Monday, January 27, 2014

How to Make a Good First Impression

Since college classes began this quarter, Mrs. Goldbach has been reminding you that we don't want you to be a victim in the college process; in other words, we don't want the process to happen to you.  We want you to be proactive and take charge of your own college search.

Part of taking charge means being prepared when speaking to a college admissions rep.  You'll want to make a good first impression, and you will want to be prepared and have questions ready.  You also need to remember to smile!  But what is the #1 tip in the article "10 Proven Ways to Make A Good First Impression?" It's the "Elevator Speech' of course, the first thing we discussed in our first class.  Having a prepared introduction will not only make you feel more comfortable, but it can also put the other person at ease.

For some people, tip #4 - Avoid Slang - may be the most difficult, but the speech you use with your friends may not be the best way to speak to an interviewer. (Stop saying "like" so much!)

The best part about this list is that you can apply the tips to more than the college search.  Take time to read the attached article and see if you can incorporate some of the ideas into your next conversation.

Note: After I wrote this, I read another article about your "second" first impression, otherwise known as the impression you make on social media sites.  This may make more sense when you are applying for a job, but some of the comments can also apply to college admissions.  For example, excessive venting about a problem, which let's face it, may not really be that big of a problem after all.  Posts that portray you as an immature high school student, excessive whining, or denigrating others can all be red flags to potential colleges and employers.

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