Handshake 101: How to Navigate Handshake

Welcome to Handshake 101! With so many job search sites on the internet, Handshake is the premier site for connecting UIC students to a wide variety of employers and opportunities thanks to UIC Career Services. Handshake will help you gain meaningful experiences during college and beyond.

Many students may find that they don’t have the necessary experience to qualify them for a job. However, Handshake’s sole purpose is to help students get a foot in the door by making it easier for them to find internships, as well as part-time, on-campus, and full-time job opportunities. Follow our guide below to create a Handshake profile today!

Each university has a unique website for students to login to, so make sure you are logging into the UIC Handshake. To get started, visit uic.joinhandshake.com.

Once logged in, you will be prompted to create a profile where you can add a brief description of who you are, any experience you’ve had in work or leadership, and any classes you have taken so far. You can upload documents that only employers can see such as a resume, transcripts, or certificates. Another cool feature is the automatic integration of your education status on your profile, such as your cumulative GPA, major, and minor.

After setting up your profile, you can start exploring opportunities. You can find opportunities in the “Jobs” tab that will be catered to your area of study. For example, since I’m majoring in marketing the opportunities that show up for me are all related to that area. This eliminates the hassle of having to search up keywords like “marketing internship” or “communications internship.” You can further filter results by looking up paid opportunities, part-time, or even the location you want to work in.

Now let’s say you find an opportunity that you want to apply for. Depending on the job post, you can send your resume directly through Handshake, or you will be given step by step instructions to successfully turn in an application.

Another feature that is unique to Handshake is the integration of events. Through the UIC Handshake portal, you now have access to UIC career fairs, programming, workshops, and events. This is a great way to interact with employers and learn about career-related tips and resources. Handshake also allows employers and recruiters to personally message you on the platform, so you can continue any conversations you may have started at a job fair.

I hope this short guide can help you on your employment journey. You’ve got this!