1. Be Ready: Approach the other person with your hand already extended. Make the first move and do this in one movement to look confident and assured.
2. Make Eye Contact and Smile: When shaking their hand, make eye contact with them and remember to smile. Studies have repeatedly shown that maintaining eye contact for a mere 3 seconds can make the other person develop positive feelings for you. By smiling, you lighten the atmosphere and make them feel comfortable around you.
3. Use the Right Strength: When shaking their hand, grasp their hand firmly but not tightly. A tight handshake may lead to discomfort for the other party, especially for older individuals. Try to match the grip of the other person for the optimal handshake.
4. No Sweaty Palms: If you tend to have sweaty palms, make it a point to keep them dry especially when you see someone approaching or you are about to approach someone. A handshake with a sweaty palm is definitely not the best way to leave a good first impression.
5. Use Your Right Hand: It is tradition that we shake hands with our right hand. This is the case even for left-handers. If you are at a company dinner (or any similar social event), always carry your beverage in your left hand. This leaves your right hand dry and free for handshakes.
6. Adapt to The Different Types Of Handshakes: Different people have different ways of shaking hands. In fact, in different countries, handshakes are done very much differently. The most common handshake is a brisk up-down motion but there are many variations to this. For example, some people shake hands with their left hand placed on top of the two clasped hands to provide additional warmth. Others may continue shaking hands for several seconds. My suggestion would be to adapt to the other person’s version of the handshake and go with the flow.
7. Have Something To Say: When shaking hands, remember to always have some introductory line to say. A silent handshake can be rather awkward and you would also lose the chance to build some familiarity right from the start. What you could do is to maintain eye contact with the other person and say something like “it’s nice to meet you” or “how do you do?”
