How To Give A Great Handshake (Video)

This video points out some really great tips on how to execute a great handshake. It is important to realize that handshakes are a sign of trust and help build strong relationships. They are very important in the management of the first impression you give to a prospective employer. Read through the different types of handshakes below and make sure you are mastering the three-second ritual of shaking hands. A good handshake will express a feeling of relaxed self-confidence.

The RIGHT handshake – 7 Basic Steps
Step 1: Extend your right hand to meet the other person’s right hand.
Step 2: Point your thumb upward toward the other person’s arm and extend your arm at a slight downward angle.
Step 3: Wrap your hand around the other person’s hand when your thumb joints come together.
Step 4: Grasp the hand firmly and squeeze gently once. Remember to maintain eye contact and smile!
Step 5: Hold the handshake for 2 to 3 seconds.
Step 6: Pump your hand up and down a few times to convey sincerity. (This gesture is optional.)
Step 7: Observe your handshake and the one you are receiving. Use the examples below to see which message your handshake is sending.The WRONG handshake

• The Lobster
  Like the claw of a lobster, the other person’s thumb and fingers touch the palm of your hand. The person doing this fears connecting at a deep level and may have challenges building relationships. This is an especially poor first impression while on an interview. Make sure to fully engage in a handshake when meeting your interviewer for the first time.
• The Controller
  You feel your hand being pulled toward the person or strongly guided in a different direction, perhaps towards a chair. People who do this are controllers. This means they want to dominate any inanimate or animate object in the room (and that would include you). Do more listening than talking and see if you can find common ground so these individuals can control the situation toward your desired objective.
• The Dead Fish
  Indifferent handshakes that feel like the person has no bones in their hand often indicate a passive or reserved personality. This handshake ranks as the number two least favored by hiring managers. Individuals with this type of clasp are generally not people-focused. Exceptions to this rule might be musicians and surgeons whose livelihood depends on sensitive hands and who are therefore reluctant to open up to a bone crusher.
• The Politician
  Your hand is firmly grasped as in a normal handshake. However, their other hand may cover yours or be placed on your forearm or shoulder. The person is attempting to communicate that the two of you have a deeper relationship than you actually have. Similarly, be cautious about relying on this person’s word for anything and be attentive in your dealings with them.
• The Bone Crusher
  The message of squeezing your hand until you cringe is clearly designed to intimidate you. Even when the person may not know how strong they are, there is still a message of intimidation and power behind the grip. Don’t get into a hand-squeezing contest when you shake because then it becomes a competition and even if you win, you’ll lose.

Handshakes, like eye contact, say many things about who we are without ever saying a word.

For a convenient handout with all of this important information included stop by the CSPD office!

Tags: handshake tips

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 10:06 am and is filed under Interview Tips, Jena Bandini. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.