10 Mistakes That Make Your First Impression Stick

When you're first making a good impression on someone, it can be hard to know what not to do. It's usually an off the cuff decision, and people often only consider the consequences after they’ve already made a blunder. Believe me when I say that little mistakes like these will have an extremely bad effect on your interaction with others: they'll think less of you and may ask themselves if you’re worth their time. They might see you as disrespectful, unprofessional, or even rude. In this post we're going to focus on ten mistakes that make your first impression stick.

1. You're too awkward to socialize

You don't have to be a comedian to make a great first impression, but acting like it is something that could go really badly. This can be especially true when you’re trying to get comfortable with someone new for example, you can act like you don’t know them, or you might talk about yourself nonstop. In these moments it's better not to talk at all, because it will seem awkward if someone tries to ask you questions and you're not listening or responding.

2. You interrupt others

Interruptions are the most annoying form of behavior that people can have in social interactions. You can be talking to someone and they’ll just go off on a tangent, saying their own thoughts. You might have already been sharing something and the other person isn't even paying attention.

This is because the other person is focused on what they're trying to say instead of being interested in you. It's especially important not to interrupt people when you’re first speaking to someone, because this will make them less interested in talking after you're done.

3. You don't ask questions

Whether you're trying to make a first impression or you're just trying to get to know someone better, it's important to ask questions. A good way to do this is by asking a few open ended questions that can lead the other person into talking about themselves. For example: What are your future plans?, Where do you see yourself in five years? are both good questions that lead people into talking more about themselves.

4. You don't work the room

When you first meet people, you should always work the room. This means that you should stand up and introduce yourself to everyone else in the room and tell them who you are. This will make it seem like you're a fun person and that you have a lot of important friends.

This can help build rapport with other people at the table, which can go a long way to making your interaction better. People will be more inclined to talk with you and find out more about you if they've already talked with someone who knows what they're like.

5. You talk too much

Talking too much can make your first impression seem boring or annoying so when it comes to first impressions, less is more. A good first impression is really about the other person, not you. It’s important to start off with joining in on the conversation and then letting them explain what they’re talking about to you. This will tell them that you're interested in them and it'll lead you into building rapport pretty quickly.

6. You're negative or hostile

This point is pretty straightforward if you act like a jerk or are generally negative, this will make your first impression stick and not in a good way. Being negative towards people who don't deserve it can be even worse than being rude, because especially when the other person doesn't know what they did to you yet they'll still feel like they're at fault.

If you’re trying to make a good impression, it's best to go into the interaction happy and positive. You don't need to be a positive person all the time, but at least try not to vent your negative emotions or have bad intentions.

7. You're unprofessional

Another major mistake that you can make when you're trying to create your first impression is by acting unprofessional which can range from wearing too casual clothes for an interview or not looking very put together in an interview, for example.

If someone thought that you were dressed inappropriately for the occasion or that didn't know why they should pay attention to what you're saying then they'll think something along the lines of: Wow I guess they don't really have what it takes to do a good job here.

8. You're vain

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you're first making an impression is being vain, because this can make it seem like you’re insecure and self-centered instead of confident.

For example, if someone touches your hair without permission or stares at your body the whole time, then this will turn people away from you and they might not be interested in talking to you again. Or if a new person makes a mistake and you point it out to their face, then this might make them feel bad about who they are and what they do.

9. You're disrespectful

Just as it's bad to be vain, it's also bad to be disrespectful. If you act like you’re better than someone when you don’t even know them, this can make people lose interest in talking to you and even dislike you for the way that you acted. For example, if a person is a little late for an appointment and they come into the room apologizing profusely, then it's best to be respectful and give them a second chance instead of being angry at them.

10. You don't use the right words

Speaking is one of the most important ways that you can make a good impression on others, whether it be at an interview or in your everyday life. When people talk to you, they're deciding if you're someone worth trusting and working with.

The way that you speak clearly shows them what kind of person you are and if they're going to like getting to know you so it's very important that your words sound clean, clear and confident. The same goes for situations where there are a lot of different people present for example, whether it's in an elevator or at a dinner party, it's more likely to make an impression if the right words have been spoken.

Finally

Making a great first impression is the best way to show yourself in a positive light and be remembered for who you are. When you make a good first impression, other people will like you more and want to spend more time with you which is why it's important not to mess it up by making these mistakes. Knowing the right things to do when people first meet you will help you make a good impression on others, which can help you get where you want in life.