You're scanning a resume. Education looks solid. Skills are checked off. Then, at the very bottom, tucked under the hobbies or the "References available" line, you see it: A handshake is available upon request.
It’s weird, right? Maybe a little bold. In a world of Zoom calls and "As per my last email," the idea of a physical greeting feels like a relic from a 1950s boardroom. But honestly, it's becoming a thing. People are tired of being digital ghosts. We’ve spent years hiding behind LinkedIn profiles and AI-generated cover letters, and now, job seekers are trying to prove they actually exist in three dimensions.
I've talked to recruiters who have seen this popping up more lately. Some think it's a clever way to signal "soft skills" in a high-tech world. Others find it incredibly cringe. But if you're looking at that phrase and wondering if you should put it on your CV—or if you're a manager wondering why a Gen Z applicant just offered you their palm—there is a lot more going on here than just a polite gesture.
What "A Handshake is Available Upon Request" Actually Signals
The phrase isn't just about the physical act of gripping someone's hand and shaking it up and down. That’s the literal version. The subtext is much heavier. It’s a signal of interpersonal confidence. In 2026, where the "loneliness epidemic" is a constant headline and remote work has made us all a bit socially awkward, saying you're ready for a handshake is like saying, "I am a real human who knows how to behave in a room full of people."
Think about the traditional "references available upon request" line. It’s a standard placeholder. By swapping references for a handshake, the candidate is shifting the focus from their past (who they worked for) to their present (how they show up).
The Psychology of the First Impression
A 2008 study by the University of Iowa, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that handshakes really do matter in job interviews. They weren't just checking for "firmness." They found that a good handshake actually correlated with higher ratings of "hireability." It’s a social lubricant. It breaks the "touch barrier" in a professional, safe way that builds immediate rapport.
When a candidate writes that a handshake is available upon request, they are basically betting on their own charisma. They’re saying: I know that if we meet in person, you’re going to like me. It’s a power move, honestly.
Is This Just a Rejection of the Zoom Era?
Maybe. We’ve all had those interviews where the Wi-Fi cuts out right when you’re explaining your greatest weakness. It’s frustrating. By the time the video stabilizes, the "vibe" is dead.
The "handshake available" movement is part of a broader push for Return to Presence. It isn't necessarily about "Return to Office" mandates—those are a different beast—but rather about the value of high-stakes, in-person communication. If you’re applying for a role in sales, high-level consulting, or hospitality, your ability to walk into a room and command it matters. A PDF can’t show that. A handshake can.
However, there’s a flip side.
Post-pandemic etiquette is still a bit of a mess. Some people still don't want to be touched. Neurodivergent candidates might find the whole concept of a "performative handshake" stressful or unnecessary. So, by making it "available upon request," the candidate is trying to have it both ways. They are offering the traditional greeting without forcing it. It’s a "consent-first" approach to old-school business.
Why Recruiters are Divided on the Phrase
I’ll be real with you: some HR managers hate this.
I spoke with a tech recruiter in Austin who told me she saw this on a developer's resume and rolled her eyes. "I don't need to shake your hand to know if you can write Python," she said. To her, it felt like "resume fluff"—the kind of thing people add when they don't have enough actual experience.
But then there’s the other side. A partner at a boutique marketing firm told me it caught his eye because it showed "personality." In a sea of templates, a weird line makes you stop. Even if it's a bit goofy, it's memorable. And in hiring, being memorable is 90% of the battle.
The Regional Factor
Where you are matters. In London or New York, things move fast; people might find the "available upon request" line a bit too "theatrical." But in places with a more formal business culture—think parts of the Southern US, Germany, or Japan (where it might be a bow instead)—the acknowledgment of the greeting is a sign of respect for the process.
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The Logistics of the "Request"
How does this actually work? You don't usually "request" a handshake like you request a background check.
Usually, this phrase acts as a wink to the recruiter. It suggests the candidate is local and willing to come into the office. It’s a subtle way to say, "I’m not a digital nomad in Bali; I’m right here in the city, ready to work."
If you’re the one writing this on your resume, you have to be ready to back it up.
- Don't have a "dead fish" grip. If you've advertised the handshake, it better be a good one.
- Read the room. If your interviewer is wearing a mask or keeping a six-foot distance, don't lung forward with your hand out just because you put it on your resume.
- Keep it at the bottom. This is a footnote, not a headline.
Moving Beyond the Literal Handshake
The real takeaway here isn't about hands. It’s about the Human Premium.
As LLMs and AI agents take over the task of writing resumes and screening candidates, the "human" parts of the job become more valuable. Being able to look someone in the eye, read their body language, and offer a professional greeting is a skill that AI doesn't have.
We’re seeing a return to "analog" networking. People are going to mixers again. They’re joining professional associations that meet in actual buildings with actual coffee. The phrase a handshake is available upon request is just a clunky, funny, very 2026 way of saying: "I’m a person, and I’m ready to connect."
Actionable Steps for Navigating Modern Greetings
If you’re looking to use this or are encountering it in the wild, here is how to handle the "physicality" of modern business without making it weird.
For Job Seekers:
If you want to signal your social skills, you don't necessarily have to use the specific phrase "handshake available." You can say "Available for in-person coffee or interviews" or "Eager to discuss this role in a face-to-face setting." It achieves the same goal—showing you aren't a bot—without the potential "cringe" factor of the handshake line. But, if you’re applying for a "old-school" industry like Law or Real Estate, the handshake line might actually land quite well.
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For Hiring Managers:
Don't immediately bin a resume that has this. It shows the candidate is thinking about the personal side of the business. During the interview, you can even address it jokingly: "So, I saw the handshake offer—should we make it official?" It breaks the ice and lets you see how they handle a bit of humor.
For Everyone:
The "Request" part is the most important. Never assume. The world is different now. Always wait for a cue or ask, "Are we doing handshakes?" It sounds a bit clinical, but it saves everyone from that awkward "hand-meets-fist-bump" collision that ruins the first ten minutes of a meeting.
The business world is changing, but the need for trust isn't. Whether you put it on your resume or not, being someone who can look an employer in the eye and offer a firm, confident greeting is still one of the best career moves you can make. Just make sure your hands aren't sweaty.