Like it or not, there are situations in life where it is important to make a good first impression . If you want to get that job you want so badly, or not throw away the first date with the guy or girl you’ve spent so many hours pining for, you’d better keep reading this article.

Because, in this kind of situation, you probably only get one chance to project a good impression. People form opinions about each other within a few minutes, and that’s why you should be prepared to show your best version . This doesn’t mean that you should pretend to be a top executive when you’re not. But still, being yourself, attitude or nerves can play tricks on you.

Science has shown that the first impression is made in only seven seconds from the time you meet someone . Therefore, when you meet new people, you get a quick scan of your smile, the way you shake hands, the way you introduce yourself, and so on. As the minutes go by, they think about whether you are trustworthy, whether you are genuinely a good person, whether they want to keep meeting you or whether they want to keep working with you. As you can see, many questions are answered in those critical minutes. What they see of you and what you make them feel will determine whether they continue to have contact with you or not.

Tips for making a good first impression

People can forget what you said. People can forget what you’ve done. But they will never forget how you made them feel . Think about it for a few seconds, you too make a first impression of the people you meet for the first time, so you should know that.

To prevent this from happening to you, we invite you to follow these tips.

1. Be on time

First of all, you must be on time. Nobody likes the person they are meeting to be late , especially not if it is a job interview. Be aware of this and give yourself enough time to be on time, otherwise you may not get a second chance.

2. Observe body language

Your body language speaks silently about you. Several studies have shown that it is four times more important than the things you can say . Looking the person in the eye while you are talking to them or shaking their hand firmly is important to make a good first impression.

3. Smile

Although smiling has to do with body language, separating it from the previous point is important to remember it. You do not need to show your teeth, but there is nothing that creates a better impression than a big smile . Try not to move from the smile to the seriousness too quickly, as it will seem that you are forcing it. The key is naturalness.

4. Relax

Posture is important to show good body language, but don’t look like a robot when you try to control it . Sit upright, but don’t be so rigid that you force the situation. Relax and don’t be nervous, enjoy the moment.

5. Be yourself

Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, because it might show. So be yourself . This may sound like a cliché but it’s the truth. So try not to lie, because if you get caught you’ll be marked as a liar.

6. Be positive

Your attitude shows in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even if you receive criticism or are nervous . If you have an interview or a meeting with that special someone, you should think that if for some reason the situation doesn’t turn out the way you wanted, it will be a great learning experience.

7. Trust yourself

This point brings together all the previous ones, because if you trust yourself, your body language projects it: you smile more, you shake hands more firmly, you are relaxed, etc. Consequently, it is not only a matter of showing yourself relaxed in a forced way, but you must also value yourself. If not, you may succeed in the first encounter, but little by little your lack of confidence will gain ground.

8. Be open and humble

humility is one of the values that we humans most cherish. Try not to be arrogant and be open to others . That creates confidence, and a good rapport. A big ego can create rejection, so if you want to be liked quickly, show yourself as a humble and respectful person.

9. Highlight your features

We have something unique to offer. Perhaps you are an expert in a branch of knowledge that generates curiosity in others, or you have a great sense of humor. If you don’t know what you can offer yet, you’d better do some self-knowledge work right now . However, it is not the same to seduce a girl or a boy as to seduce an interviewer for a job. So you must also take into account the situation at the time.

10. Be empathetic

To get along with others, you have to be empathetic. This means that if you observe the situation from the point of view of others, you will be closer to knowing exactly how to act and make a good impression on that person.

Bonus: Dress for the situation

You should try to be yourself whenever you can. But there are many times when you have to show a certain image. For example, if you are applying for a position in a multinational company you should use a serious look . In this case, you should identify the needs of the situation and, if you really want that position, dress in the right way .