Looking for a job? A firm handshake is key to interview success, say scientists

 

By David Wilkes

Last updated at 11:45 PM on 26th September 2008

 

 

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A firm handshake is more important than the clothes you wear and even smiling when meeting your job interviewer, scientists say

 

As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview.

But research has revealed that a firm handshake is what really matters when it comes to impressing potential employers.

Although previous studies have shown a limp, 'wet fish' handshake indicates shyness, and a firm 'pump' confidence, there has been little evidence about the effect this has on an interviewer.

The U.S. research looked at 98 undergraduates taking part in mock interviews with businesses.

As each was graded on their overall performance, five 'handshake raters' also marked them on their grip, strength, duration, vigour and eye contact.

Professor Greg Stewart, from the University of Iowa, who led the study, said those who scored highly with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most hireable by the interviewers.

Students with 'wimpy' shakes were judged to be more timid and less impressive.

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, also found women with a firm handshake were likely to be evaluated more favourably than their male counterparts.

Professor Stewart said: 'We've always heard that interviewers make up their mind about a person in the first two or three minutes of an interview.

'But we found that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the tone for the rest of the interview.

'We don't consciously remember a person's handshake but it is one of the first non-verbal clues we get about the person's overall personality, and that impression is what we remember.'

The interviewers graded each student's overall performance and hireability, while five specially trained 'handshake raters' also scored students, marking them for grip, strength, duration, vigor and eye contact while grasping hands.

The raters shook hands while greeting each participant, either before or after the interview, so both interviewees and interviewers were unaware that handshakes were being evaluated. The scores were then compared.

Professor Stewart said students who scored high with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most hireable by the interviewers.

 

Those with wimpy handshakes were judged to have less gregarious personalities and were less impressive.

 

Job prospects: Smiling is important, as is appearance, but the handshake is crucial - both for men and women

Women were less likely to have a highly rated handshake, partly because traditionally they shake hands less than men. But when women did possess a firm handshake, they were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts.

The study, published in the latest edition of the Journal of Applied Psychology, says: 'Men and women with a weak handshake received almost identical ratings for employment suitability, but women with a firm handshake received substantially higher ratings than did men with a handshake of the same firmness.

'Thus, even though women on average present a weaker handshake, those women who do present a very firm handshake receive higher ratings than do men with an equally firm handshake.'

The researchers said women could therefore increase their chances of landing a job by undertaking 'handshake training' to learn how to shake hands firmly.

Body language experts warn, however, that the firmness needs to be just right, as a an over zealous 'bone crusher' handshake can indicate egotism, a controlling personality and a lack of trustworthiness.

The handshake is thought to have originated in medieval Europe as a way for kings and knights to show that they did not intend to harm each other and possessed no concealed weapons.

Job interviews :sick:

 

Even the thought of them make me nervous :disappointed:

That's right all you masterbaters, enough with the practice. Get out there and get yourselves a j-o-b. :P

That's right all you masterbaters, enough with the practice. Get out there and get yourselves a j-o-b. :P

 

What's a master bater?? Anything like a master builder??:confused:

That's right all you masterbaters, enough with the practice. Get out there and get yourselves a j-o-b. :P

 

:laugh3:

 

Oh god. :laugh3:

Job interviews :sick:

 

Even the thought of them make me nervous :disappointed:

 

I freeze up in interviews and questions I should ask go out of the window, making me look stupid :(