In the business world, it is important to know how to make a great professional first impression. When you are meeting someone for the first time, they make their first impression of you within the first 15 seconds. What I find interesting, is virtually all of that first impression is non-verbal. With today’s weak ended economy and scarce job market, it is more important than ever to be prepared for those first meetings. Here are some great tips to help you navigate the proper etiquette for today’s business world.
How To Make A Great Professional First Impression
- Dress For Success: You don’t need to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. The way you dress is huge and if you aren’t dressed professionally, you will not be taken seriously. If you are on a tight budget, go to the thrift store! You can find great looking clothes that are absolutely suitable (hee hee) for the workplace. I remember interviewing a group of women for a secretarial position in my department and one woman came to the interview wearing a short shirt, a tank top, no pantyhose and high heeled shoes. Sadly, she was written off the list before our management team ever saw her resume.
- Grooming Counts: If you are dressed in a smart suit and are walking into an interview, you should be well groomed as well. Make sure your hair is neat; you have trimmed nails that are clean, shoes that are polished and pantyhose with no runs,
- Greeting: A sincere smile and a firm handshake will take you far in the business world. We have all heard the rule about a firm handshake versus a weak one, and I have found it to be 100% true. While shaking someone’s hand, look them directly in the eye (unless of course you are in a situation where that is not part of one’s culture. Don’t forget to brush and floss those pearly whites!
- Resumes and Business Cards: There are rules about how your resume should look, the paper you use and how it is presented. Always carry your most current resume in a folder, have it printed on a velum paper in a neutral tone and do not fold it. If you aren’t sure how your resume should look, there are tons of websites and software that will help you with that. It is a good idea to have a business card to go along with your resume and it is acceptable to paper clip one in the upper right corner of the resume. If you don’t have a business card, you can have one custom made for you at Zazzle. By using premium card stock, high quality inks and cutting edge technology, you can get a smart looking card for a smart price.  You can stay up to date with Zazzle by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.
Business Cards That Stand Out
If you want to be remembered in an interview, business cards that stand out will help. When I was invited to attend a convention this month in Las Vegas, I knew I needed business cards. I haven’t had business cards in quite a while and when I saw the huge variety of options offered by Zazzle, I knew they were the place to go! The process was very easy to follow when I created my cards. You can choose from the ton of templates Zazzle offers or if you have a logo you want to use, you can do that as well. I decided on a simple font with black ink and the logo from the blog I am representing.  I received 200 cards ($20.40 per 100) and they look and feel fantastic. The card stock is a great weight and it has a bit of a slick feel which I love. The logo turned out perfect and the font is understated yet professional. I also decided to order the quirky Funny Girly Colorful Patterns Mustaches Mug ($17.95). I am looking forward to drinking my morning cup of coffee in my new mug and then handing out my rocking new cards to all the contacts I will meet!
One reader will win a mug of their choice ($17.95)
The Sushi Oishii (Blue) Laptop Bag looks very nice!
Photo case
I like the Cute alphabet with illustrations poster
Vintage Mickey Mouse T-Shirt
Hipster case
I also like the Funny cute black tall Giraffe & hipster long neck Kindle Keyboard Case
Honey Badger Don’t Care Rickshaw Messenger Bag
I love the Beautiful Pink Flowers Wristlet Clutch!
I want, no-NEED the Princess coffee mug.
The case able kindle folio
I like the owl binder
The red and black dog bowl
The Happy Faces Music Notes Hoodie is my favorite product.
I like the personalized pacifiers.
Cute dolphin, glitter pink photo print mugs
I like the Skulls and Bacon Hoodie.
I like the Mickey And Friends Sneaky Pete Oil Can Tee Shirt.
My fave is the Chihuahua T-Shirt 🙂
I like the Bow Wow Doggie Bones Colorful Red and Black Dog Water Bowls
The business cards look great !
the vintage mickey mouse t shirt is my favorite
Love the vintage New York posters!
I love Case-Mate iPhone 5 Barely There Universal Case in zen…perfect!
I like the Epic Mug O’ Coffee mug
I like the Beagle Pair – Starry Night Coffee Mugs
tea time mug
http://www.zazzle.com/vintage_mickey_mouse_2_shirt-235998560612018103
THere are a lot of favorites — but I love the Lower Manhattan Skyscape poster!
I love the elephant and heart shaped balloon mug!
