Weekend Wars: Hands vs. Eyes

I have yet to commission a full-fledged study, but I would bet the two most popular questions on WSO are:

1) How do I break into IB from a non-target?

2) Here's my resume, what do you think?

So many different responses, so many times a person told "use search function" and still we have yet to come up with a perfect formula.

Since we never will, here's a reminder of two small props that can help on your way.

The hands and the eyes .

I have spoken about their value before. It cannot be underestimated, no matter how simple it seems. Human beings have always formed opinions of one another quickly. As much as we like to talk about reason, it is our instincts which guide us.

Many a monkey has returned to the Oasis a beaten man after an interview in which he nailed all the brain teasers, wore the fit questions like a glove and had the spread collar-french cuff ratio hedged to alpha generating perfection...but didn't get the offer.

There's a factor often overlooked and underestimated. Two factors, each broken into two parts.

First, the prep. Wash that snot out of your eyes. Carry a quality handkerchief in your pocket. Don't give a palm full of soot to your interviewer and you're already ahead of competition. Clipping eagle talons and scooping up Rocky Patel shavings from beneath said claws, also highly recommended.

Second, the execution. Get comfortable looking people in the eye as you speak. This may sound simple, but I assure you it is not. I cannot recall the amount of times some fool (on occasion, yours truly) made a bad interview impression, struck out with a girl, offended a person of a different culture, etc...because they did not make solid eye contract.

Solid eye contact allows you to gauge the interest and mood of the person you are talking to. The visual cues are always there, you just have to look for them. Recognizing that MD doesn't want to hear all the details behind you mock-stock play in Fin 310 may be the difference between an offer and a send-off.

Handshakes are just as big. Firm, confident, two solid pumps combined with well interlaced thumb/index finger webbing. Crucial. If nervous remember handkerchief.

Mastering the eye contact/handshake combination will help you a ton. It won't get you the interview, but will help once you are there.

Over the years I have seen social skills triumph over intellect way too often to ignore hands and eyes as a valuable tool. When judgment day cometh and all resumes are set in stone, your interviewer's heard it all before. Focus on their eyes, execute the handshake and instill the confidence that your mere presence will inspire.

Your hands and your eyes are powerful weapons. Choose them and use them...wisely.