For some people, this can be the most terrifying and confusing part of the interview. The initial handshake can set the tone of the interview while the exit handshake will help you be remembered – if you do it right. Your handshake says a lot about you. Not everyone who interviews you will pick up on it, but many people who interview others learn to pick up on subtle signals like hand-shakes, which is why it’s so important.

The Initial Handshake

When you start the interview, there’s a good chance you’re going to shake hands with the interviewer. Use this opportunity to learn about their handshake. Is it firm? Loose? Lots of shaking up and down? You want to make sure you emulate their handshake as much as you can, but this is going to be difficult with the first shaking of hands. If you pay attention, however, you can use this information later. You should also be able to tell if the other person puts a lot of meaning or weight into the handshake by the type of handshake they give.

The Final Handshake

After the  job interview ends, you should offer your hand for a shake as a way to thank them for the interview. You should try to copy their first shake as much as you can. You don’t want to be too firm or too soft, but match their pressure. They may be the type of person who gives a quick squeeze or two, so pay attention to this. Whether you follow suit with a weak handshake is up to you, but you want to ensure that the grip is roughly the same as theirs – not too tight and not too loose.

The Handshake Test After the Job Interview

After the interview, you should be able to tell whether or not the interviewer is a person who puts a lot of thought into a handshake. By mirroring their handshake, you can show that you’re self-aware and observant as well. Even if the other person doesn’t put a lot of thought into handshakes, using proper etiquette can go a long way in making sure you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. In the modern world, everything you can do to get ahead is good.  To make sure you’re ready, find someone who you can practice with until you have the perfect handshake.