Handshake is committed to keeping our platform safe for all users. Content that falls into the categories below is strictly prohibited and may result in enforcement action.
This policy applies to all text, images, audio, and video posted, uploaded, or messages on Handshake, including user profiles, résumés, job postings, video descriptions, comments, reviews, peer messages, and external links (both clickable URLs and references shared verbally in content).
Community Standards
Handshake is a platform for career-related discussion and opportunities. Content should contribute to users’ professional journeys, encourage authentic discourse, and remain respectful.
- Content not broadly career-related, or lacking context to be informative, may be removed.
- While political and social issue discussions are prohibited, job postings or discussions about jobs related to political campaigns, elections, or candidates are allowed.
- Threats or harassment against individuals, groups, or Handshake staff are strictly prohibited—both on and off the platform.
Prohibited Content
The following are broad categories of content that may be removed if we determine they apply, even if not explicitly listed here.
Violent Content
- Depictions or promotion of physical harm, injury, or violence against individuals, groups, or animals.
- Content that glorifies or threatens violence.
Harassment and Bullying
- Repeated, harmful, or intentional behavior meant to intimidate, harass, or cause distress.
- Insults, slurs, or degrading language targeting another person or group.
- Impersonating someone with the intent to harass, deceive, or harm.
Hate Speech
- Content that discriminates against, degrades, or incites violence or prejudice toward individuals or groups based on protected attributes (race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or similar characteristics).
Self-Harm
- Content that promotes, encourages, or depicts self-harm or behaviors that put an individual’s physical or mental well-being at risk, including eating disorders.
Sexually Explicit Content
- Content that explicitly depicts or describes sexual activity, genitalia, or intimate body parts.
Harm to Civil Discourse
- Behaviors or content that disrupt healthy, respectful discussion and undermine a safe community environment.
- Derailing discussions by posting off-topic, unrelated, or repetitive content that interferes with healthy, respectful conversation.
Illegal or Regulated Activities
- Promotion, facilitation, or engagement in unlawful actions or activities restricted by applicable laws or regulations.
Misinformation
- The spread of false, misleading, or inaccurate information that could cause harm or confusion.
Fraud, Scams, and Spam
- Phishing attempts, malicious links, malware, or other deceptive tactics.
- Repetitive or irrelevant content, including automated/bot-generated content.
- Content designed to disrupt discussions or overwhelm the platform.
- Recruitment content from non-employer accounts may be treated as fraud.
Learn How to Spot and Report Scams on Handshake.
Other Restricted Content
Jobs from Unapproved Employers or Recruiters
- Job postings, internships, or other opportunities from employers or recruiters not verified by Handshake.
All employers on Handshake go through a verification process. Learn more about How to Create an Employer Account on Handshake.
Commercial Content
- Buying or selling of products or services, including fundraisers, ads, or attempts to move users off-platform for transactions.
- “Get rich quick” schemes or similar solicitations.
Content Posted in Bad Faith
- Content created with the intent to mislead, deceive, or circumvent Handshake policies.
- Irrelevant or off-topic content unrelated to career development.
Authenticity
We expect users to be truthful about who they are and what they share. Fake or misleading information undermines trust on Handshake and will be removed.
- You may not use or attempt to use another person’s Handshake account, create a profile for someone else, or share your account credentials.
- Any attempt to buy or sell Handshake accounts will be reported to relevant law enforcement agencies.
- Custom URLs must represent you or your business. We may revoke URLs that belong to registered trademarks.
- You may not post or share false or misleading information, including fabricated credentials, achievements, or job opportunities.
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You may not impersonate another individual, business, or organization, or misrepresent your affiliation with them.
Enforcement
If your content violates this policy or our Terms of Service, it may be removed. You will be notified by email, and in some cases, your school or employer partners may also be informed.
Consequences for violations may include:
- Warnings
- Account limitations
- Temporary suspension
- Permanent removal from the platform
For certain types of violations, Handshake may restrict your account for the duration of an investigation. In these cases, your account will remain restricted until the investigation is complete and a final decision is reached. Some investigations may also require user action prior to accounts being reinstated. User action may include:
- Email responses to Trust & Safety outreach
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Supplemental account verification through Persona or phone
Reporting
If you come across content that violates this policy, please report it to our team by flagging the content in Handshake.
For more on how to flag content and details on how we moderate, refer to How Handshake Moderates Content on the Home Feed.