Finally, another Saturday! And I'm STARVING! So while I try to find me some Saturday morning grub...today's Guest Writer is the one who rocks the Underworld avatar...please welcome Highperf15!!!!!

So without any further delay, let's enjoy a Saturday morning read of Highperf15's intro and his "First Impressions" write-up.

Highperf15 here.......

Alot of you already know me by now, so I'll keep the intro short and sweet. I've been a member here at PimpRig since 14 December 2003. I was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived there most of my life (except when I was in the military). About 1 1/2 yrs. ago I decided to make a move down to Georgia because of an employment opportunity. I've been a Security Professional for 17 yrs. I just got married last March and have no kids (my wife has 2 grown boys). My hobbies are Muscle cars, shooting and computers.

First Impressions

First Impressions, what do you think of when seeing those two words together? First impressions are used in so many different ways throughout our life and are important enough that it can make or break in how people perceive you. First impressions typically involve meeting new people, introductions, communicating and body language. It can be the difference in success and failure, on acceptance or nobody wanting you around.

Whether getting a new job, a meeting in a professional setting, going to a party or joining a community like PimpRig, first impressions are extremely important. I'll give you a couple of examples in how first impressions can make or break how successful you may be.

At the beginning of July, this year, I applied for a job at a local hospital here in Georgia. Now the position I applied for, although in the security field, pays nowhere near what I was making in the past. Now, even though I have an extensive professional background (almost 17 years) in the security industry, this includes Executive Protection, hospital, military installations and Department of defense contractors. Now, even though I have all this experience, I still have to give a positive and professional “first impression” during my interviews to secure the position. I had three interviews to attend in one morning. The first was with one of the security managers and the Director of Security both together and the third interview was to be with the H.R. Director. Now, mind you, this is all happening quickly. I was dressed professional (suit & tie), I smile, greet and extend for handshakes. I communicate clearly and professional, but most of all, I am pleasant and positive. Of course, everything went well, and I should be hired by the time this is posted. All due to the “first impression”.

At PimpRig, we have members from all walks of life and lifestyles, all here for a common love of technology and modding computers. Now, recently we've had a lot of new members join our community and these new members also come from all walks of life and lifestyles. Out of the many new members (or n00bs, as we like to call them), there have been a few, that right from the very first post in our forums, they put forth a poor “first impression”. Now remember, here at PimpRig, almost every post is a first post. What I mean is, the way we post should be positive, at least somewhat intelligent and most of all........respectful. Without this, our community becomes chaotic to say the least. Examples of poor “first impressions” would be; poorly written posts with little regard for spelling or grammar (we'll excuse j-dogg on that one.....heh), not providing enough information in your posts, being negative or even combative to seasoned members and administrators, posting inaccurate information or lies and posting just to raise your post count. You have to remember that the “first impression” doesn't stop with just the first post, it's a collection of all your posts as we take in all the information. So, to all the n00bs, we are watching and forming “our” first impressions about you.

Thank you and take care........

Highperf15
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Great job man, and congrats on the sorta recent marriage
Have a good weekend everyone

First impressions are everything. You only get one shot to make that last impression. Nice write up bro.

Quote: Originally Posted by Spectrum First impressions are everything. You only get one shot to make that last impression. Nice write up bro.

Yep, that's definitely how it is now-a-days man. And Highperf15 made a great point on how first impressions can strongly influence the direction of an interview and how it could turn out for ya.

And now drunken first impressions are another thing...

Good write-up

I thought that it would be good to write about something that's currently going on around our world of PR.

Thanks everyone

That pertains to here and everywhere else. When I retired from the military and had to interview for the job I currently have, I went out and spent several hundred dollars on a new suit and shoes. It was conservative yet professional and had it tailored to fit just right. I've worn that suit a total of two times, once for the interview and once for a funeral.

After I was hired and I was talking to one of the interviewers and found that one person showed up in jeans and t-shirt for the interview, and nobody else bothered to dress up in a suit. They said that was taken into consideration when they were deciding who to hire.

You can have all the qualifications in the world, but if you look and act like a dirtbag, you will get treated like a dirtbag.

I know alot of employers also look for people with good communication skills and positive attitude. Back when I was hiring security officers at Ft. Gordon, the most important factor that I was looking for.......communication skills. And believe me, if that person starts talking like he's "back on the block", he's wasn't about to work for me.

As a hiring authority now, I don't really care what a person's background is. I want to see intelligence and potential. Intelligence is projected through communication, and potential is projected by attitude. We all have bad days and moments, but show me a consistently bad attitude, I will show you the door to the unemployment office.

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita As a hiring authority now, I don't really care what a person's background is. I want to see intelligence and potential. Intelligence is projected through communication, and potential is projected by attitude. We all have bad days and moments, but show me a consistently bad attitude, I will show you the door to the unemployment office.

AMEN to that BA !!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita As a hiring authority now, I don't really care what a person's background is. I want to see intelligence and potential. Intelligence is projected through communication, and potential is projected by attitude. We all have bad days and moments, but show me a consistently bad attitude, I will show you the door to the unemployment office.

Wow. That was well-said, to say the least! Excellent post, BA!


Highperf, good write-up!

Sweeeet write up....Highperf15

Hey thanks again guys............

I thought it was a great write up too. Just late to reading it.

Quote: Originally Posted by TYCOON I thought it was a great write up too. Just late to reading it.

Hey, thanks TYCOON............