How can you make a lasting impression

I try to make eye contact and approach to meet with a firm handshake right away, without hesitation. I also ask questions and listen very carefully to the answer. I always try to provide value based on the discussion and do not expect anything back in return. People appreciate a genuine approach and like to feel that somebody new is really invested in what they have to say. Everyone has been lied to and taken advantage of at some point in their lives. We are so aware these days that almost everyone can spot a liar or someone who wants to take advantage of them.

People can sense when others are genuine. They can also sense when someone is trying to sell them something. Do your best to find a happy medium with new people you encounter. Show interest in them, ask them questions, and be open and vulnerable about yourself.

This will create a bridge to being friendly and relatable. Walk with your chest held high. For particularly high-stakes meetings, it may also be worthwhile to videotape yourself ahead of time so you can see how the other person will view you, adds Johnson.

Observing yourself in this way will help you identify how you can improve your delivery. The next task is to translate those compliments to something measurable. If, for instance, colleagues say you are a great people manager, seek out metrics to support that idea. Perhaps your direct reports tend to get promoted faster or your team is more productive.

Finding out what you have in common with the person might require a bit of detective work on your part.

Look for clues about things like a devotion for a certain sports team, a love for a region of the world, or an admiration for a particular historical figure. So try to draw out the other person. To do this, you have to stop interrupting, listen for feelings, repeat what you heard back to the person, acknowledge what the person said, and look for nonverbal clues.

Carnegie says that "once you know what matters to others through a practice of longer listening, you can then truly engage them by putting such manners at the forefront of your interactions. If you're talking business, this process is about putting the customer back into customer relationship management.

If you go out of your way for someone else, there will be a good chance that they'll do the same for you. The only way to do this is by constantly adding meaning and value.

For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie. Ruden mhc. Ask a Meaningful Question Leave the interviewer, employer or professional that you are chatting with, with a thoughtful question that demonstrates your genuine interest in learning more about them and their profession.

Go beyond professionalism Although you are in a professional environment, there are more characteristics to an individual than their professional aspects of the job.