Handshake provides U.S. college students and recent graduates with a free, university-linked job board focused on entry-level jobs and internships. Access it through your school's career center portal or student email to search using keywords, job titles, IDs, employer names, or natural language queries in the search bar. Apply filters for location, job type, or remote options, save searches for email alerts, upload resumes to My Documents for one-click applications, and track statuses in My Jobs. All features follow official workflows from Handshake support, enabling setup in under 10 minutes for personalized recommendations from over 1,400 university partners. The iOS app supports mobile searches and applications.
Get Started with Handshake Account
Begin by verifying your student status with your university email or logging in via your career center portal, as detailed in the official getting started guide. This university affiliation unlocks access to student-specific opportunities.
Once logged in, complete your profile by adding details like your major, expected graduation year, and skills. A finished profile triggers personalized job recommendations tailored to your background. For mobile access, download the iOS app from the App Store to handle searches and applications on the go.
New users immediately see curated job listings from employers targeting campus recruiting. If your school lacks integration, contact career services to confirm eligibility - access requires active student or alumni status through a partner university.
Search for Jobs and Use Filters Effectively
Use the search bar at the top of the dashboard for targeted results. Enter keywords like "marketing intern," specific job titles, job IDs, employer names, or natural language phrases such as "remote software engineering roles for juniors," per the searching guide.
Refine results with filters for location (e.g., "New York, NY"), job type (internship or full-time), remote work options, specific employers, or date posted. Official tips suggest combining keywords with multiple filters to prioritize entry-level roles that match your criteria.
Save promising jobs by clicking the heart icon next to listings for quick access later. On the iOS app, replicate these desktop searches to review commute-friendly options during downtime. Practice with a query like "data analyst internship California" to see 5+ relevant results, then apply filters for U.S. cities only.
Set Up Job Alerts and Save Searches
Streamline your search by saving filtered queries. After running a search, click "Save Search" to set up email notifications for new matching jobs, as explained in the alerts support page. Give it a clear name, such as "Remote Internships East Coast," and enable email alerts.
This delivers daily or instant notices for fresh postings, helping you stay ahead during competitive campus recruiting cycles. Test the setup by saving a search like "marketing intern remote," then check your inbox or in-app notifications for confirmations. Adjust alert frequency in your settings to avoid overload while ensuring timely updates.
Upload Resume and Apply to Jobs
Prepare your materials in advance. Navigate to your profile's My Documents section and upload your resume as a PDF, following the upload guide. Use a descriptive filename like "JaneDoe_Resume_2026.pdf" for easy identification.
On any job page, review requirements, adjust filters if needed, and click "Apply." Select your uploaded resume, attach a cover letter if prompted, and submit - many applications use one-click submission for speed, per the apply article. The iOS app supports this full process on mobile. Upload tailored versions if employers specify formats.
Handshake Job Search Workflow Checklist
Follow this checklist to build and verify your complete job search system on Handshake. It includes a worked example: Search "marketing intern remote," filter to U.S. cities, save the search, and apply to the top result.
| Step | Action | Verified? | Notes / Worked Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | Sign up/log in with university email via career center | Profile complete with major, graduation year, skills | Personalized recs appear; e.g., marketing-related jobs show first |
| [ ] | Run first search (keywords + filters for location/job type) | 5+ results | "Marketing intern remote" + U.S. cities filter yields targeted internships |
| [ ] | Save search and enable email alerts | Alert toggled on | "Remote Marketing Internships" saved; test email confirms setup |
| [ ] | Upload resume to My Documents | File visible in profile | "JaneDoe_Resume_2026.pdf" uploaded and selectable |
| [ ] | Apply to one job (select resume, submit) | Confirmation screen | Top match applied; note any screening questions answered |
| [ ] | Check My Jobs for status | Listed with date applied | "Submitted" status; option to withdraw if needed |
| [ ] | iOS app downloaded/tested (optional) | Mobile search works | Syncs saved searches; apply to a job via phone |
Revisit this checklist weekly. If access delays occur due to school approval, follow up with career services.
Track Applications and Manage My Jobs
After applying, monitor progress in the My Jobs section, which shows statuses like "Submitted," "Reviewed," or on-campus interview invitations, as covered in the status guide. Filter views by applied jobs, saved items, or scheduled interviews.
Manage entries using the three-dot menu to edit submissions, withdraw applications, or add notes. This central hub also lists virtual career events. Check daily, especially during peak seasons like fall recruiting, to respond promptly to employer updates.
Common Mistakes and Limits to Avoid
Broad searches without filters lead to irrelevant results - always layer location, job type, and remote preferences for better matches. Skipping resume uploads blocks applications entirely; prepare documents first.
Saved searches without alerts mean missing new postings - double-check toggles. Note limits: Access ties to university affiliation, so non-students face restrictions. Natural language outperforms generic keywords, but results depend on your school's employer partnerships - contact career services if listings seem limited. Mobile web serves as a workaround for non-iOS users.
Next Steps After Handshake Setup
Run saved searches weekly and act on alerts immediately. Explore on-campus events and employer spotlights listed in the platform through your career center.
For broader reach, combine with general job boards when university postings slow. Attend Handshake webinars via school services to refine your approach. Complete one full cycle today: search, save, apply, and track to build momentum.
FAQ
How do I access Handshake without a student email? Use alumni status or school guest access if available; otherwise, eligibility requires university affiliation.
Does Handshake have an Android app? iOS app only; use the mobile web version for Android compatibility.
What if my application status doesn't update? Wait 1-2 weeks, then check with the employer via the job page or resubmit if allowed.