How to Make a Great First Impression

Research by Princeton psychologist Alexander Todorov shows that people form judgments about your trustworthiness, competence, and likability within one-tenth of a second of seeing your face. Within 7 seconds of meeting you, they have formed an impression that is remarkably sticky, meaning it resists change even when contradicted by later evidence. This does not mean you are doomed by snap judgments. It means the first 7 seconds matter enormously, and you can control most of the signals you send during that window.

Arrive on Time or Five Minutes Early

Arriving late to a first meeting communicates that their time is less important than yours. Arriving exactly on time means you were rushed and may appear flustered. Arriving five minutes early puts you in a calm, composed state when the interaction begins.

Use those five minutes to settle in, check your appearance, take a few deep breaths, and shift your mental state from travel mode to engagement mode. When the other person arrives, you are relaxed and ready rather than apologizing and catching your breath.

The Handshake

A handshake is the first physical contact and carries disproportionate weight in first impressions.

Firmness. Match the other person’s grip strength. Too soft reads as passive. Too strong reads as domineering. A medium-firm grip that matches theirs signals confidence and equality.

Duration. Two to three seconds. Longer feels uncomfortable. Shorter feels dismissive.

Eye contact during the shake. Look them in the eyes and smile during the handshake. This combination of physical contact, eye contact, and warmth creates an immediate sense of connection.

Dry hands. If your hands tend to sweat when nervous, wipe them discreetly on your pants or jacket before the introduction.

In cultures or contexts where handshakes are not standard, match the local greeting norm (a bow, a nod, a wave) with the same warmth and eye contact.

Genuine Smile

A genuine smile (the Duchenne smile) involves both the mouth and the muscles around the eyes. People can instinctively tell the difference between a genuine smile and a polite one. A genuine smile signals warmth, openness, and approachability, all of which make the other person feel safe and welcomed.

The trick is to trigger a real smile rather than performing one. Think of something that genuinely makes you happy (a pet, a funny memory, the fact that you get to meet this person) in the second before the interaction begins. The smile that follows will be authentic.

Use Their Name Within 30 Seconds

Hearing your own name activates specific brain regions associated with self-identity. When someone uses your name in the first 30 seconds, you feel recognized and valued.

“Great to meet you, Sarah.” or “Sarah, thanks for making time today.”

This small gesture signals that you were paying attention during the introduction and that you view the interaction as personal, not transactional.

Ask About Them First

The most reliable way to make a great impression is to show genuine interest in the other person before talking about yourself. People overwhelmingly rate interactions more positively when the other person asked about them and listened.

“What brought you to this event?” “How did you get into your field?” “What are you working on that excites you?”

These questions shift the spotlight to the other person, which makes them feel valued and important. They also give you information that helps you find common ground and steer the conversation toward topics that engage them.

Dress One Level Above Expected

Dressing appropriately for the context signals awareness and respect. Dressing one level above expected (business casual when others are in casual, a collared shirt when others are in T-shirts) signals that you took the interaction seriously without being overdressed.

If you are unsure about the dress code, ask in advance or check social media photos from previous events. When in doubt, it is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. You can always remove a jacket or roll up your sleeves to adjust downward.

Body Language Checklist

The signals your body sends in the first 7 seconds matter as much as your words.

Upright posture. Stand tall with shoulders back and relaxed. Slouching communicates low energy or insecurity.

Open arms. Arms at your sides or gesturing naturally. Crossed arms signal defensiveness.

Slight forward lean. When the other person speaks, a subtle lean toward them signals interest and engagement.

Feet pointed toward the person. Your feet indicate where your attention is directed. Feet pointed away signal that you want to leave. Feet pointed toward the person signal engagement.

Moderate eye contact. Maintain eye contact 60 to 70 percent of the time. Less feels evasive. More feels intense.

The First Sentence

Your opening sentence does not need to be clever or impressive. It needs to be warm and relevant.

“It is great to meet you. I have heard excellent things about your work.” (Professional) “Thanks for hosting. Your place is beautiful.” (Social) “Hi, I am Jake. I do not think we have met.” (Event)

Simple, warm, and sincere beats creative and rehearsed every time.

Bottom Line

Arrive five minutes early. Firm handshake with eye contact for two to three seconds. Genuine smile. Use their name within 30 seconds. Ask about them before talking about yourself. Dress one level above expected. Upright posture, open arms, feet pointed toward them. People form impressions in 7 seconds, and you can control nearly every signal you send during that window.