistent because, unfortunately, any lapse in your positive actions will reinforce the bad first impression.

Make your first impression count

A good first impression can provide many benefits. It offers you advantages, both short and long term, in your personal and professional life. 

The guidelines above can set you on the path to mastering the art of creating a good first impression. With attention to detail and practice, you can create an impression that lasts. For all the right reasons. 

For assistance and support in developing these and other skills, talk to our coaches at BetterUp . We’re here to help you excel.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

Learn how to introduce yourself in conversation and in writing

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11 Ways to Make a Fantastic First Impression

Last Updated: January 30, 2024 Fact Checked

How to Make a Good First Impression

• Why do impressions matter?
• Recovering from a Bad Impression

Expert Interview

Expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Maria Avgitidis and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main . Maria Avgitidis is the CEO & Matchmaker of Agape Match, a matchmaking service based out of New York City. For over a decade, she has successfully combined four generations of family matchmaking tradition with modern relationship psychology and search techniques to ensure her professional clientele are introduced to their ultimate match. Maria and Agape Match have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, Fast Company, CNN, Esquire, Elle, Reuters, Vice, and Thrillist. There are 28 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 802,112 times.

A first impression can have a huge effect on how the other person views you. Whether you’re interviewing for a new job, meeting a new client, going on a first date, or introducing yourself to a potential friend, we're here to help you put your best foot forward. Dressing appropriately for the context, smiling, making eye contact, and being positive and kind toward the other person are great ways to start. Read on for all the best tips from relationship experts about how to make a great first impression.

Things You Should Know

• Prepare a few questions and talking points beforehand so you can avoid lulls in the conversation and make a new connection.
• Dress appropriately for the context, and when you get there, smile, stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact with the other person.
• Practice active listening by nodding along and restating what the other person says.

• If you’d like to make a potential friend think you’re fun, prepare a few hilarious stories you could weave into conversation.
• Think about what parts of your environment you could point out. At a party, you could ask if the food is good.
• Before a job interview, think of a few questions you could ask about the company or the person you’re interviewing with. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source
• If you’re interviewing someone or meeting someone you admire, try to ask unique questions that dig deeper than what most people tend to ask.

• In professional or academic settings, stick to clean understated clothes without holes, wrinkles, or tears. [5] X Research source

• If you’re going to an interview or a first date, consider arriving 10 to 15 minutes early to relax and center yourself. [7] X Research source
• If you’re meeting a potential friend or a colleague, come to an agreement with them about what time and place work best for you both.

• Eye contact is also an important way to connect and communicate non-verbally with the other person. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
• Try to maintain eye contact 50% of the time while speaking and 70% of the time while listening. [11] X Research source

• Smiling can also help fight off stress and lift your mood. [15] X Research source
• If you’re meeting a job interviewer, try to be bold and introduce yourself first. [16] X Research source

• When meeting a client or someone in a professional setting, set the tone of the meeting by giving them a strong handshake .
• Try to avoid engaging in nervous habits like biting your nails.

• For example, if they say they went to a Taylor Swift concert last weekend, you could ask “What was your favorite part of the show?” or “I love her! What’s your favorite album?”
• If they’re distracted by something interesting, talk about it. Go with the flow and share whatever they are interested in together.

• In a professional setting, try to share something low-stakes with the other person, like what you did last weekend or a new hobby you’re into. [23] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

• If possible, avoid having to make first impressions when you are feeling low—a negative mood could make others view you as unfriendly. [26] X Trustworthy Source Science Direct Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics Go to source

• To restate, say something like, “What happened after Josh called you back?” or “What were you thinking when she apologized?”
• Ask open-ended questions that will allow them to elaborate on their thoughts, like “What happened when you moved back in with him?”
• Conversations are all about give and take. If the other person starts to look distracted or bored, you might be talking too much—try asking them a question.

• If you finished a job interview, send them a thank-you note and tell them how excited you are about the job opportunity.

Why do good first impressions matter?

• In a private setting, who a person is and what they bring to the table can matter more than a positive first impression. [31] X Research source Try to be authentic from the start.

Recovering from a Bad First Impression

• Ask your friends or the other people who were there what they thought of the interaction. If they didn’t think anything of it, you probably have nothing to worry about.
• The next time you interact with that person, take a deep breath, smile, and be yourself. Any misunderstandings will smooth over with time.

