Shaking hands with multiple interviewers

Valmont

I have the mother of all interviews for a dream job on Wednesday. While the caffeine pills should prepare me for anything the six-person panel can throw at me, it occurred to me that I don't know whether I should shake all of their hands when I walk in? My instinct would be usually to shake hands in most environments but would it seem a bit odd and awkward to shake each individually? Should I leave it to the end or just decide when I walk in and read the room? Thanks.

endacl

You set the tone when you walk into the room. Doesn't matter if you've met them all before. Do you want to be the candidate who didn't shake hands?

Best if luck with it, by the way. Go easy on the caffeine!

Robsweezie

Valmont wrote:

I have the mother of all interviews for a dream job on Wednesday. While the caffeine pills should prepare me for anything the six-person panel can throw at me, it occurred to me that I don't know whether I should shake all of their hands when I walk in? My instinct would be usually to shake hands in most environments but would it seem a bit odd and awkward to shake each individually? Should I leave it to the end or just decide when I walk in and read the room? Thanks.

Six people? Surely that's a bit OTT and intimidating no? would've thought interviews are one on one, how do you feel about the extra faces?

anyway you could arrive with a greeting that acknowledges everyone and doesn't feel awkward. If you're lucky they might initiate the handshakes first, if there is to be any at all. Do what feels right in the moment, trust your instinct.

Valmont

Good point endacl, I'd rather have a potentially awkward moment of hand-shakes than be the only candidate who didn't bother! I have some small hand-outs for a presentation which I think will give me an excuse to shake hands when I pass them around if the opportunity doesn't obviously arise. Robsweezie, I was surprised at the number of interviewers but if they hire me I'll be working with all of them regularly so I suppose they all want to have a say. That's the least of it though - after my interview with the panel, I walk straight into another interview with a council of young people to assess whether I'm hip enough to relate to their peers. I may have close to fifteen hands to shake in two hours. :eek:

MojoRisinnnn

Firmly shake all of their hands. I would rather someone spat in my face than give me weak handshake

towelly

Shake hands if they offer to shake hands, otherwise sit down.

hardCopy

Caffeine Pills before an interview? I'd be bouncing off the walls.

frag420

MojoRisinnnn wrote: »

Firmly shake all of their hands. I would rather someone spat in my face than give me weak handshake

Spitting never worked for me:P

seamus

You have to play this by ear.

Will you actually meet all six people at once? I doubt that. If you do, then it's really a matter of how awkward a handshake is going to be. If they're sitting on the opposite side of table, then are you going to make them, all stand up and lean over to shake your hand? Awkward.

In that case, wait for them to make the first move. If they stand up to greet you, then shake their hand. Otherwise if they invite you to sit, then sit.

If they lead you into an empty meeting room and ask you to wait, then it would be appropriate to stand and shake everyone's hand as they enter the room.

jameshayes

If this is a dream job you should seriously consider some interview coaching before you go in. I know its tomorrow but if you get on the phone today you might even get a telephone coaching session before tomorrow.

People seriously underestimate the value of interview coaching, even if it costs 1000 euro, you'll more than likely make that back in 1 year in a new job..

And make sure you shake all the hands - if I was sitting on a panel and someone didn't shake my hand it'd be weird

Tell me how

Definitely handshake if all people present are part of the interview panel.
It gives both parties an opportunity to connect and to assess is this person interested and confident or meek and distracted.


Personally I think the eye contact during the handshake as you repeat their name is as important as the handshake itself.

Valmont

Thanks everyone. Regarding caffeine pills, I've been using them to get up to speed on the work - I will not have any caffeine pills before the interview! It's a bit late in the day for interview coaching but I'm confident that I'll do my best not matter which way it ends up. My main concern with the handshakes was that they would have to lean awkwardly if they were all sat far away but a good point was raised that I may not even meet them all at once. Ok, I'll let you know how I get on.

skallywag

A definite +1 on the firm handshake. If I am interviewing some who offers me a limp handshake then there is an immediate negative bias set in my mind, as unfair as that may sound.

Mrs OBumble

Maybe it's gender thing, but I'd never initiate a handshake.

By all means, be ready to do the room if one of the panel proffers a hand. But don't bound into the place like an energiser bunny bestowing firm handshakes on all and sundry. Read the room / situation and respond to it, don't force it.

MojoRisinnnn

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Maybe it's gender thing, but I'd never initiate a handshake.

By all means, be ready to do the room if one of the panel proffers a hand. But don't bound into the place like an energiser bunny bestowing firm handshakes on all and sundry. Read the room / situation and respond to it, don't force it.

You could shake everyone's hand in the room in and say hello in about 15 seconds and shows you're thankful to meet everyone and appreciative of their time, if you don't you just run the risk of being the person who didn't make an effot and could potentially cost you the job if it was tight between you and another candidate.

Celly Smunt

The best advice I ever got was to look at their hands,if they're holding pens and sitting the likelihood is they're not in for a handshake,if they move upright and their hands are free then they're waiting for a firm one. Judge the situation and set the mood,the rest will follow.

seamus

MojoRisinnnn wrote: »

You could shake everyone's hand in the room in and say hello in about 15 seconds and shows you're thankful to meet everyone and appreciative of their time, if you don't you just run the risk of being the person who didn't make an effot and could potentially cost you the job if it was tight between you and another candidate.

