First Impressions Count Lesley Woods Erica Lane

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First Impressions CountLesley WoodsErica Lane
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Who are we?
Lesley Woods People and Development Manager
(Brisbane)

• Recruiting in law firms for over 12 years
• Lectured at university to law graduates
• Reviewed thousands of CVs
• Attended many cocktail parties, graduate
  functions, events and career fairs
• HR Manager

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Who are we?
Erica Lane HR Consultant (Brisbane)

• Over 10 years recruitment experience
• Qualified in HR, Training Development and OHS
• Works in a top tier law firm with a professional
  services background
• Reviewed thousands of CVs

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Agenda

• Making a good first impression
• Before the meeting
• The handshake
• The look
• Body language
• Networking tips

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Making a good first impression

• 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 demeanour, your mannerisms,
  and how you are dressed

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The First Impression

• It's important to always remember that the
  initial impression you leave is critical.
• It could be the determining factor in winning a
  job, a client or the confidence of a supervising
  partner
• The key is portraying confidence, whether it's
  corresponding back to an e-mail, on the phone, or
  in person
• Many are unsure about correct behaviour and good
  manners in the workplace because standards and
  expectations are rarely expressly stated
• So you need to be prepared always

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Before the meeting

• Phone conversation
• Email
• Application covering letter and resume
• Be prepared
• Be on time

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The Handshake

• Start with eye contact and a smile
• Firm, not strong
• Up and down, not back and forth
• Duration (3 seconds)

Do you believe....
You are judged by the quality of your handshake?
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The Handshake

• Do you have
• the tipsy finger?
• the sweaty palms?
• the wet fish?
• the squeeze?
• the homey?
• Have a practice

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Dress

• Dress the part. Not only does this make you feel
  more confident, but it conveys to people you are
  someone who cares about yourself.
• Be comfortable
• Clean and tidy appearance
• Good grooming
• neat and tidy hair
• tidy facial hair
• subtle make up
• ironed shirt
• non-laddered stockings

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What not to wear

• Clothing that is particularly tight-fitting, low
  cut or bares mid-riffs
• Torn or casual denim attire
• Singlets and tops with minimal or no straps
• Clothing with rips or holes
• Sneakers, casual sandals and thongs.

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Body Language

• No matter what you say verbally, it's important
  to realise that your body language how you
  communicate using facial expressions, body
  movements and hand gestures can speak volumes

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Body Language

• Positive body language is
• making direct eye contact (truthful, confident)
• sitting in an upright position (alert,
  interested)
• loosely clenched hands (relaxed, confident)
• palms facing downwards (willing to listen and
  take instructions)
• slightly leaning forward (willing to listen,
  attentive)

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Body Language

• Negative body language is
• rolling your eyes (impatient, frustrated)
• arms crossed (defensive)
• avoiding eye contact (unsure, untruthful)
• slouching (disinterested)
• finger tapping (impatience, disinterested)
• yawning (bored)
• tightly clenched hands (discomfort, frustration)

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Networking Events

• Go to as many as events as you can
• Know the purpose of the event
• Be enthusiastic and positive
• Approach people
• Have meaningful conversations with few rather
  than 5 second conversations with many
• Be polite, introduce others
• Remember names
• Ask questions

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Summary

• Be on time!
• Be yourself, Be at ease
• Present yourself appropriately
• Be positive
• Be courteous and attentive
• Treat everyone the same
• Attend social functions
• Understand different personalities and adapt

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