• You might say “I’m sorry for the joke I told, and I didn't mean to offend you” or “I’m sorry if I came on too strong, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.” [36] X Research source
• Try not to over-apologize for a dicey first meeting—this might put the other person in the uncomfortable position of having to reassure you. [37] X Research source

• To focus on the future, think about how you can do things differently next time you meet someone new.
• Take time to practice self-care and plan things that can help you feel more positive about yourself.

• If you're feeling nervous before you meet someone, take a few deep breaths beforehand to relax. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dating, check out our in-depth interview with Maria Avgitidis .

• ↑ https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2012/09/first-impression
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2012/11/first-impressions
• ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression
• ↑ Maria Avgitidis. Matchmaker & Dating Expert. Expert Interview. 20 December 2019
• ↑ https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-to-wear-to-an-interview
• ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/etiquette/importance-of-punctuality/
• ↑ https://ung.edu/career-services/online-career-resources/interview-well/tips-for-a-successful-interview.php
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/eye_contact_dont_make_these_mistakes
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5390711/
• ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-psychology/resource/the-power-of-smiling
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201605/the-9-superpowers-your-smile
• ↑ https://www.npr.org/2022/09/16/1123478607/starting-new-job-right
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/spycatcher/201108/body-language-basics
• ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/body-language-tricks-appear-more-confident-2016-3#-5
• ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550613502990
• ↑ https://time.com/6280607/small-talk-tips-benefits/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201810/how-be-yourself-in-five-simple-steps
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2022/07/how-to-get-comfortable-being-yourself-at-work
• ↑ https://www.gottman.com/blog/3-ways-to-keep-your-relationship-in-the-positive-perspective/
• ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
• ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103110002568
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/become-a-better-listener-active-listening
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2013/10/the-power-of-restraint-always-leave-them-wanting-more
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/am-i-right/201302/the-power-first-impressions
• ↑ Sarah Schewitz, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.
• ↑ https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/9-ways-to-fix-a-bad-first-impression.html
• ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/people/social-skills/how-to-recover-from-a-bad-first-impression/

About This Article

To make a good first impression, make sure to look your best by dressing appropriately for the occasion, which will help you feel confident and relaxed. When you meet someone, greet them in a way that fits the situation, like a handshake for business meetings, and be sure to make eye contact and smile. Then, show the person you’re meeting that you are engaged in your conversation by actively listening to what they are saying, and asking them questions that will allow them to elaborate on their thoughts. For more ways to make a good first impression, like how to communicate with body language, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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First Impressions: Writing A Great College Essay

For most students it is a challenge trying to figure out what to highlight in a college application essay. Should you focus more on clubs, sports, and extracurriculars, or would an impressive list of academic achievements be better?

Believe it or not, your future school is probably dealing with the same questions. Grade inflation means that it can be difficult to differentiate students by their academic achievements alone, and most good students also have a wealth of extracurricular activities that make the job even harder. As a result, colleges are increasingly looking to your essay for a better idea of who you are.

This makes it all the more important to get your essay right—but it can be daunting when it feels like every word is important. We asked our admissions experts what they usually look for, and came up with the following dos and don’ts for a great college essay.

Write for your audience. Most students apply to around eight schools, but make the mistake of using the same essay for each. Every school has a different set of values and characteristics, and you need to show admissions officers that you have them too—so tailor your response!

Take note when prompted. Some essay questions are open-ended and allow you to choose your topic, but when a school asks a specific question, make sure you answer it. Do your research and think about how you can use the topic to showcase your own experiences.

Use examples. You might say you want to run your own business one day, but statements like this are much more powerful if you can give examples of how you are progressing towards your goals. Link statements to examples wherever you can, and then further link these to your choice of program and school.

Be passionate and heartfelt. Give the admissions committee a reason to be excited about having you on their campus. Your future college wants talented students, but it is just as important to them that they are engaged—so show them what motivates you and how it will transfer to your degree.

Take your time: Very few people produce their best work under time pressure, so make sure you take breaks to give yourself a chance to refocus and gain a new perspective on your writing. You should also have someone else take a look at your work—other people can often spot problem areas or typos that you would have otherwise missed.

Write one long paragraph. Structure your ideas into clearly defined sections and it will pay off—an introduction, middle, and a conclusion will help admissions officers to understand your points as they read through quickly.

