Looking for an internship or full-time job? Handshake is one of the most powerful tools available to you as a student. It’s more than just a job board—it’s a personalized platform designed to connect you with CLS advisers, events, employers, and opportunities that match your goals and skill development.
Here’s how to stay ahead of the game and make Handshake work for you in your job search:
Follow Collections to Stay in the Loop
Did you know you can follow job Collections on Handshake?
When you visit a Collection, simply click the black “Follow” button. That’s it! Once you follow a Collection, you’ll receive updates when new opportunities are added.
Why this matters:
- You won’t have to search from scratch every time.
- You’ll be among the first to know when new roles are posted.
- You can stay focused on opportunities that match your interests.
This small step can make a big difference in staying informed and competitive.
Complete Your Profile (Yes, It Really Matters!)
We strongly encourage every student to create and fully complete their Handshake profile—but many students haven’t done this yet.
A complete profile helps you:
- Receive personalized job and internship recommendations
- Discover opportunities by industry, job type, and location
- Show up in employer searches (if you choose)
You can even make your profile searchable by setting Profile Viewers to “Community (public)”. This allows employers to find you!
Once your profile is set up, you’ll start receiving weekly job listings tailored specifically to your interests. With hundreds of new postings added daily, this feature helps surface opportunities you might not have discovered on your own.
Think of your Handshake profile as your digital first impression—make it count.
Search Smart and Apply Early
Use keywords like:
- Location
- Employer name
- Job title
- Industry
When you find positions you like, click “Save” to keep track of them.
But here’s the key: Apply early.
Many employers review applications on a “rolling” basis, meaning:
- They evaluate candidates as applications come in.
- Positions may close once enough applications are received.
- Listings can expire once a role is filled.
If you’re interested in a specific company, you can also “follow” the employer—either through a job posting or by searching for them directly. It works similarly to following companies on LinkedIn, making it easy to stay updated on new openings.
Final Thoughts
Handshake is one of the best tools you have as a student to discover internships and full-time opportunities. By following Collections, completing your profile, and applying early, you’ll position yourself ahead of the competition.
Start today—your next opportunity might already be waiting.
