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Setting Up Automated Source Codes for Handshake

Jennifer
  • Updated

Setting up automated source codes ensures that Handshake is consistently tracked as the candidate source in your Applicant Tracking System (ATS). 

Follow the steps below to configure your ATS to automatically recognize Handshake as a source, so every candidate from Handshake is reliably captured in your system. 

Premium features are for Handshake Premium accounts only. For more information, please check out this resource. 
 

 

Step 1: Identify the source parameter in your ATS

Before setting up automated source codes, identify which parameter your ATS uses to track candidate sources. Common parameter names include:

  • utm_source
  • source
  • ref
  • tracking_source

To locate the parameter:

  1. Log into your ATS.
  2. Navigate to the settings or integrations section where candidate sources are configured.
  3. Confirm the parameter your ATS uses to track sources.


After identifying the parameter, confirm that it matches one of Handshake’s supported parameters: 

  • gh_src
  • iisn
  • iis
  • src
  • source
  • ref
  • utm_medium
  • referral
  • utm_source
  • _jvst
  • _jvsd
  • sourceDetails
  • trid
  • lever-source%5B%5D
  • Source
  • rb
  • jobBoardSource
  • channel
  • rcid

Note: if your ATS uses a parameter not supported by Handshake, please note that an automated solution is currently unavailable. In this case, you will need to manually add source tracking to your job URLs when posting jobs. For additional guidance, please refer to your ATS documentation or contact your integration’s support team.

 

Step 2: Register "Handshake" as a candidate source in your ATS

Now, configure "Handshake" as a candidate source in your ATS:

  1. Access the ATS settings where global candidate sources are configured.
  2. Add "Handshake" as a new source, using the parameter name identified in Step 1. For example, if your ATS uses utm_source, enter "Handshake" as the value for utm_source.

Note: Ensure "Handshake" is entered exactly as shown. If your ATS alters it into a different string or characters, it may not function correctly.

 

Step 3: Test the source configuration

After setting up "Handshake" as a source, it’s important to test the configuration to ensure it works.

You can do this yourself by:

  1. Create a test job URL that includes the source parameter, e.g., www.yourcompanyname.com/job/123445/product-manager?source=Handshake.
  2. Submit a test application through this link.
  3. Check your ATS to confirm that the candidate's source is listed as "Handshake."

If everything appears to be correct, proceed to the next step. If not, revisit the configuration or consult your ATS support.

 

Step 4: Contact Handshake support for automation activation

Once steps 1–3 are completed successfully, reach out to Handshake support and request to activate the source code automation. Handshake will handle adding the correct source parameter and code to your job URLs automatically.

This ensures you won’t need to manually include the source when posting jobs on Handshake—just ensure that no one on your team removes the "Handshake" source setting configured in Step 2.