How to Use Handshake to Find Internships and Entry-Level Jobs as a Student

If you're a student or recent graduate looking for internships or your first full-time role, Handshake is one of the most direct paths to employers who are actively recruiting early-career talent. The platform is available for free through many colleges and universities, and unlike general job boards, the employers on it are specifically looking for students and new graduates. Here's how to make the most of it.

Start With a Complete Profile

Your Handshake profile is your first impression. Recruiters search the platform using filters like graduation year, skills, industries, and location, so an incomplete profile can make you invisible.

• Sign in with your school email or single sign-on credentials to activate your account.
• Fill in every section: education, graduation date, skills, work experience, campus involvement, and projects.
• Add relevant coursework, volunteer work, or side projects if you don't have formal experience yet — these count.
• Set your work authorization status accurately so employers know whether you're eligible for their roles.
• Upload a current resume and keep it up to date.

Aim for a fully complete profile before you start applying.

Set Career Interests and Job Alerts

Handshake personalizes recommendations based on your interests. Choose the industries, job functions, and locations you care about, including remote options. Then turn on job alerts so new postings that match your criteria land in your inbox. Early-career roles, especially internships, can close quickly once they attract enough applicants — alerts help you apply while a posting is fresh.

Search With the Right Filters

When you search, narrow results with filters that fit your situation:

• Job type: internship, part-time, or full-time
• Experience level: look for roles labeled early career or that ask for little to no prior experience
• Location: on-site, hybrid, or remote
• Industry and function: focus on the types of roles you actually want

Read postings carefully. Many employers on Handshake expect to train students and care more about your coursework, projects, and motivation than a long work history.

Apply Early and Tailor Every Application

Internship and entry-level recruiting often runs months ahead of start dates, so don't wait until the semester you want to work. Tailor your resume to each role by mirroring keywords from the description, and write a short, specific note about why the role fits you. Save versions of your materials so you can reuse them, and track where you've applied so you can follow up appropriately.

Use Virtual Fairs and Employer Events

Handshake hosts virtual career fairs and employer sessions where you can talk directly with recruiters. These events are underrated:

• Register early — sessions with popular employers fill up.
• Prepare a 30-second introduction covering your major, skills, and what you're looking for.
• Research each employer beforehand and bring two or three specific questions.
• Note the names of people you speak with so you can reference them when you apply.

Respond to Recruiters Quickly

Because employers can proactively message students whose profiles match their needs, your inbox can become a source of opportunities. Keep notifications on, check messages regularly, and reply promptly and professionally — even if you're not interested, a polite response keeps the door open for the future.

Tap Your Campus Career Center

Handshake is often the gateway to your school's career services. Book an appointment for a resume review or mock interview, ask about employer events on campus, and check whether your school uses the platform to schedule interviews. Career advisors can also help you interpret vague job descriptions and build a realistic search timeline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving your profile half-finished and wondering why recruiters don't reach out
• Waiting until senior year to start — early programs exist for first- and second-year students
• Sending identical applications to every posting
• Ignoring recruiter messages because they look like marketing

The Bottom Line

Handshake works best when you treat it as an active part of your search, not a listing board. A complete profile, targeted alerts, early applications, and genuine engagement with employers through events and messages will put you in front of recruiters who are specifically looking to hire students like you.