Handshake Hacks: Your Fast-Track to Jobs & Internships

Level Up Your Job Search: Essential Handshake Tips for Students

As a student, Handshake isn’t just another platform—it’s a dynamic stepping-stone to internships, jobs, networking, and career growth. Here’s how to make it work for you:

1. Optimize Your Profile

• Fill out your profile completely—including your resume, career interests, and experiences—to improve your recommendations and visibility to employers. (Profile – Handshake Help Center)
• Enable your profile visibility to other students and alumni (and approved recruiters) via Settings & Privacy → Community, so you can network effectively. (How to Make Your Profile Public and Share Your Profile Link – Handshake Help Center)

2. Maintaining an Updated Resume on Handshake

• Increased Visibility to Employers – Many employers search for candidates directly on Handshake. Having a polished, up-to-date resume makes you more likely to appear in searches and get contacted for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time opportunities. (How to Upload a New Document – Handshake Help Center)
• Streamlined Application Process – When you apply to jobs or internships on Handshake, your uploaded resume can be submitted instantly. Saves time and ensures you’re always submitting the most current version.

(Apply for a Job in Handshake – Handshake Help Center)

• Access to Tulane-Specific Opportunities – Freeman’s Career Management Center often posts exclusive job and internship listings for Tulane students. These opportunities often require a resume submission—having yours ready ensures you don’t miss out.

(Tulane Collections – Jobs | Handshake; Events | Handshake)

3. Use Search Strategically

• Combine keywords with filters—like job type, location, or role—for more relevant finds. If results seem off, try removing filters and refining by keyword.

(How to Search Using Labels – Handshake Help Center)

• Save searches and follow jobs or employers to receive timely alerts about new opportunities, events, and deadlines.

(Searching for Jobs and Internships – Handshake Help Center)

4. Tap into Q&A, Reviews & Messaging

• Check out the Q&A tab to explore common student questions or post your own for peer input.(Handshake)
• View employer and job reviews submitted by other students for honest insights into company culture and the application process.

(Accelerating Your Job Search: How to Land the Best Role and Company for You – Handshake Help Center)

• Use the Message feature to connect directly with students or alumni who have worked at companies you’re considering. Always select an appropriate topic (e.g. Interview Advice, Resume Advice), and use the customizable templates to get started. (Peer Messaging in Handshake – Handshake Help Center)

5. Network with Alumni & Peers

• Alumni connections are a goldmine. Alumni Hub allows you to search and filter alumni by factors like industry, location, recruiting activity, and more. Export this data for outreach or follow-up. (Alumni Hub – Handshake Help Center)
• Attend virtual events, career fairs, and networking sessions to connect with alumni and employers—you never know where a conversation might lead! (Events & Fairs – Handshake Help Center)

Bottom line: Handshake is often most effective when used in conjunction with other tools and is especially strong for finding unique, early opportunities or campus-specific listings. But some caution that not all postings get attention, so diversify your job search channels.

TL;DR: Handshake Hacks at a Glance

Final Thought

Handshake is a powerful career tool when you:

1. Build a strong profile,
2. Leverage filters, messaging, and networking,
3. Engage consistently, and
4. Pair it with other platforms like LinkedIn or company career sites.

Start early, stay proactive, and use every feature Handshake offers to maximize your opportunities. You’ve got this—and your future is wide open!