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Log In as an Alum: Set your Handshake Password

Tawnya
  • Updated

If you are an alum, you can keep using Handshake after graduation!

To sign in without your school’s Single Sign-On (SSO), you’ll need to create Handshake credentials. This consists of the email address associated with your account and a password, or a linked Google or Apple account, which you can use directly on the Handshake login page.

  • If you already created a Handshake password in the past, sign in at the using that email and password.
  • If you used to sign in only through your school’s SSO, follow the steps below to set up Handshake credentials.

 

What to Do If You No Longer Have Access to Your School Email

Choose the option that matches your situation:

  • You had a Handshake account before: If you previously used Handshake but no longer have access to your school email, contact your school’s career center. Let them know you’re an alum who wants to continue using Handshake with a personal email address. Ask if they can update the email on your existing account. Updating your email helps keep your account connected to your school’s Handshake network.

  • You have never had a Handshake account: If you’ve never created an account, go to the and select Sign up. Then follow the steps in  to complete your registration.

 

Steps to Set Up Handshake Credentials

Use these steps if you used SSO before and now want to log in with a password or another method.

1. Go to the .

2. Either:

  • Select your school from the dropdown, or
  • Enter your email address in the field provided.
Select school or enter email.png

3.  Click Next. 

4. If you previously used your school’s SSO, you might be redirected to your school’s login page. Look for options such as:

  • Alumni Login – sends an email that guides you to set a password and create Handshake credentials.
  • Log in another way – allows you to either:
    • Receive a one-time password by email, or
    • Sign in with your Google or Apple account, if available.
Alumni Login.png

 

If you do not receive the password setup email or one-time password email, follow the steps in .

 

No account found with email

If you enter an email and get a message that no account was found:

  1. Check that your email address is typed correctly.
  2. Try other email addresses you may have used as a student (for example, personal vs school email).

If the message still appears, it can mean:

  • You never had a Handshake account with that email.
  • You used a different email address.
  • Your school archived an older account.

If you are not sure which applies:

  • Contact your school’s career center and ask whether you already have a Handshake account on file.
  • If they confirm you have no existing account, follow the Create a new Handshake account steps below.

 

Create a new Handshake account (when no account exists)

1. On the Handshake signup page, click  Sign up.

Couldn't find account.png

 

2. Enter the email address you want to use for Handshake, then click Next.

enter email address.png

 

3. Select your school from the dropdown, then click Next.

  • If you cannot find your school, select Continue without a school to register without being connected to a school.
  • If you do not connect with a school, you will not have access to all school-specific features in Handshake. For more details, refer to .
Find your school.png

 

 

4. If you continued with a school, you are prompted to:

  • Create a password that meets the requirements listed on screen.
  • Agree to Handshake’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
  • Enter your new password in both fields and select Create account.
Create a password.png

 

5. Enter the following information to finish creating your account:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Major
  • Education pursuing
  • Graduation month
  • Graduation year

If your school has additional required fields, complete those as well. When everything is complete, click Finish setup.

Finish setup.png

6. A confirmation email is sent to the email address you used for sign-up.

  • Open the email in your inbox.
  • Click the Confirm email button in the message.

email confirmation at registration.png

 

If you're having trouble receiving the confirmation email, refer to Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Email.

Once confirmed, you'll be directed to Handshake!

Note: If your school requires approval for new accounts, your account might show as pending.

  • To check your status, open your account menu by selecting your account icon (your initials or photo) in the upper-right corner.
  • Select School connections from the dropdown.
  • If your account stays pending longer than expected, contact your school’s career center for help.