1Making a lasting

impression

Jenny Owen King’s College Careers Service

2 Overview of today’s session

• Speed networking take 1• First impressions

– Good & bad!

• Creating a pitch• Speed networking take 2

3

Speed Networking #1

4 First Impressions

Nat Neurosci. 2009 Apr;12(4):508-14. Epub 2009 Mar 8.A neural mechanism of first impressions.Schiller D, Freeman JB, Mitchell JP, Uleman JS, Phelps EA.

5 Cliché or the truth?

“ you never get a second chance to make a first impression”

6 3 words to describe this man?

7 3 words to describe this woman?

8 It’s not all about appearance

9 Who do you like?

• Think of one person you have met & instantly ‘liked’ in a work situation

• Why did you like them?– Were they similar or different to you?– How did they introduce themselves?

• Would you seek them out at future events?

• What can you learn from their technique?

10

Being memorable (for the right reasons)

• Dress • Remember names• Ask questions• Get involved – offer opinions• Pay people compliments (carefully!)• Be positive

11

Developing a pitch

• Sometimes called personal branding• What are the key messages you want

someone to take away?• One size doesn’t fit all but key

elements will remain• Not anywhere near as dreadful as it

sounds!

12

Think ‘playwright’ not ‘actor’

• Pitching in any sense is about telling stories

• The better/more relevant the story the more likely it will be remembered (& passed on)

13

5 simple questions

• Who are you? • What do you do? • What can you do for me? • Why should I be interested in you? • How can I contact you?

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Example for a recent graduate

Hello. My name is Robert Wong.

I will be receiving my Masters in Finance this May from ABC University, I really enjoyed the quantitative and analytical elements of the course. I'm currently seeking an auditor position in London. Could you tell me about what kinds of skills and experience your firm is looking for in its auditors?

15

Creating ‘anchors’

• How can you tie yourself to key facts?

• Reasons I’m lucky……• Don’t get hung up on job titles• Practice but be flexible

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Is it different for women?

• Code Switching: How to talk do men will listen (Audrey Nelson & Claire Damken Brown)

• Goals vs Process• Providing information ‘pyramid style’• Do men need ‘cueing’?• Be aware of body language

– If your verbal & non-verbal messages conflict people tend to go with the non-verbal clues

17

Your turn….

• What do you want the people in this room to remember about you?

• 10 mins to “perfect your pitch” before we enter speed networking #2!

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5 simple questions

• Who are you? • What do you do? • What can you do for me? • Why should I be interested in you? • How can I contact you?

19

So…

How was it second time around?