Some say it’s about 30 seconds. Others pin it somewhere between 7 and 17 seconds. It doesn’t really matter how long it takes to make the first impression, what does matter, though, is that you won’t have another chance to make it again. 

Anyway, first impressions may be equally tricky for those who struggle to make them and those who are to make judgements on them. And even though first impressions may have a huge bearing upon a person’s image, there are many other areas that a good judge of people should take into consideration.

Check out: Becoming a Better Judge of People

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Glossary 

• extrinsic – not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming or operating from outside
• intrinsic – belonging naturally; essential
• gauge – estimate or determine the magnitude, amount, or volume of
• attitudinal – adjective of attitude
• ramble – talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential 
• obsequious –  obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
• flatter – lavish insincere praise and compliments upon (someone), esp. to further one’s own interests
• congruent – in agreement or harmony

Think about it

Are the sentences below true or false?

• Extrinsic credentials are insufficient when it comes to defining a persons character.
• Recognizing an energy vampire is a skill you don’t need to learn because it’s innate.
• The company people keep is hardly indicative of what they are like.
• Early successes shape a person’s character just as much as failures and hardships.
• Self-awareness is, among others, willingness to improve one’s shortcomings.

 Practice makes perfect

Each sentence below has a mistake. Correct them.

In business and in life, the most critical choices we make relates to people. Yet being good judge of people is difficult. How do we get better at sizing up first impressions, at avoiding hiring mistakes, at correctly picking (and not missing) raising stars?

The easy thing to do is focus with extrinsic markers — academic scores, net worth, social status, job titles. Social media has allowed us to add a new layers of extrinsic scoring: How many friends they have on Facebook? Who we know in common through LinkedIn? How much Twitter followers do they have?

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