Good First Impressions Count when You Mean Business

First impressions can mean the difference between closing thedeal of a lifetime or getting shot down in flames. When meetingwith a client or a customer for the first time, or interviewingwith your prospective employer, you have just a few minutes tomake a first impression that determines the success or failureof your mission.Be on Time"My number one pet peeve is when people show up late," says Jay.Most businesspeople agree. No one likes to be kept waiting. "Ifyou want to make a good impression with me, show me that youvalue my time. Be punctual." If you absolutely cannot arrive ontime, call ahead and ask to reschedule the meeting, ifnecessary. Dress for the OccasionChoose appropriate clothing. You generally can't go wrong in aconservative, tailored suit that fits properly, unless yourmeeting is scheduled for the golf course. Or, as one jobapplicant discovered, "conservative and tailored" isn't part ofthe job or the company's style."I showed up at the door, resume in ...