Running head: EXPLORING THE HANDSHAKE 1

Exploring the Handshake in Employment Interviews

Alissa L. Dubiak

Elyse A. Kipfer

Savannah J. Kubis

Hannah K. Mills

Sam M. Tabat

Madison B. Wirkes

Wisconsin Lutheran College

February 9, 2018
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Exploring the Handshake in Employment Interviews

Rationale for the Study

In Western culture, an acceptable greeting is a business-professional handshake. Despite the

perceived importance of this nonverbal communication, there has not been proof that this is a

necessity in everyday life. Steward, Dustin, Barrick, and Darnold (2008) have conducted a study

to convey the importance of the handshake in a professional interview setting. In this study, the

researchers tested for how handshakes correspond with interview assessments and the potential

differences between men and women.

Methods

The researchers separated the methods section into three different categories. These sections

included participants and procedures, rater training, and measures. The participants in this study

involved ninety-eight undergraduate students enrolled in a one-credit career preparations class at

a Midwestern university. They had a mean of twenty-one years of age, and sixty-nine percent

were either a junior or senior. Fifty participants were female out of the ninety-eight

participants. Ninety percent of the group were Caucasian. Each participant would go to a mock

interview, but treat it as if it were a real interview. There was the interviewer, the participant,

and a rater at each interview. Neither the interviewer, nor the participant knew that handshakes

were being evaluated. There were five different raters. The interviewers were from businesses

that volunteered their time. The raters were trained based on the work by Chaplin, Phillips,

Brown, Clanton, and Stein (2000). The raters were supposed to close their hand around the

participant’s hand, but wait for them to initiate the strength of grip and vigor. They were

instructed to look at grip, strength, duration, vigor, and eye contact. For the measures section,
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the raters looked at handshake ratings, personality, hiring recommendation, and candidate

appearance.

Results

The original study included four hypotheses. For the purpose of this project, the

reviewers explicitly focused on the first and fourth hypotheses. Hypothesis one states,

“Individuals with a firm handshake will receive more positive evaluations during employment

interviews” (Steward et al., 2008). The findings indicate that there is a positive correlation

between a firm handshake and receiving a positive evaluation during an interview. Hypothesis

four presents the notion that, “Handshakes from women will be rated less favorably than are

handshakes from men, which will result in lower interviewer assessments for women” (Steward

et al., 2008). No evidence was found to support the fourth hypothesis. However, women

received a higher interviewer rating than men.

Discussion

According to Steward et al. (2008), this is the first empirical research that has been conducted

about handshakes in an employment interview. The first hypothesis showed a positive

correlation between giving a firm handshake and receiving a positive interviewer

evaluation. This result shows that having a firm handshake is extremely important in making a

good first impression. Furthermore, this evidence displays that handshakes are a cultural

necessity. The other hypothesis reviewed the gender differences between handshake

styles. While women received a lower handshake rating, they scored higher than men when it

came to non-verbal interview behavior. History supports this evidence. Even though women

have not been as exposed as men to situations where a handshake is necessary, they overcome

this stigma by displaying vital non-verbals. Whether male or female, the handshake is a
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significant non-verbal sign that has become an essential form of communication. For college

students, the interview process is important to jump starting their career. Due to the findings of

this study, developing a proper handshake should not be overlooked.

Reflection

The research presented in this article stimulated my thoughts on how my handshake can

have an impact on my future employability. As a young college student who will be graduating

within two years, I was unaware of how big of an impact many of my nonverbal codes, outside

of physical appearance, make when interviewing. One such important nonverbal code is haptics

which is typically displayed through a handshake. A handshake, as shown throughout this study,

makes a significant impact with the interviewer. By looking at this study I have become more

aware of how I give handshakes, and can improve them based off what was learned from the

study. What I learned about quality handshakes is that they use complete closure, fair but not

overpowering strength, and maintain eye contact while understanding appropriate duration.

Using this information I will be a better interviewee.

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References

Chaplin, W. F., Phillips, J. B., Brown, J. D., Clanton, N. R., & Stein, J. L. (2000). Handshaking,

gender, personality and first impressions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

79, 110–117.

Steward, G. L, Dustin, S. L., Barrick, M. R., & Darnold, T. C. (2008). Exploring the handshake

in employment interviews. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(5), 1139-1146.

doi:10.1037/0021-9010.93.5.1139