First impressions count

Face-to-face interactions are becoming less frequent, making it more crucial than ever before to make a good first impression. Beginning an occasional column by ILENE AMIEL.

WHY is appearance so important? Shouldn't we be judged by who we are on the inside and what we have done with our lives? I wish it was that simple but it isn't.

Social psychologists studying the impact of image have determined that someone meeting you for the first time will make up to 10 decisions or judgments about you within the first 30 seconds. These include your economic and educational levels, trustworthiness, social position, level of sophistication, economic heritage, social heritage, success and moral character.

When meeting someone new, we have limited information about them and look for clues to fill in the blanks. The "clues" that are used to base these opinions on are appearance, voice and words. A research study by Professor Albert Mehrabin entitled "Silent Messages" has proven convincingly that visual images matter a great deal. He found that the impact we make on each other depends - 55 per cent on our appearance, 38 per cent on our voice and seven per cent on what we say.

Imagine the following scenario in which you are going to meet someone new. You walk in, extend your hand to greet him/her, smile and shake hands. While you are introducing yourself, the other person is instantly deciding whether or not they like and trust you. This is human nature; people all over the world from different cultures act the same way. Some people might not be conscious of these thoughts but most people remember their initial impression of others. To be successful in almost any area, you must be sure these decisions about you are favourable. If the impression that you made on someone was negative, it could take up to seven more in-person meetings to change their perception of you. Have you ever heard the expression, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression?"

In the 21st Century, face-to-face interactions are becoming less frequent and brief. Phones, e-mail, computers, faxes and Federal Express have replaced the old fashioned way of communicating in person. Therefore, it is even more crucial than ever before to make a good first impression.

To make a good first impression, consider the three key elements. The handshake, eye contact and your appearance. How would you describe you handshake? Is it firm, bone crushing or like a jellyfish? Eye contact - do you look directly at the other person's face or downwards? Your appearance - are you always dressed and groomed impeccably? If you are becoming aware that there are some areas that need improvement, you are off to a good start. I have found that the difference between being dressed and well dressed lies in the details. This includes all areas of fit and grooming. The best place to begin checking to see how well dressed you are is at the top.

For men, begin by examining your hair. Is the cut/style flattering and upto date? Did you put the right amount of oil in your hair or too much? Do your clothes fit properly? Do the shoulders on your suit jacket fit properly? If the shoulders are wider than your own, it may be the wrong size. When buying suits or sports jackets, start by finding a jacket with shoulders that fit properly. Does your shirt fit well or is it too baggy? Does it look like it belongs to someone larger in size? Is your shirt tucked in your pants? One of the biggest image killer is the untucked shirt. This creates a sloppy look. How about your pants? Are your pants tootoo tight? If you see horizonal folds in the fabric, then the answer is yes. Are they clean and pressed with a crease? Are your pants too short? When standing, you should not be able to see your sock colour or the top of the back of your shoes. Does your socks reach at least mid calf? When crossing your legs, others should not be able to see the skin on your legs. Have you coordinated your socks, pants and shoes? The rule of thumb is that your socks should match either your shoe colour or your pant colour. Are your shoes polished and in good condition? Finally, the most important part of your personal image - cleanliness. Using good judgment in personal hygiene conveys that you respect yourself and consequently others. It is best to shave, shower, brush your teeth and use deodorant every day.

For most women, your hair is considered your crowning glory. Make sure to keep hair cut, styled and neat at all times. Makeup should be used in moderation and not overpower the face beneath. You should always choose clothing in colours that are flattering and complimentary to your complexion. Sometimes the colours that we choose are not flattering to our colouring. Your clothing should always fit properly. Careful consideration should be used when buying trendy clothing. Clothing styles and colours change every season. When building a wardrobe, it is always better to choose traditional colours to start.

Women need to be aware of the appropriate skirt length. Since hemlines move up two inches when you sit, you must make sure the dress/skirt is only one to two inches above your knee. When skirts are too short, it is distracting and diminishes your credibility. Shoes should always be the same colour as your hemline or darker. They should never be a lighter colour because it draws attention to your feet. Shoes need to be polished and in good condition at all times.

Finally, everyone should own a full-length mirror. It is the best investment to ensure that you always make a great first and last impression.

E-mail the writer at iamiel@BusinessCasualDress.com

Ilene Amiel is a professional image consultant with 10 years of experience teaching seminars on Professional Image and Business Casual Dress for corporations and organisations. She spent 10 years working as an account manager at various international advertising agencies in New York City.

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