Tricks to Mastering Handshake

By UCS Peer Coach, Giacomo Eisler – Class of 2022

Published: 12/11/2020

Here at the Undergraduate Career Center we have made the switch to Handshake as our tool of choice for a new virtual landscape. While it may seem daunting at first, we are here to help guide you through this new confusing world of online recruiting. Hundreds of thousands of companies are turning to Handshake to connect with students and hire for new positions. In this piece, we are going to highlight some tips and tricks to make sure you don’t miss out on any opportunities that might be perfect for you and your future.

Using Handshake for Your Job/Internship Search

To find new opportunities that match your interests:

  • Click “Job” > “All filters” > (customize filters to your specification) > “Show results” > view open positions > “Save your search”
  • You can filter based on Job Function, Industry, Job Capacity (full-time, part-time, internship, etc.), Work Authorization and much more.
  • If you know the type of job you are looking for, saving your searches is a nifty way to stay up to date with new positions that specifically interest you. When you save a search, you get email updates when new positions become available meeting your filtered criteria.

Engaging with Employers on Handshake

When you select to “follow” an employer on Handshake you stay in the loop on new positions they make available and other activity of their on Handshake (i.e. Virtual Fairs):

  • Click “Jobs” > “Employers” >*search specific employer or scroll the list of existing ones) > “Follow”.

The “Employer” section of Handshake is also a useful tool to research new companies you may not know about. By filtering through by location, size, industry, and other key characteristics you may stumble across an exciting company you had never heard of before.

Make sure you stay up to date with your resume and profile on Handshake because sometimes employers will reach out to you! On the Employer side of Handshake recruiters can find ideal candidates for their open positions based solely on their profile. Often, recruiters will invite those candidates to apply to their positions and open a dialogue that can be critical for securing the internship or job in the later stages of recruitment. Don’t be afraid to respond!

Your Handshake Profile

  • Save time by uploading your resume to auto-fill your profile with content.
  • Include a professional photo (similar to a LinkedIn photo).
  • Set your profile to be visible to employers, making it easier for them to engage with you.
  • Adding a short bio in the “My Journey” section of your profile will allow you to showcase who you are (similar to the “About” section on LinkedIn).
  • Update the “Your Interests” section on your profile to indicate types of opportunities you’re looking for, location preferences, roles, etc.
  • Selecting Career Interests on Handshake

Notifications

By selecting Your Profile (top right) > Notifications > Edit Notification Preferences you can decide how Handshake keeps you up to date to your preference.

Using Handshake to connect with Peer and Professional Coaches:

If Handshake still feels like too much to handle on your own, you can always start your journey at the “career center” tab on the homepage and make an appointment with a Professional Coach or Peer Coach to get started.