The mark of a good pageant judge is their ability to quickly size things up, be decisive, and score according to what is taking place in the moment.
Whether I’m judging a pageant, a show choir competition or interviewing people for a job, I make my decision within the first 5-10 seconds. The remaining time is usually spent confirming my initial impression.
There are all kinds of studies and documentation supporting that a person’s first impression is made within 1 to 10 seconds. The numbers vary depending on the report you read, but the truth is people make a judgment about you within seconds, not minutes, of seeing and speaking with you.
The following excerpt is from The Tesh Media Group and I found the short article to be interesting and to the point.
“A man named Roger Ailes, a media strategist, famously said, "You have just 7 seconds to make a good first impression." And he was pretty much right. Our primitive ancestors needed to be able to size up a situation quickly and decide if they were faced with a friend or a foe. And we do the same thing today.
According to Yale University psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, 90% of a first impression is based on appearance, posture, facial expressions, and tone of voice. So here’s how to put your best foot forward.
First, know this, when you meet someone new, your hair style will get noticed more than your facial features. Long hair says, "My looks are important to me". Short hair says, "I’m confident and successful". And shoulder length hair says, "I’m intelligent and level-headed".
Next, your handshake matters. The Yale study found that people who make eye contact while offering a handshake that’s firm, dry, and vigorous – as opposed to clammy, limp, and wimpy – not only makes a better impression, but makes people believe you possess the qualities associated with your grip. Also, here’s something just for women.
Your instincts about other women are more accurate than your instincts about men. Why? Because women are programmed to want to make a connection with a man, so your opinions aren’t as harsh. Chemistry throws off your radar.
Now, what about charm versus cheekbones, which goes further? A good looking face or a charismatic presence? Charisma wins over beauty. If you seem confident, open to new experiences, and interested in others, you’ll get better marks than the good looking guy next to you.
But here’s the one thing you need to remember – a first impression is less about you, and more about making the person you meet feel good.”
I tell my clients time and time again: most of what you tell the judges will be forgotten by the time you walk away from the table. It’s more important how you say things than what you say. The feelings you evoke within the judges are what will stay with them as they cast their scores.
It’s very important to continually tweak your outer style and develop your inner qualities because the winning combination occurs when both your outside and inside images match.
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DEADLINE TO ENTER THE
WTP RELAY FOR LIFE PAGEANT IS
MAY 5, 2011
If you are experiencing problems with the links and want the pageant information emailed directly to you, please send me an email atRhonda@winningthroughpageantry.com and
I will send you the registration form.
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Do you need practice for your summer pageant?
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Are you looking for a pageant with no swimsuit or talent requirement?
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Do you like the idea that 20% of all the money raised from this pageant is going to the American
Here's your opportunity.
- Every contestant will go home with a crown and prizes valued beyond the registration fee.
Click here for full details about this opportunity and share it with your friends.
INTERVIEW CARD
The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill that everyone can benefit from. The more you practice, the better you will get. These handy interview cards are a great way to practice with a partner or use by yourself to get you thinking about the topic.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview situation. Then each month you will receive a new card in the mail with fresh questions.
Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.
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Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.
She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents.
This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .
