The Importance of a Good Handshake

Meredith Jannsen, Director, ASHP’s CareerPharm

Everyone should know how to give a proper handshake, but my experience at countless meetings, interviews, and networking events has proven that many do not. It is never too late to learn this simple but important skill.

After I decided to spread the word about proper handshaking techniques, I did some research and found some pretty interesting studies about this topic. One study examined the handshakes of 98 undergraduate students taking part in mock interviews with businesses. As each was graded on their overall performance, five “handshake raters” also evaluated their grip, strength, duration, vigor, and eye contact. Professor Greg Stewart from the University of Iowa, who led the study, said that those who scored highly with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most hirable by the interviewers. Students with weak handshakes were judged to be more timid and less impressive.

If you are not sure how to give a proper handshake, find someone with whom you can practice, such as a friend, roommate, or colleague.

Here’s what you should be aiming for:

• Respect the other person’s personal space—stand about 2 ft away.
• Extend hands to each other, bending your elbow.
• Join hands palm to palm, and take a firm grip.
• Avoid the clamp (too tight) or the dead fish (too loose).
• Make eye contact, smile, move your arm up and down a few times, and let go.