Handshakes 101

Professional Handshakes in the United States

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by Shawn Humphrey

@blucollarprof

shawnhumphrey.com

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WHEN YOU SHOULD SHAKE HANDS

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1. During a job interview.
2. When greeting a guest at an event you are hosting.
3. When greeting a host at an event they are hosting.
4. When saying goodbye.
5. Whenever someone extends their hand to you.

HANDSHAKE ANATOMY (1 of 2)

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1. Stand up
2. Walk over
3. Give them a verbal greeting like “Hello, nice to meet you.”
4. Once you have made eye contact with them:
1. Smile
2. Extend your right hand
3. Do not get too close
1. Keep a 3 - 4 foot buffer

5. Keep your left hand out of your pocket and unclenched.

6. Thumb of your right hand should be extended upwards.

7. Remaining fingers should be pressed together.

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HANDSHAKE ANATOMY (2 of 2)

8. Once the other person extends their hand:

1. Grab the middle of their hand.
2. Get web to web.
3. Curl your fingers completely around their hand.
4. Your index finger and thumb should be pointing at each other on the backside of their hand.
5. Grip their hand firmly but not too hard.
6. Give 3 - 5 three to five pumps
7. Simultaneous release.

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HANDSHAKE DO’S

1. Be first.

2. Be second.

3. Test your grip strength.

4. Work on your grip strength.

5. Calibrate your grip strength.

6. Stand up - unless you are sitting at a crowded table and it is too awkward.

7. Keep your hands clean and dry.

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HANDSHAKE DON'TS (1 of 2)

1. Don’t do these moves:

1. Yank the other person into your personal space.
2. Squeeze too hard.
3. Make the other person stretch their arm to shake your hand.
4. Use your handshake to guide the other person into a different direction.
5. Twist the other person’s hand so that your hand can be on top.

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2. Don’t get left hanging:

1. Don’t approach from the side.
2. Use a greeting to grab their attention.
3. Don’t extend your hand until you have made eye contact.

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HANDSHAKE DON'TS (2 of 2)

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3. Don’t use your left hand to touch the other person’s right arm, wrist or elbow.

4. Don’t use your left hand to cup their right hand.

5. Don’t stick out your index finger when shaking someone’s hand.

HANDSHAKE TIPS (1 of 2)

1. Damp Hands

1. Keep your right hand unclenched and outside of your pocket at all times.
2. Give your right hand a quick wipe on your pants or jacket before extending it.

2. Bathroom Hands

1. Give your right hand a quick wipe on your pant leg or jacket.
2. Give them a heads up “Sorry, I just washed my hands.”

3. If you are sick offer up the fist bump.

4. Cold Hands - carry around a hot cup of coffee or tea to warm it up.

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HANDSHAKE TIPS (2 of 2)

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5. Different cultures have different customs.

6. If a person extends a prosthetic hand, shake it.

7. If a person extends a hook, shake it.

8. If a person does not have a right hand or prosthetic and extends their arm where it ends, shake it. If they extend their left hand, shake it with your left hand.

9. If you participate in a bad handshake ask for another try. Say “Let’s try that again.”

10. A handshake should last for only four seconds.

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THE KEY TO A GOOD HANDSHAKE

Be fully present for the person whose hand you are shaking.

Three to Five seconds of being present for each other.

We can give that to each other.

Who wants to test their handshake?

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Shawn Humphrey

@blucollarprof

shawnhumphrey.com

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