Get a Grip: What Does Your Handshake Say About You!

 

I recently read a note about handshakes in a career journal and thought I would update this article that I wrote many years ago.

We assume everyone knows how to shake hands, right? Not so.

A recruiter shared with me the other day, how often he met college students and professionals who really did not know how to do a professional handshake.

It might seem silly, but your handshake is one of those things that hiring managers — or people in general — will remember about you. Whether you like it or not, your handshake can communicate how confident you are. If you are in the job search process or in the professional environment at all, keep these handshake tips in mind when you attend job fairs, meet managers or go to interviews:

  1. Offer your hand while looking the other person in the eye. Smile, and share a quick introduction of yourself. eg. "Hello, my name is …".

  2. Offer a firm grip. The key is palm to palm contact. Limp fingers placed in someone else's palm, with no movement does not make for a good handshake.

  3. One, two or even three shakes of the hand, will do.

  4. Of course be sure your hands are clean, warm and dry.

  5. It's all right to decline a handshake if you think you have a cold and want to be health conscious.  Usually that would be the only reason, unless you are in a place where culturally, the handshake doesn't make sense. 

  6. Don't worry if you are the first to let go. It is perfectly appropriate to show you know when you are done shaking hands.

A hearty handshake is one way to demonstrate your confidence and professionalism. Don't be shy about extending your hand to as many people as you can and practice getting your handshake just right.