“Oh, I try to reserve judgment until I really get to know a person.”

“Me? I’m not judgmental by nature; I keep an open mind when I meet someone.”

Heard statements like these before – or maybe uttered them yourself? We all have! We’re humans, after all, and humans simply cannot keep from making snap decisions, often based on subtle cues.

And you can thank evolution for that. Our brains are hardwired to quickly interpret behavior and make sense out of situations, to determine if they’re safe or dangerous – and then respond appropriately.

So, if you think that new co-worker, potential client or business contact isn’t judging you – hard – think again. What cues are they using to size you up? You may be surprised at the big impact these small things have:

The quality of your handshake.

Jerry Seinfeld performed an entire monologue on handshake fails: from the “just the fingers” to the “late release.” Yep, there’s an art to executing a solid handshake; one that’s firm (not crushing) and brief (two to three pumps) conveys confidence and demonstrates trustworthiness.

Eye contact.

Making a great impression requires balanced eye contact. Stare too long, and you’ll come across as intimidating; stare at the floor, and you’ll appear insecure or aloof. Studies show that maintaining appropriate (not glaring) eye contact roughly 60% of the time is the “sweet spot” for conveying self-assurance, friendliness and enthusiasm.

Nervous habits.

Do you tap your fingers on the table? Absentmindedly play with your hair? Bite your nails? Research suggests that repetitive, nervous habits indicate perfectionist tendencies, and that perfectionists display them when they’re bored or frustrated. Pay attention to small, repetitive behaviors you engage in, to make sure you aren’t unintentionally offending people you meet.

Phubbing.

“Phone snubbing” is the act of ignoring someone in a social situation by busying yourself with your phone. And it instantly turns people off. If you continually check your phone when you meet someone, they may assume you lack manners, attention, listening skills and/or willpower. Our advice? If you want to make a good impression, put your phone away and focus on the person in front of you.

Monopolizing a conversation.

If, when introduced to someone new, you spend the first five minutes prattling on about yourself, that individual will likely think you’re self-absorbed – maybe even obnoxious. Instead of focusing on yourself, ask questions about the person you’ve just met. Then, strike a healthy balance of give-and-take in the conversation. You’ll come across as an interesting person who’s attentive, smart and a good conversationalist.

Snap judgements and first impressions are inevitable, but they’re not the basis for sound hiring.

What is? A proven, disciplined and comprehensive assessment process – which happens to be our strong suit! Whether your requirements are local or national, temporary or direct-hire, we’re here to deliver the exact talent solution you need. How can we help you? Contact the Exact Family of Companies today.