Graduation doesn’t end your access to Handshake. As an alum, you can continue using your existing account to search for jobs, stay connected with employers, and engage with your school’s career center. This guide outlines what you can do after graduating and how to make the most of your account for long-term use.
Note: Alumni accounts aren’t separate or different—there’s no need to create a new account. Simply keep using your current one.
What you can do as an alum
You can continue to use Handshake much like you did as a student.
- Search and apply for jobs
- Keep your profile up to date: Add new roles, skills, and accomplishments as your career grows. A current profile makes it easier for employers to find you and judge whether you are a match for their roles. Learn more in Completing your Profile in Handshake.
- Message and respond to employers: Employers can still reach out to you, and you can reply to learn more about roles, teams, and company culture. These conversations can lead to interviews or future opportunities. Learn more in Responding to an Employer Message on Handshake.
- Connect with other alumni: Use Handshake to reach other alumni from your school and in your field. Alumni can share advice, referrals, and insight into different career paths.
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Access career services resources (when available): Many schools continue to offer alumni access to events, advising, and other services through Handshake. Availability depends on your school’s policies, so check with your career center for what is offered to alumni.
Tip: Don't stop using Handshake after your first role. You can continue using it to explore your second, third, and later opportunities as your experience grows!
Keep your Handshake access after graduation
To avoid losing access when your school email or SSO changes, we strongly suggest the below before or shortly after graduation:
- Update Your Email: Your school typically creates your account using your institution email address. To maintain long-term access, add a personal email (such as Gmail) and set it as your primary email. This ensures you can continue receiving notifications from Handshake and log in even after losing access to your school email. To learn more about updating your primary email address, refer to Update Your Primary Email Address in Handshake.
- Create Handshake Credentials: If you previously signed in only through your school’s SSO, you’ll need Handshake-specific credentials so you can log in without SSO once you are an alum. To create your Handshake credentials, check out Log In as an Alum: Set your Handshake Password.
- Account Approval: Some schools may require approval for alumni accounts. If this is the case, you can connect with your school's career center for more information. To locate your school's contact information in Handshake, refer to How to Locate your School’s Contact Information in Handshake.