Over-state the facts: Making a two-week internship sound like you were the CEO of a Fortune 500 company won’t improve your standing in the eyes of the admissions committee. Be honest—they’ll appreciate it.

Try and cram too much in: If your essay feels like a list of your various classes, clubs, jobs, and accomplishments, it won’t help the admissions committee understand what you’re like as a person. Try not to exceed the requested word count, be focused, and edit yourself well.

Use complex language: Focus on plain, correct English to make your statement clear and easy to read. Overcomplicating your language might demonstrate a wide vocabulary, but it won’t help your clarity. If you’re producing an essay, this is your chance to demonstrate your writing skills and the fact that you know what’s appropriate when—a critical asset for a university student.

Remember, admissions committees receive thousands of personal statements, and they have limited time to read them, so you need to stand out. Ask yourself if your essay truly reflects you, or just sounds like anyone else you know. Be clear, let your talents shine through, and make your reason for applying to their school obvious.

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Making a Great First Impression

Getting off to a good start.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.

With every new encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person's impression of you is formed. These first impressions can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, and they often set the tone for the relationship that follows.

Make a great first impression with the five tips in this video and transcript .

So, it's essential that you know how to create a great first impression. This article provides some useful tips to help you do this.

How to Create a Good First Impression

1. be on time.

Someone you are meeting for the first time will not be interested in your "good excuse" for running late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early, and allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving early is much better that arriving late, and is the first step toward creating a great first impression.

If your first meeting is virtual, check your tech and connection beforehand, and think about your backdrop and surroundings.

2. Present Yourself Appropriately

Of course physical appearance matters. The person you are meeting for the first time doesn't know you, so your appearance is usually the first clue they have to go on.

But, don't worry! This doesn't mean that you need to look like a model to create a strong and positive first impression. (Unless you are interviewing with your local model agency, of course!)

No. The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the "picture" you first present needs to demonstrate who you are to the person you are meeting.

First, think about the way that you dress. What is the appropriate dress code for the meeting or occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit, blazer, casual? And what will the person you'll be meeting be likely to wear? If your contact is in the creative arts or the music industry, a pinstripe business suit may not strike the right note!

For business and social meetings, appropriate dress also varies between countries and cultures, so it's something that you should pay particular attention to when in an unfamiliar setting or country. Make sure that you know the traditions and norms of the country and culture you're meeting in.

3. Be Yourself

Yes, making a good first impression does mean you need to "fit in" to some degree. But it doesn't mean losing yourself or pretending to be someone you're not. The best way to create a good impression is by being your authentic self. Doing this will make you feel more confident, help you to build trust, and earn the respect and integrity from the people you meet.

4. Have a Winning Smile!

As the saying goes, "Smile and the world smiles too." So there's nothing like a smile to create a good first impression. A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease. So smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions. But don't go overboard with this – people who take this too far can seem insincere and smarmy.

5. Be Open and Confident

When it comes to making a good first impression, body language can often speak louder than words.

Use your body language to project appropriate confidence and self-assurance. Stand tall, smile (of course), make eye contact, greet with a firm handshake. All of this will help you to project confidence and encourage both you and the other person to feel more at ease.

Almost everyone gets a little nervous when meeting someone for the first time. But this can lead to unwanted side effects, such as nail biting, the "jitters" or sweaty palms. By being aware of your nervous habits, you can try to keep them in check. See our article on relaxation techniques for help with this.

6. Use Small Talk

Conversations are based on verbal give and take. It may help you to prepare questions some questions for the person you are meeting beforehand. Or, take a few minutes to learn something about them. For instance, do they play golf? Do they work with a local charitable foundation? Do you have anything in common with them? If so, this can be a great way to open the conversation and to keep it flowing.

7. Be Positive

Your attitude shines through in everything you do. So, project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately. Finally, show that you are approachable by maintaining an upbeat manner and smiling!

8. Be Courteous and Attentive

It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behavior help make a good first impression. In fact, anything less can ruin the one chance that you have at making that first impression. So be on your best behavior!

Set aside modern day distractions, for instance, by turning off your mobile phone so that you can give the person your full attention. And don't get sidetracked by other people. After all, what kind of first impression would you create if you are more interested in talking to someone else? Your new acquaintance deserves 100 percent of your attention. Anything less and you'll likely make them feel unimportant or even irritated.

