In business, like in life, you never get a second chance at a first impression. So make it count! They did a study of 100 people at Princeton University and found that it takes our brains a tenth of a second to make an opinion about somebody. A TENTH of a second! You do it too, even when you don’t realize you are.
What does that mean in business? The initial assessment they make of you will strictly be about your looks, so you have to make it count. Don’t show up looking sloppy, hair not done, wearing right clothes. You need to look professional and successful. If I told you to close your eyes and picture a successful person, THAT’S who you should be emulating.
You don’t want to be having to dig yourself out of a theoretical hole the entire meeting just based on your look. The sale is hard enough to get, so don’t let the fact that you under-dressed or didn’t do your hair stand in the way.
Tips on making a good first impression:
Wear a full suit (tie optional)
Give a firm handshake and make eye contact (probably most important)
Do your hair
Put on some (emphasis on some) cologne/perfume
Wear a nice watch
Stand straight up, don’t slouch
Don’t be the “typical millennial” and look at your phone in the waiting room. Just sit there and take in the entire vibe of the place. Maybe something will even catch your eye like and award that can be a conversation starter
Relax and have fun with it! At the end of the day, no one is dying and it’s not rocket science. People want to do business with people they like and have fun with, so lighten up and let your personality show through! Your confidence will show as well