WHEN you spend as much time pressing the flesh as Ed Miliband, you would think he would have got it right by now.

But according to The Apprentice star Nick Hewer, the Labour leader has the “weakest handshake in Western Europe”.

Although it is a simple gesture, the handshake plays a key role in determining how others perceive you, according to the experts.

Life coach guru Sue Stone, of West Parley, says body language is crucial in making a good first impression.

“For me there is nothing worse than a limp shake – especially from a man. They say it can imply distrust, as if they are holding something back, whereas a positive posture and physiology will give you a head start,” she said.

“A firm handshake with good eye contact, keeping your shoulders back, with lots of positive energy and a nice smile is very powerful. People will naturally perceive you as a winner without even consciously thinking about it.”

Richard Tyler of BTFI Ltd based in Bournemouth, who specialises in personal development, says first impressions are usually formed within the first 30 seconds.

“Those first 30 seconds are hugely important in either going down the right road or potentially heading off down the wrong one,” he said.

“It is our most fundamental time for making an impact and research shows we gauge someone’s competency within 80 per cent of accuracy.

“Of course there are plenty of relationships that don’t always start off well but do turn around in time – but we don’t always get a second chance.

“I meet people who are hugely talented and good at their jobs but because they don’t tend to get that initial connection right they miss out on a wealth of opportunities.”

But he adds that you can’t blag it.

He said: “There are people who make a great impact but don’t have the right skills to back it up so although we need to be able to sell ourselves we have to be able to back it up.”

And a genuine smile is just as important as a good handshake. A genuine smile of pleasure can make a customer feel better – even if they are being over-charged, according to a new survey.

Fiona Sutherland of Great Transformations based in Poole, who specialises in thought pattern management, says how we think influences how we look and act.

“An image consultant will tell you that if a businesswoman wants to look authoritative then don’t have a bare neck or wear dangly earrings - and these little things do make a difference,” she said.

“But first impressions are based on not just what clothes they are wearing, people pick up on facial expressions too.

“How we think affects our behaviour – our body language, what we say, what we do, more than anything else.

“Most people can tell if a smile is genuine or not. Whenever I’ve coached someone I always say that you can’t fake sincerity because your body gives clues as to what is actually going on.

“According to NASA we have 32 different sensory perceptions so creating the right first impressions is not just about what you wear but also your intention.”