You've been invited to an interview at a great company and you sit waiting in their lobby. Naturally, you are nervous. This is a great opportunity and you don't want to blow it. The initial telephone interview was challenging but you did well enough to get invited to their office.
What appears to be another candidate walks down the hallway and out of the office. You wonder "how many people are they talking to?" You just got more nervous. The hiring manager steps out into the lobby and extends his hand towards you.
This is how it begins.
Naturally, you extend your hand and grasp the extended hand of the hiring manager to shake hands. You may not realize this but your handshake just spoke volumes about your character. You may have never given a hand shake any real thought, but you should.
Your handshake is a direct reflection of who you are and it is a critical element of the “first impression.” There are few things less impressive than a lousy hand shake, especially to a hiring manager that is taking notes on every move you make.
The “Wet Fish” handshake is a sweaty, limp hand with no grip. It just sort of hangs out there waiting for someone else to grab hold of it. It has no power or strength. It expresses no passion or excitement. It seems uninterested and lazy. It demonstrates a lack of character.
If your handshake is a reflection of you, do you want your hand shake to reflect a "wet fish'?
The “Gorilla” is a hand that reaches out with full force with the intent to crush every bone in your hand. This form of handshake is common amongst people that don't really know their own strength. It comes across as some sort of “strong-man” audition. If you are a bigger person and think you may be shaking like a "gorilla", odds are, you are. Try to tone down your grip just a bit.
You want neither "wet fish" nor "gorilla". A nice firm handshake is ideal. Not too short, not too long. A good rule of thumb is to let the hiring manager take the lead with ending the handshake. Also, you should always be standing, smiling, and making eye contact while shaking hands.
Lastly, you should also be aware of whose hand you are shaking. Are you shaking hands with a petite 50 year old lady or a burly 30 year old man? It can make a difference. A firm handshake to a older woman is not the same as a firm handshake to a younger man. Be aware of your handshake “style” and make changes based upon the advice above.
Small details like this really make a difference in a hyper-competitive job market.
Want more advice?
What appears to be another candidate walks down the hallway and out of the office. You wonder "how many people are they talking to?" You just got more nervous. The hiring manager steps out into the lobby and extends his hand towards you.
This is how it begins.
 |
| Wet Fish |
Naturally, you extend your hand and grasp the extended hand of the hiring manager to shake hands. You may not realize this but your handshake just spoke volumes about your character. You may have never given a hand shake any real thought, but you should.
Your handshake is a direct reflection of who you are and it is a critical element of the “first impression.” There are few things less impressive than a lousy hand shake, especially to a hiring manager that is taking notes on every move you make.
The “Wet Fish” handshake is a sweaty, limp hand with no grip. It just sort of hangs out there waiting for someone else to grab hold of it. It has no power or strength. It expresses no passion or excitement. It seems uninterested and lazy. It demonstrates a lack of character.
If your handshake is a reflection of you, do you want your hand shake to reflect a "wet fish'?
The “Gorilla” is a hand that reaches out with full force with the intent to crush every bone in your hand. This form of handshake is common amongst people that don't really know their own strength. It comes across as some sort of “strong-man” audition. If you are a bigger person and think you may be shaking like a "gorilla", odds are, you are. Try to tone down your grip just a bit.
You want neither "wet fish" nor "gorilla". A nice firm handshake is ideal. Not too short, not too long. A good rule of thumb is to let the hiring manager take the lead with ending the handshake. Also, you should always be standing, smiling, and making eye contact while shaking hands.
Lastly, you should also be aware of whose hand you are shaking. Are you shaking hands with a petite 50 year old lady or a burly 30 year old man? It can make a difference. A firm handshake to a older woman is not the same as a firm handshake to a younger man. Be aware of your handshake “style” and make changes based upon the advice above.
Small details like this really make a difference in a hyper-competitive job market.
Want more advice?
Interview Tutor
Professional Career Services
508.365.0077
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