Handshake is the the #1 way college students find jobs!
Handshake is a free tool for all UW–Madison students and is the best way to connect with employers, find jobs and internships, and learn about career events put on by your career office. Handshake is different from other job platforms because it was created specifically to connect employers with college students. All the jobs you see on Handshake are posted for students and the employers are actively recruiting from UW-Madison.
As a UW-Madison student, you already have a Handshake account! All you have to do is activate it by logging into Handshake through the mobile app or by visiting wisc.joinhandshake.com and making your profile public to employers.
The more information you add to your profile, the easier it will be for Handshake to give you recommendations and personalized content!
Log in to Handshake
Why Should I Use Handshake?
Find a Job or Internship
Handshake simplifies your job or internship search by providing postings from a vast number of employers on a single platform. Learn more about Handshake’s search functionality to help identify the right job or internship for you!
Get Personalized Recommendations
Customize your notifications and job recommendations on Handshake based on your career interests to find the right opportunities for you!
Attend Campus Career Events
Discover events offered by your career center like career fairs, employer meet and greets, resume workshops, and more. Find the right career events for you!
Helpful Ways to Use Handshake
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Download the Handshake App
One of the best ways to interact with Handshake is through the mobile app! Handshake offers a free mobile app for both iOS and Android devices in the respective app stores.
Handshake knows that students are busy, and convenience is key. You can use Handshake’s mobile app to:
- Explore events, fairs, and jobs
- Apply for jobs
- Access and register for on-campus interviews
- Schedule appointments
- View and respond to messages
- Receive notifications for application deadlines and upcoming events
- Check into an event via QR code
- And much more!
Explore Student Q&As to Learn More About Jobs and Employers
If you have questions about searching and applying for jobs, you’re not alone. Students on Handshake crowd-source their questions in the Q&A library. In Q&A, you can explore previously asked questions, or submit your own!
Message Students and Alumni
Want a more personal way to connect with others on Handshake? Did you know you can message students and alumni who’ve found jobs and internships through Handshake, and find out how they did it? Any student or alumni you see in Handshake with a “Message” button listed on their profile has indicated that they’re open to connecting. Learn more about messaging students and alumni here.
You can find peers to message the following ways in Handshake:
Follow the Employers You Like on Handshake
Following an employer in Handshake has many benefits as it provides notifications to you when key activities occur that you may be interested in. This includes when a new job is posted to your school, the employer is hosting an event, or the employer is attending a fair at your school. Learn how to follow employers on Handshake here.
Handshake Help Resources
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How do I activate and login to my Handshake account and make it public?
If you are an enrolled, degree-seeking student you automatically receive a UW–Madison Handshake account. You do not need to create an account, you just need to activate your existing account by logging in to Handshake with your NetID credentials.
Here are three ways to log in to Handshake:
- Download and log in through the Handshake mobile app with you NetID credentials
- Log in with your NetID credentials at wisc.joinhandshake.com
- Use the Handshake tile on MyUW and login with your NetID credentials
Students should activate their Handshake account during (if not before) their first semester at UW–Madison.
Please note that your profile’s default setting is set to “hidden,” so employers, alumni, and students won’t be able to see anything until you choose to make it public by changing your privacy settings. To make your profile public to employers, click the button on the right-hand side of your profile that says “Make Profile Public.”
If you have questions, please contact your school or college career office. You can also read the Student Terms of Use policy here.
How do I update the information in my profile?
Some information on your profile can be updated directly in Handshake, including:
- Preferred name
- Graduation date
- School Year
Other information is pulled directly from the university student information system, including:
- Education Level
- Majors
- Minors (Certificates)
- Departmental and cumulative GPA
- College
If any of the above is inaccurate, please work with your academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office to have this information corrected.
The information that comes from the University is updated weekly, so know that there may be a delay between requesting changes and seeing them in Handshake.
How do I register for a career fair, workshop, or interview?
Go to the Events tab in your Handshake profile.
From there select the event you are interested in and select “Register.” Make sure to read over the event details to see if there is any additional information you should be aware of to prepare for your upcoming event!
How do I hide my GPA from employers?
Open your UW-Madison Education section and select “Hide from employers” on the GPA you would like hidden.
How do I change my school year on Handshake?
Your school year is an important piece of information in Handshake, and it can help you get the most out of the system. Having a blank or incorrect school year may inadvertently exclude you from job posting qualifications, career fairs, employer events, or important communications from your career center.
If you would like to display a different school year on your Handshake profile, you can change it by clicking the pencil icon next to your name:
When you graduate, we will automatically set your Handshake school year to Alumni. If you enroll in graduate school, we will automatically set your school year to Masters or Doctorate – depending on your program. Otherwise, as long as it’s not blank, we won’t modify your Handshake school year again and it will be up to you to keep this designation up to date.
Where do I go if I have more questions?
You can visit the Handshake student help center or email handshake@careers.wisc.edu if you have additional questions!
UW-Madison’s Handshake Use Legal Disclaimer
Handshake is a platform where employers seeking to hire UW-Madison students can advertise job opportunities. UW-Madison does not vet employers who advertise on Handshake and makes no representations about the reputation or safety of the employer, nor does UW-Madison warrant the accuracy of the job description or compensation. Students who use Handshake to find employment are responsible for conducting their own inquiry to determine whether the job opportunity is appropriate for them.