As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview. But research has 1 that a firm handshake is what really 2 when it comes to impressing potential employers. 3 previous studies have shown a limp, “wet fish” handshake indicates shyness, and a firm “pump” 4 , there has been little evidence about the effect this has 5 an interviewer. The U.S. research looked at 98 undergraduates 6 mock interviews with businesses. As each was graded o their 7 performance, five “handshake raters” also marked them on their grip, strength, 8 vigor and eye contact. Professor Greg Stewart, from the University of Iowa, who led the study, said those who 9 highly with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most 10 by the interviewers. Students with “wimpy” shakes were judged to be more timid and 11 impressive. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology , also found women with a firm handshake were 12 to be evaluated more favorably than their male 13 . Professor Stewart said: “We’ve always heard that interviewers 14 their mind about a person in the first two or three minutes of an interview. But we found that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the 15 for the rest of the interview. We don’t consciously remember a person’s handshake but it is one of the first 16 clues we get about the person;s overall personality, and that impression is 17 we remember.” Women were less likely to have a highly rated handshake, partly 18 traditionally they shake hands less than men. But when women did 19 a firm handshake, they were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts. Body language experts warn, however, that the firmness needs to be just right, as an over zealous “ bone crusher ” handshake can indicate egotism, a controlling personality and 20 trustworthiness.