A great first impression is key! 

It doesn't matter if it's a job interview or you're meeting the S/O's parents for the first time, a great first impression is the key to opening doors and making connections with new people. And in today's fast-paced world where businesses, trends, and even relationships have the chance to blossom and fade overnight - it's important, more than ever, that you master these 5 skills to make sure you always leave a good impression:

• Shine your shoes.  
  
• Tie a necktie. 
  
• Properly shake hands.
• Make small talk.
• Know at least one good joke.                                                             

1: Shine your shoes!

You're dressed to impress and ready to head out the door until you realize - your shoes are a mess! Now you're crunching time and not sure if cleaning your shoes is worth it. Who will even notice, right?  Wrong! Your shoes are one of the first things people will notice about you.  Just think, people already expect you to wear a clean and appropriate outfit, right? Now ask yourself, when was the last time you actually cleaned and polished your shoes? 

Don't worry, we've got you covered! We recently wrote a blog covering this very subject, titled: Who's ready to polish?                        

2: Tie a necktie!

From weddings, to work, to evenings out with friends, the necktie is a staple statement item in any man's repertoire. Now, imagine that you're over 30 and you're still asking your parents to help tie your necktie. Yeah, don't be that guy - no one wants to be that guy. That being said, if you master at least one knot - we suggest the Half-Windsor.

In need of a fresh necktie? Our friends at The Tie Company can help!

3: Properly shake hands.

Okay, you're officially dressed to the nines and ready to mingle! Next, comes the greeting, the handshake. Generally your first physical impression of someone, a handshake can tell you a lot about a person's personality and demeanor towards you. 

So ask yourself - "What does my handshake say about me?"

Are you giving off the right impression or are you scaring people away with your limp noodle wrist? Perfect your handshake with a little advice from the team at The Art of Manliness

4: Make small talk. 

You're looking good, you've mastered the handshake, and now it's time for you to open your mouth. But, it turns out that you don't even know what to say! Now you're losing their attention, interest, and you're beginning to give off the impression that you don't even care for the person you're trying to talk to.     

Considered the appetizer for a relationship - don't let your inability to make small talk hold you back from making meaningful connections, and learn how to handle yourself like a pro with these 6 quick tips.

5: Know at least one good joke! (Better if you know three!)

Finally - knowing when and how to tell a good joke is an easy way to get everyone laughing and feel relaxed. Not only does this let everyone know you're a fun person - this can help break any tension in the air, while allowing you to take control of the conversation and steer it back on track. Just make sure the jokes you know are clean enough to be told to all audiences. And you wouldn't think so, but the cheesier the better when it comes to small talk!