First Impressions
What’s the first thing people usually notice when they meet you?
(Answer: Appearance/body language)
Which music artist is known for making bold first impressions with their outfits?
(Examples: Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat)
What’s one thing you should always bring to a job interview?
(Answer: Resume, or examples of past work)
True or False: Crossing your arms makes you look open and friendly.
(Answer: False)
Who has the best red-carpet entrances?
(Debatable, scored based on team’s reasoning)
True or False: A firm handshake shows confidence.
(Answer: True)
In the movie Black Panther, how does T’Challa show leadership presence when he first becomes king?
(Answer: His posture, tone, commanding presence in ritual combat)
What’s better: showing up 10 minutes early or exactly on time?
(Answer: 10 minutes early)
What percentage of communication is non-verbal?
(Answer: About 70–90%)
Name a TV show where characters are constantly judged on first impressions.
(Ex: America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, Shark Tank)
Name 2 ways to show you’re paying attention when someone is speaking.
(Answer: Eye contact, nodding, asking follow-up questions, etc.)
Which TikTok trend shows how quickly people form first impressions?
(Answer could be: “Get Ready With Me”/“Hot Take” trends — judge within seconds)
What does “professional presence” mean in the workplace?
(Answer: How you present yourself through communication, body language, appearance, and behavior)
Show us an example of confident posture.
(Answer: Team must demonstrate)
Which viral TikTok sound or meme perfectly sums up a bad first impression?
(Answer: Students act it out — points for creativity)
In a job interview, how long do you have to make a first impression?
(Answer: 7–30 seconds)
Who’s a celebrity that reinvented their professional presence over time?
(Ex: Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, Taylor Swift, The Rock)
Give 2 examples of digital professionalism.
(Answer: Respectful emails, clean social media, LinkedIn presence, etc.)
Give an example of a “bad first impression” body language habit.
(Answer: Avoiding eye contact, slouching, mumbling, etc.)
If your favorite celebrity walked into this room, what would their “first impression” be?
(Creative answers accepted)
Imagine you meet someone who seems shy and reserved at first. What’s one respectful way you could draw them into a conversation, and why would that help build a positive first impression?
(Answer: Ask an open-ended question about their interests, or compliment something specific — it shows attentiveness and helps them feel included.)
Think of a celebrity or influencer who made a “bad” first impression but later changed people’s minds. What did they do to rebuild their image, and how does that connect to professional presence?
(Answer could be Miley Cyrus shifting from shock-value image to advocacy & artistry, Robert Downey Jr. from troubled past to Marvel star, etc. The key is recognizing reinvention + consistency as part of professional presence.)
You’re interviewing for your dream job and the interviewer asks a question you don’t know how to answer. What’s the most professional way to handle it?
(Answer: Stay calm, acknowledge you don’t know, but pivot to what you do know or how you’d find the answer → shows honesty, adaptability, and problem-solving.)
Imagine you walk into a room full of strangers for a networking event. Describe 3 non-verbal things you could do in the first 30 seconds to make a confident impression before you even say a word.
(Answer: Confident posture, warm smile, eye contact, firm handshake, scanning the room with awareness, open gestures, etc.)
If your life was a TV show and the first episode was your introduction scene, what would you do to make the audience instantly like and remember you?
(Answer: Open-ended/creative)