When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first thing that you notice? More often than not, it is their appearance. The same goes for when you meet someone online – the first thing you see is their profile picture. If you want to make a positive first impression and grow your network, it is important to put thought into your profile picture and how you present yourself online. In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to make a great first impression!
1. Use a professional headshot as your profile picture
Your profile picture is the first thing that people will see when they come across your profile, so make sure that it is a good one! A professional headshot is always a great choice for a profile picture because it shows that you are serious about your career and the impression you make online. Also, make sure that your headshot is recent – you don’t want people to think you are someone you’re not!
If you don’t have a professional headshot, no worries! Just make sure that your picture is clear and shows your face. Avoid using pictures with other people, or pictures that are blurry, dark, or have filters applied to them. Remember, first impressions count! We recommend that you hire a professional photographer to take some great headshots for you or ask a friend with a good camera to snap some pictures of you.
2. You should look confident and approachable
Looking confident is first and foremost an inside job. There is no perfect template. If you feel good in yourself then you will radiate confidence and make other people feel at ease. Eating well and exercising will add to your glow.
But if you are run down or stressed out it might be time to get some help. Always start with the inside, whether that’s therapy, meditation or just taking more time in your life to connect with friends or a passion. The beauty salon can help too with a facial or massage. A few treatments can do wonders to brighten up your skin. And if your frown lines are dug in and angry it could be worth considering something like botox. Just make sure that you ask all the necessary questions before undergoing any procedure to avoid any issues later. The botox clinic in NYC says “We pride ourselves on taking whatever time is needed to ensure that all our patient’s questions are answered fully and a custom treatment plan has been crafted to meet their needs.” Don’t settle for anything less.
3. First impressions are not just about your appearance
Your profile picture and how you present yourself online are important, but they are not the only things that matter. It is also important to remember that first impressions are about more than just your appearance. They are about your attitude, your body language, and the way you carry yourself.
When you meet someone for the first time, make sure you make eye contact and give them a firm handshake, or whatever greeting is culturally or medically acceptable. Stand up straight and avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting – this will make you look nervous and unconfident. Instead, try to relax and be yourself! Also, make sure you are listening more than you are talking. This will show that you are interested in the other person and what they have to say.
4. Follow up after meeting someone
If you want to make a lasting impression, it is important to follow up after you meet someone. Send them a LinkedIn request or an email and thank them for their time. This shows that you are interested in staying in touch and that you value their network.
When you follow up with someone, make sure you personalize your message. Mention something that you talked about or something that you have in common. This will make the other person feel special and appreciated, and it will increase the chances of them accepting your request or responding to your email.
5. Be yourself
Lastly, the best way to make a positive first impression is to be yourself. Be genuine, authentic, and friendly. People will appreciate you for who you are, and they will be more likely to want to work with you or connect with you if they can see that you are a real person. In addition, being yourself will help you build better relationships because people will trust you more.
Making a positive first impression is important if you want to grow your network. By following these tips, you can be sure that you are making the best possible impression on everyone you meet. We hope you found this post helpful. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments below!
Emily Newall is Health & Lifestyle Editor at Prowess.org.uk, where she commissions and writes evidence-based features on health, wellbeing and contemporary living.
She graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Politics and Sociology from the University of East Anglia. Her academic work explored social inequality, gender, public policy and the structural determinants of health — themes that continue to inform her journalism.
Emily’s editorial focus includes women’s health, mental wellbeing, workplace culture, lifestyle sustainability and the societal pressures shaping modern life. She approaches these topics through a research-led lens, analysing trends in the context of policy, culture and social change rather than treating lifestyle as purely individual choice.
As a well-travelled writer, she draws on international perspectives to compare health behaviours, cultural norms and approaches to wellbeing across different societies.
Her work aims to provide readers with informed, thoughtful and socially aware coverage rather than trend-driven commentary.