ProGrad Melbourne

A Handy Hint

A Handy Hint

Two hands, one shake and a whole lot of potential.

 A handshake may seem trivial but we all know the importance of a good first impression and with around 60-70% of communication being non-verbal, it is important physical cues like this that can contribute to likeability and success in a first meeting.

A strong handshake can tell someone many things about you without you even realising you have said anything. Respect, warmth, confidence and trustworthiness can all be helped or hindered when giving a handshake. This simple gesture is a business tradition and may take you a long way to building good rapport in a short time.

On meeting your interviewer for the first time, remember a strong firm handshake with good eye contact and a smile. Practice this handshake with friends and family, they know you well enough to tell you if it needs work! You might feel stupid but your employer will never know you practised, they will only see the benefits of your forward thinking.

For Men:

If shaking hands with a man, allow him to twist your hand slightly. This is a sign of power, don’t try to twist back as it will represent a power struggle. Do not try to crush his grip, but match it. If shaking hands with a woman, allow her to lead with how firm the grip is and match it.

For Women:

If shaking hands with a man, don’t be afraid to have a firm grip. This shows confidence. If shaking hands with a woman, allow her to lead with how firm the grip is and match it.

Making a good first impression is the easy part… the hard part is making a LASTING impression! The first part of making a lasting impression lies in building rapport. So put your best hand forward.

For more help in meeting prospective employers contact the ProGrad Graduate Management team on 8235 8300 or email us on info@prograd.com.au