If you manage on-campus interviews in Handshake, you can choose from three interview schedule timeline types: Room Only, Open, and Preselect. Each type controls differently how students apply, get approved, and select interview slots.
Learn more about configuring these in School Settings: Interview Schedule Timelines.
What is a Room Only interview schedule?
A Room Only timeline reserves a room in Handshake, but the employer or school manages the interview setup and slot assignments outside of Handshake.
Students can apply for the attached job and get connected to the interview schedule for tracking and reporting purposes. Students cannot select or take slots in Handshake under this schedule type.
What is an Open interview schedule?
An Open interview schedule is a static timeline that lets qualified students take slots directly. Qualifications are set through the preferences on the attached job posting.
- If a student's profile and education information match the job preferences, the student can take a slot immediately after applying.
- If a student does not match the preferences, their status is marked Pending. A staff member must manually update the student to Primary before the student can sign up for a slot.
What is a Preselect interview schedule?
A Preselect timeline separates the process into distinct periods: students apply, the employer reviews applicants, and selected candidates sign up for slots.
- Students apply during the application period.
- After the application period ends, the employer reviews applicants and designates each one as Primary or Alternate.
- When the Primary signup period opens, Primary candidates select their slots.
- When the Alternate signup period opens, Alternate candidates select from the remaining slots.
- Once the signup period ends, students can no longer select, leave, or swap slots.
To understand the employer workflow, refer to How to Manage a Preselect Interview Schedule.