You have just a few seconds to make a good first impression and it's almost impossible to change it once it's happened. So it's worth giving each new encounter your best shot.

You can do this by following these eight strategies:

• Be on time.
• Present yourself appropriately.
• Be yourself.
• Have a winning smile.
• Be open and confident.
• Use small talk.
• Be positive.
• Be courteous and attentive.

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Tiffany Flowers

This was a very good and helpful video. Thank you for your time and knowledge in making this video.

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• Essay Database >
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• Essay on Psychology

Sample Essay On First Impressions

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Psychology , Moment , Water , Mind , Sea , Love , Conversation , Time

Words: 2000

Published: 03/16/2020

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Hearing my heart beating faster and faster, my palms get sweaty, and the feeling of restless butterflies in my stomach all let me know that my nerves are strung tight. Looking around me, everyone seems like they are a sea of calmness. Soft murmurs can be heard from an occasional speaker while questions fly around in my mind. I look down at my drink and back up at the room, still thinking about the moment that has not come. Waiting for someone to step forward with a greeting while hoping I can succeed this time. Occasionally, someone looks my way. We both give a tiny smile and a small nod. However, they always seem to be elsewhere in their minds as they turn back to their discussion. Walking slowly around the room, I am still waiting for that moment that have not come but I know it will be soon. I nervously clutch my glass. There are times when I am holding my drink as if it is a shield between everyone and me. I know that it is impossible to avoid speaking. It is what I signed up for, and now I feel the need to go through this process. However, if there were times when I had a single regret for doing something out of my comfort zone, it is now. In all honesty, first impression was never my strong point. Usually, I am confident in settings where someone introduces those who are present. Now, stepping out on my own, doing my introductions seems like an impossible mission. For many people, first impression is important. It sets the tone of how people not only view another person, but how they communicate and work with each other as well. I strongly believe that first impressions seem to be similar to job interviews. From how firmly you shake hands to how well you answer questions, even if they may seem a little invasive at times, can mean the difference between making a good first impression and making the worse mistake of your life. Most bad first impression tends to last for life and spread like wildfire. If I come off the wrong way, chances are the person will end up telling their friends, families, and colleagues about one of the worse first meetings they ever had. Thus, it could ruin my chances at success. As Eliot Abrams once said, "First impressions matter. Experts say we size up new people in somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes." I have no doubt that this is true. During those precious moments, it is possible to make a complete idiot of oneself or to make a good impression. As the moment approaches, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach turn into a raging tornado. Their wings are beating against my insides while the wind screams "idiot" in my head. I walk across the room holding my glass-shield. It is now that I realize how small and insignificant glass is in my hand. Before, when the moment seemed so far away, the glass felt heavy, as if it was some vase or glass door. Now, as the moment for making my first impression draws closer, the glass seems to get smaller. Looking in the glass, I can see the liquid in it. I have a short conversation in my mind about whether the glass is half empty or half full. As I make my way across the room, the argument in my mind gets louder and louder. Finally, a rational voice speaks up from the depths of my soul and says, "Does it matter?" As if my mind was a room of academics trying to discover the meaning of life and was presented with a theory, everything went quiet. For a brief moment, I have utter quiet in my mind. Time to think about the first impression I am about to make. As I turn my mind to how I am going to make a first impression, my body starts to relax. The butterflies in my stomach went from a raging tornado to a calm river. The soft fluttering of their wings calms my nerves, and I become confident. As I look across the sea of humans standing before me, I spot my target. She is a tall, blonde woman with the blue eyes and charming smile sitting at the table at the front of the room. She is speaking to someone. They seem to be in a very deep conversation. This is good because it gives me time to size her up. As I look at her, I start to form a first impression of her. There is thunder in her voice as she speaks and the way she tilts her head to the side a little tells me she is someone who speaks her mind. She waves her hand as she speaks in order to drive her point home to the person in front of her. Slowly she stands as if she is a mountain rising from the sea. It becomes clear that due to her height, she towers over the majority of the people in the room. She wears eyeglasses, but her eyes appear sharp as an arrow as it moves across the room looking for its target. I have a feeling that it may be difficult to talk to her about my issue, so I try not to meet her piercing blue eyes. Unfortunately, our eyes met. The butterflies that were alive in my stomach met a quick death in an instance as I