If you would like to delete your Handshake account, there are two ways to do so:
- Initiate via mobile app
- Partner with Handshake's Support Team
If your school has partnered with Handshake, you'll need to contact your school's Career Center directly to inform them of your deletion. Most institutions sync student information into Handshake as a service provider. When an account is deleted from Handshake, but not updated in the student information system, the next time the institution runs the sync, the account will be re-created (but defaulted to an unactivated account: fully private and not shared with anyone).
Note: once you delete your Handshake account, it can't be restored. You'll lose access to past messages and events.
Via mobile app
If you currently have the Handshake app downloaded on your iOS or Android device, follow the process below to delete your account. Otherwise, skip to Partner with Handshake's Support Team to proceed with your deletion.
1. Tap your Account icon, located in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then tap Account Settings.
2. Tap the Delete account button, located under Log out.
3. Within the popup, confirm that you would like to proceed with the deletion process by tapping the button Continue.
4. A confirmation email for the deletion will be sent to your email address.
If you aren't receiving the confirmation email, refer to Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Email and then click the button Resend email.
5. Go to your inbox and locate the email sent from Handshake. Click the red button Delete Handshake account, located at the bottom of the following email:
From: Handshake <mailer.joinhandshake.com>
Subject: Deleting your Handshake account
Message: "Final Step to Delete your Handshake account
Hi [NAME],
To delete the Handshake account associated with [EMAIL], confirm below below. This action can't be undone.
If you don't recognize this request or need help, please reach out to support@joinhandshake.com.
Thanks,
The Handshake Team"
6. Once confirmed, you'll be directed back to the mobile app. Handshake will indicate that we've received your request, and are working on deleting your account.
Note: this takes a couple of minutes.
7. Upon completion of the deletion, a final email will be sent to your inbox with the below email:
From: Handshake <mailer.joinhandshake.com>
Subject: Your account was deleted
Message: "Your account was deleted
Even though this breaks our heart a little, we successfully deleted your account.
Please note your school may automatically create accounts for students. You can reach out to your Career Services Center to confirm your account is deleted on their end."
Partner with Handshake's Support Team
If you would like to delete your account, and you don't have the Handshake app, you'll need to request an account deletion to Handshake's Support Team.
1. Submit a ticket indicating you'd like your account to be deleted.
2. When the request is received, our team will respond to acknowledge the request and confirm the intent to delete the account.
3. Once you confirm you'd like to delete the account, our team will confirm applicable Data Privacy Rights. After a short processing period, we remove all personal and identifying data from the profile, search results, and user directories, then archive it within our system, unless required otherwise by your institution (if they've partnered with us).
Our team may first try to help you update your account settings to accommodate common concerns resulting in deletion requests — providing these steps enable you to still enjoy the benefits of a Handshake account.
Recommendations instead of deleting your account
If your not currently looking for a job or internship, update your career interests — refer to step 4 in Update Your Career Interests.
If you have concerns about your account/data privacy, refer to Profile Privacy Options in Handshake.
If you would like to change your settings for notifications and emails received, refer to Default Notification Preferences to make the desired update.