10 decisions that people make about you in 30 seconds by Eve Michaels

12 May, 2014

A negative first blush is the worst. Image studies have shown that if we make a negative first impression, it takes about forty-five minutes of visualize talking to undo the damage. Now tell me who, in this fast-paced world, will give you forty-five minutes of their time for you to undo a negative first blush? In the Adult world, we don’t get “do-overs”, especially not in business. Sadly, many people don’t realize what their aspect is saying.
Your appearance sends signals to others about who you are, how you feel, and gives us a sense of your values and aspirations. Looking our best makes us feel better and function better; it also shows respect for those around us. When is your appearance good enough? When is it on point? The answer is when people easily get who you are; when you don’t feel resistance to you or your ideas; when you are received in a way that you want to be; or better, when your image helps you achieve your goals by working for you, not against you.
When your image is on point you will be respected for your professional expertise and doors will open wide instead of close in your face.

Here are 10 decisions people make about you in 30 seconds or less.

1. Economic level
2. Education
3. Trustworthiness
4. Social position
5. Your level of sophistication
6. Economic heritage
7. Social heritage
8. Educational heritage
9. Success
10. Moral character

Really? Seems unfair, right? I didn’t make the rules, but I sure know how to play by them. ABC did a two-part special called “Lookism” many years ago. It was an undercover, hiddencamera expose about the prejudices associated with image. ABC sent out two couples for job interviews. One man and one woman were each very well dressed and attractive; the other man and woman were not nearly as well dress, had average appearances, and were not as physically attractive. The second pair was actually more qualified for the job, but it was the better looking, well-dressed man and woman who got hired on the spot and offered higher pay and better benefits packages. When the people who hired them were asked point blank if they hired them because they looked better, they emphatically said no. They said they looked more qualified, had the look that they wanted to represent their company, and seemed more confident and able to do the job! People should like us, for who we are, right? Life, unfortunately, is too hectic with too much competition for that to ever happen.

As Susan Bixler once said: “If you want the job, you have to look the part. If you want to be promoted, you have to look promotable. If you want respect, you have to dress as well or better than your industry standards.” Susan is right, you’d be better off acknowledging the reality of what your image is saying, good or bad, and then fix it. Never forget that perception is directly connected to reception. If communication is image, what is the language it speaks? You never get a second chance to make a good, first impression; so make it good the first time!

Eve Michaels
http://evemichaels.com