Our trainees have no problem chatting. But if you're ever stuck for conversation, ask people to name their favourite and least favourite adverts. You'll find that some of them can talk about them for ages.

Most people like sharing their opinions of adverts, especially the ones that were around when they were young. It doesn't take long for an advert to make a lasting impression. And the same is true for people.

First impressions
First impressions are lasting impressions. Once made they're hard to undo. The brain works overtime when it meets or sees someone for the first time. In a few seconds, it gets thousands of messages.

• What the person sounds like – the tone of voice, volume and what's said
• What the person looks like – appearance, facial expressions and other body language
• What the person smells like – scents, breath and body odour
• What the person does – behaviour and attitudes

In those few seconds, the brain pulls everything together, analyses it and comes up with its first impression. It takes another four or five minutes to decide if it's worth sticking around and getting to know the person better. It can take weeks before the brain is ready to say 'accept and trust this person'.

In that time, it builds a bigger picture of what someone's like. And it checks every bit of information against its first impression. Behaviour, attitudes and words still have the power to change things but it's hard.

Making a good impression
So, what do you do if you need to make a good first impression or change your image?

• Aim to look the part
  
  Standing out too much attracts negative attention. It's like hitting the self-destruct button, especially in the workplace. And remember that facial expressions and body language say as much about who you are and what you think as the clothes you wear. People can tell if you're bored, overconfident, concentrating or daydreaming just by looking at you.
  
  
• Make an effort to sound the part
  
  Adjust your volume and tone of voice so they fit in. Think before you speak. Will the people around you understand your slang? Or are they too young or old? Will they appreciate your jokes and think that swearing is normal? Or will they be confused, feel uncomfortable and take offence?
  
  
• Follow the rules
  
  Behaving as expected, being polite, staying positive and working hard always go down well. On the other hand, no one likes people who are moody, fool around, don't concentrate or disappear when they're needed.