The most important factor in first impressions when meeting people is the look on the face, a straw poll suggests.

According to the poll of 822 salaried workers by a job portal on Thursday, 74.5 percent of respondents said the expression on a person's face is the most important factor determining their first impression.

Appearance came second with 49.4 percent, followed by attire (40 percent), tone of voice and use of words (32.1 percent) and physique (24.5 percent).

Asked if their first impressions of clients or co-workers tend to last, 54.4 percent said yes and 45.6 percent said the impression tends to change while working with them. Respondents were able to give multiple answers.