How to Give an Impressive Handshake

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As an attorney, I’ll be shaking lots of hands: clients, potential clients, other attorneys, and judges. During that brief contact with that person, they’re going to form opinions of me. My handshake could give them the impression that I’m warm person or cold and aloof. Maybe my handshake indicates that I’m an overbearing ass or a wimpy McWimpsalot. We want a handshake that creates a favorable impression. We’re going to talk about how to do that.

There are three keys to a successful [tag]handshake[/tags]

1. How you do it
2. When you do it
3. Where you do it

How you do it

• Make sure your handshake is firm, not a dead fish grip. However, you don’t want to crush the other person’s hand.
• Make sure you don’t have food or grease on your hands. You want the person to remember you, not what you ate.
• If your hands are sweaty, give them a quick nonchalant wipe on your pants.
• When you off your hand, look the person in the eye and smile.

When you do it

Handshakes involve timing. Many people avoid offering handshakes because they’re afraid of being left hanging. If you’re not sure if someone will notice your offer, extend the handshake anyways. Most of the time people will notice your handshake offer and quickly grasp your hand.

Be aware of different social customs. Most cultures have different customs for shaking hands. Some find it inappropriate for a man to shake a woman’s hand and some cultures find shaking hands completely unacceptable. Be sensitive to these situations.

What if you’re left hanging?

I hate when this happens. I always feel dumb, especially when everyone but the person with whom you were trying to shake hands saw the rejection. Don’t feel embarrassed. The problem isn’t that the other person doesn’t think you’re important, you’re timing was just off.

• Don’t offer a handshake if the other person is engrossed in conversation with someone else.
• Don’t approach someone from the side with your extended hand. It’s hard to see.
• Do audibly greet the person first to get their attention and then offer your hand.

Where to do it

Handshakes are good every where. Make sure to shake plenty of hands when you go to a social gathering. Make sure to shake the hosts’ hand when arriving and leaving the gathering.

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[tags]career, job interviews, personal development[/tags]

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6 Comments

1. Andrew Flusche on 16.05.2007 at 16:53 (Reply)

   Nice post Brett. That’s definitely something we don’t think about much, but a good handshake is important.

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3. Norma on 09.08.2007 at 15:26 (Reply)

   Great info Brett. Some other help for your readers is a tip to prevent sweaty palms. Apply Mitchum’s Antiperspirant (others might work but this is the only one I had people test) to the palms of your hands immediately after showering and drying each morning. You won’t have to worry again!

4. billy ajigy on 28.10.2007 at 15:02 (Reply)

   this is da best post ajiggy a boo (pronounced a-jiggy-a-boo)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! awilly a chee a bee looca

5. 48 Practical Ways To Find and Land a Job on 14.11.2007 at 16:59

   […] A firm handshake says that you are confident and strong. Whereas, a weak handshake can ruin your job prospects. Shaking hands well can get your interview off on the right foot, and it leaves a good impression in the employer’s mind. Be sure to read up on handshake tips. […]

6. terry wagar on 17.06.2008 at 17:31 (Reply)

   In portland oregon, Joan Wagar and Eric Carlson are in A Murder conspiracy together.
   And Clackamas Walmart are acttively helping them by hideing Eric’s employment there from me and my family.
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   Joan and Eric have friends in Authority protecting Joan and Eric from prosecution.
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   I would be more than happy to Testify to this but the Authority’s are covering this up so my testimony would simply dissapear.
   My name is Terry Wagar and Im backing up these charges.
   Nomatter how many people Joan and Eric poisoned the Authority’s here in portland Oregon refuse to arrest them.
   Im making these charges public because of the blatent coverup of these charges.

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