move towards her. To my shock and utter surprise she shakes her head no and points to the person behind me. The coolness of relief washes over me as if I was a burning bush needing water thrown over me to be saved from destruction. I gulp down the last of my drink as if I never had a drink in years. As I search around for a full glass to become my next shield, I try to figure out why I was passed over. Should I think myself lucky that I have more time to make a great first impression or should I just give up and go home? For some reason, I stay because maybe something good will come from this experience. I turn my back to her and walk to the nearest table and pick up a full glass. I have my new shield. I am ready for whatever comes next. I look around the room and noticed that many people have left the room. Those that remain are quiet. Some look around scared while others are seemingly calm. Suddenly, a name is called. A thin guy slowly walks across the room as if it was doomsday and he is about to meet his opponent. I can hear him stutter his name to the person who called it out earlier as he reaches the front of the room. All eyes are on him. He is shaking like a leaf on a windy day. She smiles to him and tell him everything will be alright. She offers him a seat. Everyone turns their head away, not wanting to see the result of this battle firsthand. Whispers can be heard as the two continue their conversation. More people walk into the room. Each was handed a glass, and each is using that glass as a shield. I can hear someone walking towards me. I lift my eyes to see who dares to interpret my thoughts. I am met with a quiet, yet shy smile of a newcomer. She approaches me with confidence on her face. In her hand, she clutches her drink. I look closely at her face and can see her lips are quivering. I smile at her despite feeling nervous myself. She puts out her hand and says "Hi, my name is Kathy." Knowing this could be my chance to practice my first impression on her, stuck out my hand. Remembering to keep eye contact and give a firm but not too firm handshake, I returned the greeting with my name. I can see she is interested in keeping the conversation going. While we wait for our moment to come, we talk about where we are from, how we arrive at our current destination today, and what we think our chances were like compared to others in the room. As we our conversation progress, I can see Kathy is becoming relaxed about the situation. Her death grip on her glass is loosening, and her lips are curved into the sunniest smile. We seem to be attracting the attention of those around us. A few people have formed a line similar to a flock of bird and were coming our way. To them, Kathy and I must seem like an island in the middle of a restless sea. The crowd around us gets bigger as our conversation starts to take on a life of its own. I look to the front of the room, hoping that my moment has not come yet. The thundering voice is calling out names, but none is mine, and I am happy about it. I know that with each person joining our conversation, I can practice getting better at my first impression. With each practice my chances at getting this part would increase. My nervousness is gone and in its place an overwhelming bout of confidence has bloomed. I put my glass down because I know I no longer need a glass shield. I looked around, past the small crowd around me and noticed the room is becoming empty again. Like the sun knows it will rise the next day, I know my moment for my first impression is coming up. I prepare myself mentally for my moment. The thundering voice calls out once more and this time it calls out my name. Everyone in the crowd around me goes silent as I take a deep breath. As people part like the Red Sea and I walk down the middle, a few brave souls whispers "good luck" to me. I smile and thank them knowing that this was my chance to get the part. As I stare straight into her eyes, the tall, mountain of a woman gives me a tiny smile. Her motions to a chair in front of the desk and tells me to take a seat. She adjusts her eyeglasses and picks up her pen. She stabs the paper with a pen as she writes down some notes. I reach over the table and extend my hand. In my clearest voice, I introduced myself and she does the same. We both give firm handshakes. Her smile widens, and I know I succeeded in starting my first impression off right. She starts to question why I am here today and how I heard about the film production going on at this location. I am excited because the answers are clear as day. I tell her about a friend I know working on the film at the moment. I can see her piercing eyes are less sharp now. Instead, they seem to be smiling. She knows the persons I am speaking about now. First impression is important to the majority of society. Making a bad first impression is everyone's worse nightmare. While I did not get a part in the film, I know that I did not make a complete idiot out of myself. The conversation had gone as smooth as a calm lake on a hot sunny day. She found our conversation to be stimulating. After exchanging contact, we parted ways. As I walked through the room, I can see that many of the other would-be actresses and actors were nervous. I smile at them knowing that many of them had the same nervous butterfly feeling in their stomach. Most were probably hoping to get a part in the film. However, I know they were all hoping that their first impression would go alright. For them, making a good first impression could mean the difference between getting future jobs and being forgotten like yesterday's trash. Again, people part like the Red Sea as I passed by them. I whisper "good luck" to many of the people who were in the crowd with me. In return, I was met with a sea of silent smiles and nervous head nods.

