A handshake may seem like a simple gesture. But a job interview handshake can be very important. During Covid, people stopped shaking hands. But now we’re returning to our old ways. You might need to shake hands during a job interview. Are you ready?
Why Is the Interview Handshake Important?
For job seekers, a handshake can be the first impression an employer will have of you. Some people might think a “weak” handshake shows that you are shy and not effective. Some people might think a “strong” handshake shows that you will be hard to work with.
But not all people sense touch the same way. What may feel rough or aggressive to one person may feel soft to another. There is no right or wrong way to feel. But you don’t want to make a negative impression just because of your sensory differences.
Tips for a Good Handshake
Here are a few tips to help you nail the interview handshake.
- Pressure: Aim for the amount of pressure you use to pick up a glass of water. Too little pressure, and the glass will slip through your hand. Too much pressure and you might break the glass!
- Time: Aim for no more than 2-3 seconds. But let the interviewer take the lead. If they continue shaking your hand for a little bit longer, try not to pull away suddenly.
- Practice: The best way to work on your handshake is to practice with others. They can give you good feedback. Practice with several different people. They each may have a different impression of your handshake. So make sure you consider all the feedback you get.
Check out this video of a job seeker shaking hands at a job interview to see how it’s done.
Learn More
The handshake is the first and last impression you give at a job interview. Learning to do it well will make you more confident. That will help you have a great interview. The Virtual Job Coach can help you perfect your interview skills. Learn more about this topic in our course Having a Successful Interview.
- Self-Advocate Course (learn on your own)
- Partner Edition (for parents, support staff, or other partners)
- Instructor Edition (for transition classroom teachers and service providers)
Check out our other job interview blog posts for more tips and tools.
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