7 First Impression Tips to Make a Lasting Impact

Introduction

When meeting someone new, we instantly form an opinion—friendly or cold, competent or clueless, trustworthy or suspicious. These rapid evaluations, known as first impressions, occur in as little as 100 milliseconds (Willis & Todorov, 2006).

Understanding first impressions helps us navigate social and professional interactions more effectively. For example, knowing how your body language or tone is perceived can make interviews, networking, or presentations much more successful.

Read More: Willis & Todorov, 2006 study

What Are First Impressions?

A first impression is an initial judgment based on limited information:

• Appearance
• Facial expressions
• Body language
• Voice tone
• Context

These snap evaluations happen automatically and unconsciously, helping us make quick social decisions.

Example: Meeting someone in a professional setting, their posture and handshake immediately influence your perception of competence and confidence.

Read More: Overthinking

Why the Brain Forms First Impressions Quickly

The human brain evolved to make rapid judgments for survival. Quickly assessing friend vs. foe had obvious advantages.

Today, these judgments help:

• Navigate social interactions
• Predict behavior
• Reduce mental effort

Even if sometimes inaccurate, snap judgments save cognitive energy (Kahneman, 2011).

Mini Example: In networking events, noticing a confident smile and firm handshake often predicts a positive conversation outcome.

The Halo Effect and First Impressions

The halo effect occurs when one positive trait influences overall judgment.

Examples:

• Attractive candidates rated as more competent during interviews (Dion et al., 1972)
• Confident speakers assumed to have knowledge
• Well-dressed individuals perceived as successful

Understanding this bias helps you control which traits you emphasize during first encounters.

Read More: Cognitive Bias

Appearance and Attractiveness Bias

Physical appearance strongly shapes first impressions. Research shows attractive people are often:

• Rated more likable
• Considered competent
• Given more opportunities

Tip: Dress appropriately for context, maintain grooming, and adopt open posture to enhance positive perception.

Facial Features and Trustworthiness

Facial cues affect judgments of trustworthiness, often inaccurately. Features associated with trust:

• Large eyes
• Symmetrical faces
• Relaxed expressions

Mini Case: People often trust smiling individuals in short encounters, even if their expertise is unknown (Todorov et al., 2008).

The Primacy Effect

The primacy effect means we give more weight to initial information.

• Seek confirming evidence
• Ignore contradictory information
• Reinterpret behavior to fit first impressions

Tip: Plan first interactions strategically—greeting, body language, and tone matter most in the first 30 seconds.

Accuracy of First Impressions

Sometimes accurate:

• Extraversion
• Emotional state
• Confidence

Often inaccurate:

• Intelligence
• Morality
• Long-term behavior

Mini Example: Ambady & Rosenthal (1992) found a 5-second silent video could predict teacher evaluations with 70% accuracy, but complex traits were harder to judge.

Cultural Differences in First Impressions

Cultural norms affect perception:

• Eye contact: confidence in the US, disrespect in Japan
• Smiling: warmth in Mexico, superficiality in Russia
• Silence: thoughtfulness in Nordic countries, awkwardness in Mediterranean

Tip: Learn cultural context to reduce misinterpretation.

Can First Impressions Be Changed?

Yes, but it requires:

• Time
• Consistent counterevidence
• Conscious reflection

People revise impressions when motivated and aware of biases.

Mini Example: If someone seems cold initially, repeated friendly interactions over weeks can change perception.

How to Improve Your First Impressions

7 Practical Strategies to improve your first impression include:

1. Open body language
2. Genuine eye contact
3. Active listening
4. Calm, confident speech
5. Authenticity over performance
6. Smile genuinely
7. Dress appropriately

Tip: Prepare topics for small talk and match tone/energy with the other person.

Read More: Effective Communication

First Impressions Questions

Q: Can first impressions be fully trusted?
A: No. Snap judgments are quick but often inaccurate for complex traits.

Q: How long does it take to change a first impression?
A: Usually weeks or months, depending on consistent counterevidence and conscious effort.

Q: Why do first impressions matter?
A: They shape initial social interactions, influencing opportunities in work, school, and personal life.

Conclusion

First impressions shape social interactions, helping us navigate life quickly but often sacrificing accuracy. Recognizing their influence allows us to:

• Question judgments

• Slow down thinking

• Give people a fair second look

Wisdom sometimes means resisting the urge to judge too quickly.

References

Ambady, N., & Rosenthal, R. (1992). Thin slices of expressive behavior as predictors of interpersonal consequences. Psychological Bulletin, 111(2), 256–274.

Barrick, M. R., Swider, B. W., & Stewart, G. L. (2012). Initial impressions and interview outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(6), 1168–1184.

Dion, K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 24(3), 285–290.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Rosenthal, R., & Jacobson, L. (1968). Pygmalion in the classroom. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

Thorndike, E. L. (1920). A constant error in psychological ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(1), 25–29.

Todorov, A., Pakrashi, M., & Oosterhof, N. N. (2008). Evaluating faces on trustworthiness. Psychological Science, 19(10), 1027–1034.

Willis, J., & Todorov, A. (2006). First impressions: Making up your mind after a 100-ms exposure. Psychological Science, 17(7), 592–598.