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How to Make a Good First Impression: 14 Tips to Try

Published: September 21, 2022

Did you know that it only takes a tenth of a second to make a first impression? So when you meet someone for the first time, you need to be on your game from the very beginning — but do you know exactly how to make a good first impression?

Whether you're meeting new connections, team members, potential employers, or customers, here is alist of tips to help you put your best foot forward and make a great first impression.

• Arrive early.
• Be empathetic.
• Actively listen.
• Be mindful of your body language and posture.
• Modulate your pitch and tone of voice.
• Choose your words wisely.
• Dress the part.
• Make eye contact.
• Know your audience.
• Come prepared.
• Be authentic.
• Put your phone away.
• Make a connection.
• Don't forget to follow up.

14 Tips for Making a Good First Impression

1. arrive early..

Actor Billy Porter said it in his book Unprotected: A Memoir , "Fifteen minutes early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable."

Arriving a little early for a meeting shows your punctuality and gives you a little more time to ensure everything is in place. If you're giving a presentation, arriving early gives you a moment to test the equipment you're using. If you're early to a job interview , you'll have time to go over your elevator pitch to yourself, adjust your tie, or make sure your hair isn't out of place.

2. Be Empathetic.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the same feelings as another person. It can help you come across as personable when it comes to first impressions. Of course, you want to be professional and not cross boundaries. However, showing that you understand the person or group you're speaking to and that what they're saying resonates with you will help you form a genuine connection.

To show empathy, ask questions with genuine curiosity and listen to understand — not just respond. And make a point to stay focused and engaged in the interaction.

3. Actively listen.

Most people don't like repeating themselves or answering the same question multiple times — it makes them feel like they aren't being listened to. You don't want your first impression to be that you're an inattentive listener, so practice active listening.

Active listening is giving the speaker your undivided attention and paying attention to what's said and the intention behind it. Listen for opportunities to ask questions pertaining to the discussion. Asking the right questions shows you're engaged — just don't ask something the speaker already answered.

4. Be mindful of your body language and posture.

When you're meeting someone for the first time, keep your posture open — don’t tightly cross your arms or legs, ball your hands into fists, or hunch over in your seat. Lean in when you talk to show you're actively listening and tuned into the conversation. Don’t be afraid to take up some space at the table. If you usually use hand gestures or move around to communicate, don't hold back. You don't want to appear stiff and uncomfortable.

These nonverbal cues can make a powerful subconscious impact, so be aware of your body language and posture during meetings in general — particularly during initial pitches or interviews.

Refrain from tapping, touching your face too often, placing objects in front of yourself, blinking excessively, and sitting or standing too close to others (respect the bubble, people). Some body language habits can suggest dishonesty, such as avoiding eye contact and touching your mouth, so avoid those habits as well.

5. Modulate your pitch and tone of voice.

A high-pitched tone of voice can make you seem childish or nervous — especially if you tend to “uptalk” or use a rising inflection at the end of your sentences.According to the Corporate Finance Institute , job interviewers may get the impression that a candidate is insecure or unsure of themselves if they speak with an upward inflection. This is because upward inflections make sentences sound more like questions than statements.

Not sure if you're guilty of this? Try practicing your presentations or recording yourself reading aloud. You’d be surprised at how different you sound to others versus in your own head.

Be sure to speak clearly and at a steady pace (not too fast and not too slow), and avoid filler words such as “um," “ah," and “like" because those words show hesitation. Try practicing not relying on filler words in front of a camera to train yourself.

6. Choose your words wisely.

Words matter even more than you think. Positive and persuasive words and phrases will often open doors and make people feel comfortable in your presence, ultimately making them more willing to work with you.

For instance, let’s look at many marketers' favorite show: Mad Men . Some of Don Draper’s best pitches (e.g., Carousel and Lucky Strike ) were full of positive language. That said, positive language doesn’t need to be cheesy or trendy, as Draper illustrates. Instead, positive language can uplift your audience by simply being clear and straightforward.

This point is especially valuable if you're making a first impression in a job interview. You want potential employers to find you positive, flexible, and capable, so use language that reflects optimism and agency instead of negativity.

7. Dress the part.

Regardless of how little you personally care about fashion or style, what you wear matters. While you want to look clean and neat, it's also essential to match or slightly exceed the relative level of formality of the person or business you are meeting with — whether that is business formal, highly casual, or something in between.

