We all want to be liked, whether it’s in a professional or social capacity, but not everyone has the natural ability to make a great first impression. Actually, as much as we admire them, those people who cruise through introductions making it look effortless, are in the minority.

Most people feel awkward, say the wrong thing, stutter, mumble, or trip over their feet. Worse is that we then berate ourselves for making a poor first impression. In truth, we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves, we wouldn’t be human if we got everything right all of the time.

While it’s true that first impressions count, when it comes to hiring, most recruiters will want a deeper understanding of who you are as a person and professional. This is why they ask for interviews and contact references. After all, there are many smooth talkers that give the impression of being fantastic, but they often fall short when it comes to delivering on projects.

Applying for a new role is far more about proving you have the skills for the job, than getting people to like you at first glance. To stop worrying overly about making a good first impression, try focusing instead on this:

Defining your unique skill set

Most senior professionals have similar qualifications, but it’s the combination of qualifications and experience that makes you unique. Think about the projects you’ve worked on, challenges you’ve overcome, opportunities you’ve identified, and risks you’ve averted. Jot these down and then think about how each of these situations have added to your expertise. Once you’ve articulated this to yourself, it becomes easier to talk about your skills in an interview or on your CV.

Identifying your core values

An important part of hiring is determining if a person will be a good fit for an organization. Typically, this is determined by values and whether there’s common ground between a company and the candidate. When you as a candidate know what’s important to you, it becomes easier to identify which companies or roles align with this. Also, when values are aligned, it brings out a natural enthusiasm which demonstrates to hiring managers that you’d be a good fit for the vacancy.

The interesting thing is that defining your unique skill set and identifying your core values helps to build confidence. Then you make a great first impression without even trying to.