thecareerbeat.com Blog

Want the job? Get a grip.

A new study suggests that job candidates who have a firm handshake are more likely to get hired.

The finding isn’t that surprising, as career experts often cite the handshake as an important element in a “first impression.” But it’s interesting to see the phenomenon studied scientifically, using 98 students (men and women) in mock interviews. For more, read this article.

Hiring decisions are often made within the first 10 minutes of an interview, no matter how long the interview lasts. And that decision will definitely take into account your appearance, your manner, and your handshake.

And while we’re on the subject of nonverbal cues and what they say about you, I recommend an excellent article written by my friend and neighbor, Pay Mayfield.

But what about the flip side? I’ve been on job interviews in which the interviewer greeted me with a limp, “dead fish” handshake. It definitely made me wonder about whether I would want to work with or for that person.

Or even worse, the other person closes his/her hand too quickly on yours, squeezing your knuckles. In that case, I always stifle the urge to ask, “Can we try that again?” Maybe asking for a handshake re-do would create a worse impression?

Web browsing on work time

This week’s poll on Yahoo! HotJobs was very interesting…

Poll Results

Q How many hours per week at work do you spend on Web browsing not related to your job? Less than 1 30% 1-4 hours 31% 4-8 hours 18% More than 8 22% 13036 Votes to date

(Sorry the purple background is a little tough to read. Trying to figure that out.)

Everybody does it, right? Maybe, but it still could get you fired. Check out this article for more on how your computer use at work could get you canned. Browse at your own risk!