We collect work authorization information directly from you to improve your application process and ensure your time is well-spent applying and interviewing.
The work authorization information provided by you determines if you are considered qualified or not qualified for employer preferences on job postings and requirements on virtual fair 1:1 sessions.
The only instance in which this field is used to determine your qualification on job postings is if both of the following circumstances are true:
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- (1) you have not ever answered these questions AND
- (2) a Career Services user is submitting an application on the your behalf
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Click on the expandable headers to learn more!
Work Authorization - Set and Update Your Information
Handshake work authorization information consists of 2 questions –– you must either answer both questions or opt out of sharing. After you've answered the questions once, you will not be prompted to answer again.
- Select Yes/No for both questions:
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?
- Select the checkbox for Prefer not to answer these questions.
- There is a tooltip to the right of this option with a "?" icon - hover over the icon to display the following tooltip:
- If you select "Prefer not to Answer", then you will show up when an Employer filters for students who don't require sponsorship or if they filter for students who do require sponsorship.
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If they look at your work experience field they will see status listed as "Unknown." Students who have yet to answer these questions will also be listed as "Unknown.
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If you have DACA and don't know how to answer, here is a resource on how to answer these questions: www.informedimmigrant.com/guides/daca/#employment-rights-daca
- There is a tooltip to the right of this option with a "?" icon - hover over the icon to display the following tooltip:
How to set or update your information
You can set or update work authorization information at any time via Settings.
Click on your account icon in the upper-right corner of Handshake, then click Settings. Scroll to the Work Authorization section, select the preferred answer(s), then click Save Update.
If you haven't provided this information previously via Settings, you'll be prompted to select work authorization when you create your first job application, or if you haven't applied for a job in Handshake yet, when you register for a virtual fair.
Note: if you check the option "Prefer not to answer these questions", you will be FULLY QUALIFIED for all posting preferences or virtual fair sessions with work authorization requirements.
Job Search Filter
You can filter job searches by work authorization requirements by clicking All filters on the job search page.
Scroll to the Work authorization section – there are two checkboxes that correspond with the questions both employers and students answer. Select your preference(s), then click Show Results:
- Open to US visa sponsorship
- Open to Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Open to Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- No US work authorization required
- Unknown
Work Authorization Qualifications
Note: if you check the option "Prefer not to answer these questions", you will be FULLY QUALIFIED for all posting preferences or virtual fair sessions with work authorization requirements.
Virtual fair 1:1 session qualifications
For virtual fair 1:1 sessions, if the employer has set work authorization qualifications and your selections do not meet their qualifications, you will not be able to view or sign up for their 1:1 sessions.
Job posting preferences
When viewing a job posting, the work authorization selected by the employer is shown under the "At a Glance" section.
If you're interested in how your qualification status displays to employers, refer to the examples in our employer-facing article.