Well, I disagree, but I guess it's personal style. I would never dismiss a candidate for being "disinterested" unless they refused to my offer of a handshake or gave me a limp handshake. If they came in, said "Hi" and sat down, then I wouldn't mark them down versus the guy who walked up to the table for a handshake.

If I was on any kind of large panel, I would find individual handshakes and greetings very odd indeed. How big is too big? Hard to say.

Certainly if you had ten guys around a meeting table, then definitely far too many people there to be going around shaking hands.

I would say if there are more than 3 interviewers there, then don't be the one to initiate a round of handshakes. Otherwise, it can't do any harm.

Valmont

This is the first real interview interview I've had. I've only ever interviewed for various menial jobs or been given other jobs through friends and connections. I am extremely nervous now even though it isn't until tomorrow at 11.00. I know some mindfulness exercises but can anyone advise on how to not walk in shaking?!

heldel00

Valmont wrote: »

This is the first real interview interview I've had. I've only ever interviewed for various menial jobs or been given other jobs through friends and connections. I am extremely nervous now even though it isn't until tomorrow at 11.00. I know some mindfulness exercises but can anyone advise on how to not walk in shaking?!

I'll light a candle for you OP

(That works right?)

Valmont

Once I start talking I'll be fine.

seamus

seamus wrote: »

Well, I disagree, but I guess it's personal style. I would never dismiss a candidate for being "disinterested" unless they refused to my offer of a handshake or gave me a limp handshake. If they came in, said "Hi" and sat down, then I wouldn't mark them down versus the guy who walked up to the table for a handshake.

If I was on any kind of large panel, I would find individual handshakes and greetings very odd indeed. How big is too big? Hard to say.

Certainly if you had ten guys around a meeting table, then definitely far too many people there to be going around shaking hands.

I would say if there are more than 3 interviewers there, then don't be the one to initiate a round of handshakes. Otherwise, it can't do any harm.

I disagree. How would it be odd?

Own the room, shake their hands and acknowledge the people in the room. You're selling yourself, don't sell yourself short. If they find it odd that a candidate wants to shake their hands then don't accept the job if you can help it !

Valmont

I'll tell them about the furious debate I've generated if I'm doing well.:D

endacl

Valmont wrote: »

This is the first real interview interview I've had. I've only ever interviewed for various menial jobs or been given other jobs through friends and connections. I am extremely nervous now even though it isn't until tomorrow at 11.00. I know some mindfulness exercises but can anyone advise on how to not walk in shaking?!

A couple of bananas about an hour beforehand. Packed with potassium. Nature's beta blocker.

Go in. Be yourself. Be grand. G'luck.

mahamageehad

Before going in convince yourself that you are the right person for the job. Not because you want it or because it's the dream job, genuinely convince yourself that you are the best person for the role and list the reasons why.

This will allow you to go into the interview confident but not cocky and it's will help disguise any nerves. Best of luck tomorrow, I have an interview tomorrow myself.

endacl

Don't forget to laugh. And remember....

You're the best!

Valmont

Well after all that the panel of six turned out to be a panel of three and hand shaking was easy. I think I gave a good account of myself but you never know. There is another interview if I've been accepted so we'll see. I sent a thank you card after the interview - what are people's thoughts on this? Thanks for the advice.

MarkAnthony

Anyone else get this image after caffeine pills being mentioned in the OP? :pac:

3 Panel too!

cloudatlas

If they want to shake your hand they will get up and meet you half way.

Caffeine pills?! I would say tranquilizers will be in order.

Chemical Byrne

MojoRisinnnn wrote: »

Firmly shake all of their hands. I would rather someone spat in my face than give me weak handshake

Yeah, nothing worse than a limp, watery handshake. Flacid is never a good thing.

Valmont

I need to clarify that I took caffeine pills to study in the days leading up to the interview - not before the interview itself. That would have been a bad idea!

endacl

Valmont wrote: »

I need to clarify that I took caffeine pills to study in the days leading up to the interview - not before the interview itself. That would have been a bad idea!

I must admit, I was kinda imagining...

FloatingVoter

....or else showing up straight and telling the truth.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHc9w5l2XIk

Valmont

Out of a few hundred overall applicants, I was offered the job! They said it was my excellent handshake etiquette!

skallywag

Valmont wrote: »

Out of a few hundred overall applicants, I was offered the job! They said it was my excellent handshake etiquette!

Fair play

endacl

Valmont wrote: »

Out of a few hundred overall applicants, I was offered the job! They said it was my excellent handshake etiquette!

So.... you're claiming the bananas made no contribution? :mad:

Well done you. Best if luck with it,

Valmont

Endacl, just to be safe, I did in fact eat two large bananas on my way to the interview!

towelly

Deleted User wrote: »

I disagree. How would it be odd?

Own the room, shake their hands and acknowledge the people in the room. You're selling yourself, don't sell yourself short. If they find it odd that a candidate wants to shake their hands then don't accept the job if you can help it !

One thing some good salespeople do, is only shake a customer's hand at the start of a first time meeting if they offer their hand. Otherwise, get on with the conversation and build rapport.

towelly

towelly wrote: »

One thing some good salespeople do, is only shake a customer's hand at the start of a first time meeting if they offer their hand. Otherwise, get on with the conversation and build rapport.

Having a presence particularly in an interview setting or if leading a meeting amongst new customers is equally important and to do that I'd always shake the hand of the people i'm meeting. In sales, it's incredibly important to come across as confident and in control.