Handshake is a ritual that has been practiced from 4th Century BC in Ancient Greek as a gesture of peace and equality. In modern Businesses setting, handshake is the first point of contact with a stranger in most cases. For MBA Admission interviews, the first impression is created based on this simple gesture.
How Long Should It Last
The length of the handshake depends on the familiarity of the individuals. For first time meetings, the handshakes typically last between 3 to 5 seconds. For meetings with colleagues or partners that you already know, the handshake can last a little longer.
Type of Handshakes
As most Body Language experts would say, the nature of the handshakes speaks volumes about the person. Although there are 100s of variations of handshakes, the handshake in Business and MBA admission interviews are categorized into four types:
Dead Fish: This is the biggest giveaway that you are not confident about the interview, your candidacy or about the interviewer. You are nervous, and would rather sit down quickly, than shake hands with someone who is the gatekeeper of your future. That is when Dead Fish handshakes happen. You are thinking about something else. Maybe, your mind is preoccupied with the “Why MBA” and “Long-Term career path” questions. Be in the moment and avoid Dead Fish handshakes.
Sweaty Palms: A little bit of anxiety is actually good for focusing in the moment but when the level of anxiety increases to an unbearable level, it often leads to physical manifestation; either in the form of heavy breathing or sweaty palms. Make sure that you ...
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