To refuse to shake hands at an interview?

[Mehfruittea]

I'm the one interviewing.

I have EDS and my fingers dislocate easily. When I shake hands with someone, even a light grip hurts. If someone does a 'power pump' on me then my little finger joint dislocates at the top.

I did 2 interviews today and now my hand is killing. I've got 4 on Monday and 6 on Tuesday.

How do I get out of handshakes when I first meet someone? And without coming across like a dick or putting them off their interview?

Hold a folder or a clipboard in your arms and glance down at it confidently, then call them through, leading the way to the interview room. It will indicate that shaking hands is too awkward because you have something in your hands.

offer a fist bump? j/k the sling sounds good.

I knew a guy who only had his left arm, so he'd shake right hands with his left hand. Though, maybe that would be transferring the problem to your other hand?

why all the lies and weird excuses?

Just tell them what you said in the first post. How difficult can it be?

Wear a fake hand and scream when they pull it off

Get a hand from a mannequin, and hide it up your sleeve. use that to shake hands with, and/or let them pull it out in a jokey kind of way.

...

I'll get me coat.

Announce confidently that you've just picked your nose.

Or else waft a hand as if you've passed gas and say, "I'd stay put if I were you!"

"I won't shake your hand" sounds really strange and will make your candidates uncomfortable.

"I can't shake your hand, I have EDS" or "an injury" makes it less weird.

Why not just be honest?

I would just be honest and explain why

Vice and goldfish are right no point in making yourself more uncomfortable by wearing something you don't need. The fact that you've put up with this far makes you sound like you'd be a very considerate boss!

I agree "I won't shake your hand" sounds off

Smile, "Sorry, I have dodgy hands and am not supposed to shake," then move straight onto "Take a seat, would you like a cup of tea?" or whatever, so there isn't an awkward pause.

insancerre that would be discrimination and fortunately, it's illegal.

Oh god, some of these suggestions

LOL perking "Dodgy hands" and "not supposed to shake" makes her sound like a sex pest who's on her final warning by HR

I agree "I won't shake your hand" sounds off

Depends how you say it. With a smile and a pleasant tone, it sounds like 'can't' rather than 'won't' in a blocking kind of way.

Cough into your hand and then offer it? or just be honest, it's fine. You won't be the first.

Let your receptionist know that they need to brief the interviewee when they arrive that you can't shake hands (due to an injury).

Save your first interaction being slightly awkward with the interviewee sticking their hand out.

Put hand in a wrist splint and just say 'Hello, lovely to meet you, I won't shake hands as you can see! - do come in'

Smear some chocolate on your hand, sniff it, wince and say "Best not".

I would also buy a wrist splint in all seriousness. You can pick one up at a pharmacy.

monkey

I also like the idea of doing a big wet sounding sneeze into your hand as they walk into the room. Distracting your interviewee from their nerves would be a kindness.

In fact given today's experiences you could probably do with putting your hand in a splint for the next couple of days anyway!!

Stretchy bandage is perfect: it's not as dramatic as faking a sling, but a very clear excuse.

Don't do what other PPs have said and just say "I won't shake your hand" without an explanation - it's not fair to the interviewee who might think it's some kind of mind game or test and be thrown off their game. So as Fizzy says and just say "can't shake hands, sorry" whilst waving the bandaged hand. Really doesn't need to be a big deal.

Fizzy I was going to say a stretchy bandage might be no bad thing in any case!