{"id":477,"date":"2022-09-14T08:23:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T08:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/?p=477"},"modified":"2022-09-14T08:23:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T08:23:47","slug":"making-a-good-first-impression-tips-for-building-rapport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/making-a-good-first-impression-tips-for-building-rapport\/","title":{"rendered":"Making a good first impression \u2013 tips for building rapport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s your time to shine, so how do you make a good impression? Whether you\u2019ve secured an interview for your dream job, or scheduled diary time with a new client, it&#8217;s important to make a good first (and lasting) impression to guarantee success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologicalscience.org\/observer\/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to researchers<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it takes just seven seconds to make a first impression on someone. A further statistic claims it takes only a tenth of a second to form an impression of someone from their face. That\u2019s both interesting and terrifying, considering body language and non-verbal communication reportedly make up over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/blog\/beyond-words\/201109\/is-nonverbal-communication-numbers-game\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">90% of how we communicate<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When it comes to the impression we\u2019re making, there are things we\u2019re conscious of \u2013 what we choose to wear, what we say \u2013 but also things which happen more subconsciously and need you to tune in to influence them. To start you off on the right foot and help you stand out for all the right reasons, here are some top tips to help you consciously make the right decisions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to make a good first impression<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do your research<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Before your meeting, research the organisation or person to improve your knowledge and confidence. Social media is your best friend here; check LinkedIn and Twitter profiles: photos, interests, and experience. This will also help you build rapport with them, which we discuss later in this blog.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use the art of body language. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Everybody feels they\u2019re an expert when it comes to body language, and people can be quick to judge your appearance, so be mindful of this. Your posture is extremely important; sitting forward, maintaining good eye contact and gesturing, are all ways to show you mean business. Remember that smiles are infectious and help to put people at ease, along with the offer of a firm handshake (or elbow bump &#8211; whatever goes post-COVID!).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fight the frown.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> It\u2019s difficult to be happy and confident when we&#8217;re nervous or have had a terrible morning, but a frown or look of anxiety can reflect badly on the impression you are trying to make. Observe your facial expressions in front of a mirror (it never lies) and practice smiling. You could also ask a trusted colleague to give you some feedback.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use the magic of your voice. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Speaking with good volume and using colour in your communication style through the power of pace and variation in tone \u2013 what we refer to as <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the music in your voice<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, are ways to show authority. If you find yourself speaking too quickly, ask for glass of water to slow you down and buy yourself time to think.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to build rapport<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, you\u2019ve established a good first impression. How do you build on that momentum and develop great rapport?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rapport is all about being on the same wavelength as the other person. Here are some things to consider:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Body language<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Maintaining eye contact is key for establishing rapport face-to-face, along with mirroring facial expressions and body gestures. When on the phone, try using verbal nods such as \u2018uh huh\u2019 and repeating back phrases to show you are listening \u2013 the verbal version of mirroring. More on active listening in our next blog.<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Energy. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When someone is passionate about something, they tend to speak quicker and it\u2019s important that you match this pace if possible. A lower tone of voice can be interpreted as boring and monotonous, so try to keep the energy upbeat. That said, be mindful if someone speaks slower and lower, it could mean they are being reflective. <\/span><br \/>\n<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Content. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When it comes to what you say, know your audience. This is where the research from the first part of this blog comes in. Don\u2019t use jargon unless you can clearly explain it, or you could risk losing your audience.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Explore using active listening and questioning techniques to build a good rapport <a href=\"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/?p=482&amp;preview=true\">here<\/a><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/contact.php\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cube Learning and Development<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> delivers tailor-made training and development programmes for your teams along with personal coaching to help with effective communication and presentation. For a no-obligation chat about this and our other training, call Chris Burton on 07879 602002.\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0Featured image https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@erictang2769<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s your time to shine, so how do you make a good impression? Whether you\u2019ve secured an interview for your dream job, or scheduled diary time with a new client, it&#8217;s important to make a good first (and lasting) impression to guarantee success.\u00a0 According to researchers, it takes just seven seconds to make a first impression on someone. A further statistic claims it takes only a tenth of a second to form an impression of someone from their face. That\u2019s both interesting and terrifying, considering body language and non-verbal communication<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,144,10,143],"tags":[126,83,131,85,124,127,129,128,123,132,125,130],"class_list":["post-477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-moves","category-customer-service-skills","category-personal-coaching","category-personal-development","tag-body-language","tag-content","tag-energy","tag-factual-content","tag-good-impression","tag-influence","tag-rapport","tag-research","tag-shine","tag-stand-out","tag-success","tag-wavelength"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=477"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":491,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477\/revisions\/491"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cube-ld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}