Everyone gets nervous, especially before an important job or informational interview. Some people get sweaty palms as a result - a perfectly normal reaction to being nervous, but perfectly awful for delivering that first handshake to your potential future employer. So what can you do to make sure you’ve got a great handshake even if you’re super nervous?
When I get nervous I get super sweaty palms. And I’m sure that, as a result of my common affliction, I have given plenty of folks the ol’ wet fish handshake at some point - but never to a potential employer because I use one of these two tricks every time and it always saves me.
When I get nervous I get super sweaty palms. And I’m sure that, as a result of my common affliction, I have given plenty of folks the ol’ wet fish handshake at some point - but never to a potential employer because I use one of these two tricks every time and it always saves me.
Tip 1: Before you go to your interview, get a nice handkerchief and place it in your right hand pocket. While you’re waiting for your interviewer to arrive keep your hand out of your pocket. When you see them walking towards you, just put your hand in your pocket and squeeze the handkerchief. All the sweat will come off your hand and be nice and dry for that first handshake. The reason I say keep your hand out of your pocket is that if you keep your sweaty hand on that handkerchief for a while it will get damp too. Oh, and whatever you do, try to not use Kleenex. I did that once and they stuck to my hand on the way out. Makes for a pretty awkward handshake.
Tip 2: This is a great one for women or for people who don’t have pockets to put a handkerchief in. Try and arrive at your interview about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Once you arrive you’ll probably be met by an assistant. More than likely they’ll offer you a cup of coffee or glass of water. Ask for a glass of water. When it comes, don’t drink it. Hold it in your right hand. The coolness of the glass will keep your hand from overheating and sweating. When your interviewer arrives just take your hand off your glass, press it onto your sleeve or pant leg to remove any residue from the glass and shake hands. Your interviewer will get a nice, cool hand to shake.
Tip 2: This is a great one for women or for people who don’t have pockets to put a handkerchief in. Try and arrive at your interview about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Once you arrive you’ll probably be met by an assistant. More than likely they’ll offer you a cup of coffee or glass of water. Ask for a glass of water. When it comes, don’t drink it. Hold it in your right hand. The coolness of the glass will keep your hand from overheating and sweating. When your interviewer arrives just take your hand off your glass, press it onto your sleeve or pant leg to remove any residue from the glass and shake hands. Your interviewer will get a nice, cool hand to shake.
