Bosses giving workers second chance at a first impression

Workers are taking lessons from world-class acting coaches in how to leave a good first impression as businesses are concerned its becoming a lost art. Enlisting the help of renowned drama school Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the training sessions are taken in small groups and one-to-ones with performance coaches in order to boost employee’s confidence with new people.

According to RADA in Business, less than a quarter of workers come across people who make a lasting first impression in the office. With 78% going as far as to admit they rarely meet anyone who makes a strong impression, 27% even believe they’ve never met anyone who left a notable first impression.

Despite most people rarely leaving a notable first impression on recruiters, 71% surveyed believed they themselves had left an impression on employers, leading to specialists searching for ways to educate workers on how to leave a boss wanting more. With notable British acting talent from Roger Moore to Sean Bean, the drama school is famed for producing charismatic talent, and is trying to break the barriers between an audition and an interview.

“by employing some of the techniques used by actors when performing on stage, you can drastically increase your levels of success,” said Charlie Walker-Wise, client director and tutor at RADA in Business. “As this research shows it’s harder than people think to make a lasting first impression.”

Encouraging interviewees to read a room, absorb the atmosphere and see what causes a reaction, RADA wants recruits to engage and respond to their interviewers rather than just memorising their lines.

“Ultimately by increasing your self-awareness in business situations you become more aware of the impact of both your behaviour and the behaviour of others,” continued Walker-Wise. “You can use these skills to flex your communication style according to the situation and make the first impression required. It’s amazing how small shifts in how you use your physicality and voice can affect your audience.’’