At 24, I have been living out a crash course in real life business 101. Here's a little bit of what I have learned so far.
Tip #1: Power Handshakes
You can tell a lot about someone by the way they shake your hand. Firmness, posturing and time indicate far more than where you sit at the conference table. On a scale of Jello to granite, you want to shoot for stale play dough: firm enough to let them know you're alive and capable, but gentle and malleable enough that you can adapt and prove that you're not some meat-headed Dolph Lundgren type. I've now mastered the power play handshake: extend the hand and give a firm shake but pay no attention to the recipient. In fact, it's best if you start a conversation with someone else so you don't look too interested. Right when they release pressure to indicate that they are done with the handshake, give them a good squeeze to show that you control the handshake, and you're not done with them yet. Don't shake for too long because that might make it awkward.
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