"You are your brand, especially if you are a business owner, so making sure that your look communicates your best self is important," explains Laurel Mintz, CEO of Elevate My Brand .

If you want to show off your personality, try including one accessory that could be considered a memorable item or even a conversation piece. This could be anything from a unique piece of jewelry to a fancy tie to a pair of fun socks.

For example, former Jacksonville, Florida, television reporter Ken Amaro is known to sport a bow tie in all his TV appearances . While he wears most reporters' typical professional suit attire, the bow tie helped him stand out. It even became the name of an annual golf tournament in Jacksonville — The Ken Amaro Bow Tie Golf Classic.

8. Make eye contact.

Focus on the person or people you are speaking with. It's hard to connect with someone when you're looking down at a screen, so try to make eye contact with everyone in the room.

However, keep in mind that if some people aren’t already persuaded or inclined to be on your side, they may focus more on your mouth or any presentation materials you’re showcasing instead of your eyes. This can make maintaining eye contact difficult, but if you speak clearly, concisely, and appear confident — you should eventually be able to gain your audience's attention enough to shift their focus to your eyes.

9. Know your audience.

Do your research. If your meeting is planned in advance, you should know plenty about the person or business you're meeting with before arriving. Google the people you’ll meet, the company founders/co-founders, their history, their competition, their main products, and any other relevant information before you walk into the room.

To gather the background information you need, check the company's website or the LinkedIn profile of whoever you plan on speaking to. Some companies and organizations have Wikipedia pages as well. I know there has always been debate over Wikipedia's reliability, but scrolling down to the "Reference" section of a Wikipedia article will take you to different articles, videos, and other sources of information to draw from.

10. Come prepared.

There's nothing worse than an unproductive meeting. To make a great first impression, respect everyone’s time. If you're meeting with someone working remotely, plan accordingly. Is your laptop WiFi reliable? Is your device (phone, computer, etc.) charged and working correctly? Did you test your web camera if you're using one?

The last thing you want is for a meeting or interview to run long because you spent half the time fixing an awkward mishap. That said, if you’re being productive and everyone has the bandwidth, it might be okay if the meeting runs long — just make sure you check in with the group before making the call. Meeting time management is key to building an engaged group of clients or colleagues. Plus, it shows respect for their schedules.

11. Be authentic.

When you're meeting someone for the first time, don't try to be someone you're not. If you don't know the answer to something they ask, don't fake it. The ability to lean into your weaknesses shows that you are self-aware .

However, don't over-emphasize your shortcomings, either. It might seem shockingly simple, but over-highlighting weaknesses and how you might fix them could cause you to focus on the negatives — making them the most significant part of your overall impression.

While you don’t want to hide any weaknesses (people will likely figure it out anyways), you do want to be honest and move on to your good qualities — especially at the beginning of a business relationship.

12. Put your phone away.

That goes for tablets, laptops, and other electronics, too. It's one thing to use technology to deliver a presentation, but if they're not needed — turn off sounds and vibrations on your mobile devices and put your screens away. Give your complete and undivided attention to the people you're meeting for the first time to convey your commitment, focus, and good manners.

13. Make a connection.

Pay close attention to who you're meeting with for the first time and try to forge a connection based on what they share with you. Whether it's their alma mater or their hometown, developing a connection outside the professional conversation can be a great way to build rapport.

Just don't be too forward. Avoid making comments about their appearance that could be perceived as inappropriate, and stick to connections you might have in common. Those are more genuine than compliments, anyway.

14. Don't forget to follow up.

After an initial meeting, don't forget to follow up by sending any necessary information such as notes, presentation docs, next steps, or a simple thank you email.

These small gestures will help prove that you're serious about the connections made and the information shared and that you're making them a priority rather than just another task to check off your to-do list.

Sending out updated information after a meeting can also be a way to get a second chance at a first impression. How so? It helps to show another side of you or your business — perhaps a more responsible side. It also allows you to clear up any misunderstandings or expand upon points you made in the initial meeting.

Don't let a negative first impression get in the way of your ability to get to know someone. Follow these 14 tips to ensure that the first time you meet with someone won't be the last.

Now, learn how to shoot a new professional headshot that makes an excellent first impression before you even meet your colleagues.

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