Have you ever noticed what kind of people attract you?
Usually, they’re those who share our views, goals, or mindset.
But the two groups that truly fascinate us are: those who mirror us, and those who irritate us.
We’ll talk about the second group later — today’s focus is on those who imitate us and how first impressions work.
🧠 The Soft Skill That Defines Everything
The ability to win people’s sympathy quickly is one of the ultimate soft skills.
It’s easy to be liked by those who know us.
But creating a strong, positive first impression with strangers — that’s an art.
There’s no magic here — just methods most people ignore because of lack of time, motivation, or awareness.
💡 The LBTB Rule — Like, Believe, Trust, Buy
Before any meeting or interview:
- learn about the company and its products;
- research your interviewer’s background;
- understand their expertise and likely discussion areas.
🔹 LIKE — Create Sympathy
✨ Dress appropriately.
No three-piece suits at an IT developer interview.
✨ Control gestures and facial expressions.
Stand before a mirror, say “Hello, my name is…,” and smile.
✨ Rehearse your first three sentences — that’s how professional speakers warm up.
🔹 BELIEVE — Show Confidence
🤝 Shake hands firmly, with brief eye contact.
Don’t stare — it signals aggression.
👐 Keep gestures open.
Crossed arms say “I’m closed.”
Hands on knees say “I’ll agree to anything.”
🙂 Smile, even in tense moments.
If negativity rises, keep calm and suggest rescheduling.
🔹 TRUST — Earn Reliability
🗣 Avoid negative framing.
Say “Do I understand correctly that…” instead of “I didn’t get you.”
👀 Show genuine interest — mention a small detail you liked about the company.
😌 Don’t interrupt.
Breathe, listen, and answer thoughtfully.
🔹 BUY — Make Them Choose You
🎯 Accept different opinions gracefully.
The goal is not to win — it’s to achieve outcomes.
🔥 Be prepared to explain why you want this job or collaboration.
Your response should align with company values and your personal goals.
🧩 How I Train First Impressions
In my workshops, candidates act as interviewers, and I’m the applicant.
They study my profile and company, prepare questions, and evaluate whether they’d hire me afterward.
This method proves that first impressions can be trained — it’s not charisma, it’s preparation and self-awareness.
It once helped me, and now helps my students succeed.
Stay tuned — next time we’ll talk about deeper, transformational techniques for mastering first impressions.