Are first impressions trustworthy?

Question

My wife's first impression of me wasn't great, but then she grew to love me (who wouldn't)!

With my last role I had such a great first impression working with the recruiter that I loved the company. But I had a bad first impression of the hiring manager. Years later the HR gal is gone and I still could not stand my manager.

I just had a handful of interviews with different companies and have a couple great first impressions and then a couple really bad first impressions from the recruiters. How much stock should I put in first impressions? I mean I'm never gonna work with that recruiter again, but I also feel like there is something in that first impression vibe you feel right??

Accepted Answer

Sometimes folks have a bad day 🤷‍♀️

Answer

Good/Bad people in every role from recruiters to teachers to cops to politicians (okay maybe more bad than good here).

Answer

It's cliche to say that first impressions matter, but I have found that to not be true. Bad days happen to good people, and vice versa.

Answer

i guess it depends on how much you trust your gut.

Answer

There's a movie out right now, called "A Man Called Otto". It's based on a book by Fredrick Bachman, "A Man Called Ove", which I highly recommend. Why is it relevant? Bachman is a master at presenting a character who presents in a certain way, and you as the reader think you know what the character is about, based on that first impression. Yet, through the course of the story, small details about the character emerge, and each time, there's a shift in how you perceive the character. By the end of the story (no spoilers), the character has developed and the first impression, while still technically correct, has been adroitly adapted.

TLDR: well, your loss. But first impressions are often just the tip of the iceberg in the whole person.

Also read the book.

Answer

They're not always to be trusted but usually gut feeling is right.

Answer

First impressions aren’t always accurate but I tend to put more stock in my ‘gut feel’ which isn’t always fully formed upon first impression. However, I generally have not had great experiences with recruiters so I may be a little biased on that front.

Answer

Maya Angelou said it best.

ChickenDinner

Are first impressions trustworthy?

13 comments

ChickenDinner

Are first impressions trustworthy?

13 comments

Related posts

When a lead answers the phone for the first time in history only to scream at me to stop calling my first reaction is to laugh really loud. I don't even think about it.

Best ways to create a first impression?

First post and a serious one, just not sure where/who else to turn to