Heart of New York City: 1908 Poster
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
i like the I love you to the moon and back necklace thanks
I like thw deck of cards with art pictures on them.
Love the journals!
Tropical Paradise Beach Bone China Mugs
snow leopard pattern iphone 5 barely there case iPhone 5 cases
Bone China Mug – Wonderland
I like the Ehlers-Danlos Awarness T shirts!
I love the elephant and heart shaped balloon mug!
My favorite product is the Jack Russell Terrier Mom 2 Tank Top.
Black and White design, custom text. Dog Food Bowls
Super cute – love the custom iphone pink polka dot cases
http://www.zazzle.com/procrastination_t_shirt-235161499235989986
there are quite a few good products
I like the Grumpy Cat Glare Messenger Bag.
i like the cards and then i like the key rings and cup
Angels of the Wolf pinpack button.
In the posters black and white section. I like the untitled poster
I like the custom aprons!
good journals
The Washington Arch. New York. Vintage Painting. Print
I like their journals/notebooks. Esp. the “Cute Narwhal Spiral Notebook.”
I like the fine art playing cards!
i love the police box iphone case.
.Disney Princesses 11 Mug
I like the Damask Teal Black Throw Pillow
I love the buttons to the moon (chocolate) bag for laptop
i like the moon phases mug.
I like the Penguin Eyes Throw Pillow.
buttons to the moon (chocolate) bag for laptop
i like the van gogh wall clock
I like this wristlet: http://www.zazzle.com/funny_girly_colorful_patterns_mustaches_bag-223009451630512269
pet bowls
i love the monogram laptop bags
Skulls thermal cup mug
I loved the Paris iphone 4 case
I like their pet bowls. Thank you
I like the baby gear I created.
Cute Aqua Brown Gold Floral Vector Stretched Canvas Prints
I like the Love Paw Pet Bowl Dog Water Bowls
apple blossom pet bowl
my favourite is the moon phase mug!
More Than A Zombie Loves Brains Coffee Mug
i like the grey black and white musical notes score commuter bag
All this stuff is sooo cute! But would love grumpy cat anything.
Love Love Love this Mug –
http://www.zazzle.com/faux_hot_pink_glitter_mug-168095588073050863
electric coffee mug pair!
I like the IF YOU THINK I’M GOOD LOOKING YOU SHOULD SEE MY… T SHIRT
I love the love tees
I like the Abstract Red Orange Vector Pattern Messenger Bag
I LOVE this cute little Owl Postcard: http://www.zazzle.com/owl_love_iii_post_card-239540181744766423
The happy birthday t-shirt
I love the stationery from scribbleprints, like this postcard: http://www.zazzle.com/byrons_lady_postcard-239454938944721973
Year of the Snake stamps.
I like the classic Winnie the Pooh and Piglet posters.
The Happy Day T-Shirt.
Thanks for the chance.
My favorite product is the Baby Monkey Riding Backwards on a pig pet bowl.
I like the Camo Iphone case.
FawazO Tree of life t-shirt
Love this Tshirt: http://www.zazzle.com/i_ate_some_pie_tee_shirt-235238992695316239
I love their Eclectus Pair Coffee Mug.
PARP? HOODED PULLOVERS in light blue!
I like the “As seen in your dreams” t-shirt.
Grunge UK Mug
My favorites are the baby t-shirts with the Van Gogh prints like the Vase Twelve Sunflowers Vintage shirt.
I like the messenger bag.
I like the messenger bag.
I like the pink trucker baseball hat 🙂
The Zodiac Killer Coffee Mug.
Hope to win!
A mug and a warm hot chocolate especially on such a snowy day.
I like the Slytherin Crest Green Mug.
I absolutely adore this poster: http://www.zazzle.com/the_poisoner_poster-228383540351618854
First saw it on Etsy…it was on my desktop background for quite a while (I asked the artist permission and offered to pay her for it). She sold the original of this to help clean-up efforts in the gulf.
I like a lot of their stuff, but a favorite is the http://www.zazzle.com/be_rational_get_real_tshirt-235587042642435072
seasonal gifts.
seasonal gifts.
i like their ipad cases
I like the seasonal gifts.
looks nice .
I like create your own laptop bag
I like this messenger bag-
http://www.zazzle.com/cute_black_white_penguin_and_funny_mustache_messenger_bag-210835710581725889
I like the I Got Your Back! Mug
OMG i love that mustache coffee cup! I would so use that!!
I love the Initial Love Necklace! So cute!