First Impressions - Are they the Dealbreaker?


“To be a success in the world of sales, a person must first build an emotional connection and trust with the customer. You must be prepared. Be genuine because likeability matters. Put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression” – Jim Loria 

This is all so true when speaking of my own daily job or whether a professional scout or college recruiter is sizing you up and or you are in negotiations with a Big League organization trying to capitalize on your recent accomplishments in your sport. In this day and age, if a club or school is going to walk up the aisle with you and put a ring on your finger for multiple years, they are now seeking more reasons to sign off on you as an investment. 

As we’ve stated many times in previous stories, it is your “humanizing skills” that are going to separate you from the pack when it comes to contract negotiations, being drafted or recruited. Learn how to speak with clarity, smile, properly sit (in an office meeting or at dinner), dress (look the role), handshake (firmly and like you are in control of the meeting at hand) and maintain a Big League image of you on your social networking sites. 

During my many years either running the business operations or the marketing department of a Junior Hockey Club, we would spend much time on life skill development with our players. From media training to speaking in front of school children or service clubs. At some point when personal interviews take place behind closed doors or at a dinner setting, the perception of the player in how they are seen by the personnel leaders and coaches can enhance a player's portfolio and become a difference maker when draft day decisions are made. 

A few years ago, I was given feedback from a national survey conducted by thousands of Hiring Managers across the USA. They were asked this one question: What are the top things that would kill a person’s chances from being hired for a job? In order, the top responses were: 

1. Body Language 
2. Lack of Smile 
3. Fidgeting too much (touching Face, Ears, Hair, etc.) 
4. Weak Handshake 

The same type deficiencies can hold true for an athlete when you have those 1-on-1 meetings with your future sports club or school? 

Jim Loria

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