To log into Handshake as an alum, you’ll need to set up Handshake credentials, particularly if you’ve been logging in through your school’s Single Sign-On (SSO) system.
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If you’ve already set up Handshake credentials, you can continue using the platform and access nearly all features as before.
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If you’ve been using SSO to log in, follow the steps below to set up your Handshake credentials.
What to Do If You No Longer Have Access to Your School Email
You have two options if you no longer have access to your school email:
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If You Had an Account Previously
If you had a Handshake account but no longer have access to your school email, contact your school’s career center. They can initiate an email change request to update your account with a personal email address. This will allow you to stay connected to your school’s Handshake instance. -
If You’ve Never Had an Account
If you’ve never created an account, you can choose to "Continue without a school" during the login process. Follow the steps in Getting Started with Handshake and click the Continue without a school link to register without connecting to a school. Please note that if you don’t connect to a school, you’ll have limited access to Handshake’s features and resources.
Steps to Set Up Handshake Credentials
1. Go to https://app.joinhandshake.com/login
2. Select your school from the drop-down, located below the "Students & Alumni" option.
3. Enter the email associated with your Handshake account, then click the blue button Next.
If no account is found for your email address, follow the instructions below for No account found with email.
4. On the next page, click the blue button Get Started.
5. An email is sent to your inbox to confirm your account. Open the email from your inbox and click the Set My Password link.
If you're having trouble receiving the confirmation email, refer to Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Email.
6. After confirming your email, you'll be prompted to create a password. Your password must be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of at least two each: letters, numbers, and special characters. Enter your new password in the provided spaces, then click the blue button Next.
Once your password is set, you’ll be able to sign in to Handshake.
No account found with email
If no account is found for the email you entered, double-check that you’ve entered the correct email address and that it’s spelled correctly. If the information is correct, it’s possible that your school has archived the account associated with your school email. To create a new account, follow the steps below.
1. Click the "I'm a student or Alumni" option.
2. Create your account by entering your email address in the provided space, then click Continue.
3. Select your school from the dropdown, then click Continue.
Can't find your school during the signup process? Click the link Continue without a school to continue the registration process without being affiliated with a school. Please note that if you do not connect with a school instance, you will not have access to all the features Handshake has to offer. Alternatively, you can refer to School not Found on Handshake for more information.
4. If you continued with a school, you'll be prompted to create your password and agree to Handshake's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your password must be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of at least two each: letters, numbers, and special characters. Enter your new password in the provided spaces, then click click Create account.
5. Enter the following information to finish creating your account:
- First name
- Last name
- Education level
- Graduation month
- Graduation year
If your school has additional required fields, complete those as well. Once everything is filled out, click Next.
6. A confirmation email is sent to your inbox. Open the email from your inbox and click the Confirm email button.
If you're having trouble receiving the confirmation email, refer to Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Email.
Once confirmed, you'll be directed to Handshake!