FAQs: XML Job Feed

1. What fields are required for the XML job feed?

For XML field requirements, accepted values, salary structure, and location formatting, refer to XML Job Feed Requirements.

1. Where do I enter the XML URL?

In Handshake, navigate to your Company Settings, then click the Job Feed tab located in the left-hand side menu. Paste your XML job feed URL into the Job feed link field, then click Validate.

1. Does the XML feed post jobs to all schools / the full network? 

No. Jobs are only posted to schools where the employer is auto-approved. 

Note: A job may still need to meet school-specific criteria. For example, some schools do not allow unpaid or temporary positions, and some jobs may still require additional approval.

2. Who can post jobs via the XML feed?

Only users with Owner or Admin roles.

1. Will all jobs from the XML feed be posted to Handshake automatically, or can I limit postings to only early career/entry-level roles?

Only the jobs included in the XML feed will be posted to Handshake. If you want to limit jobs to specific types (e.g., early career roles), you must apply filters within the XML feed itself before it is sent to Handshake. 

We recommend that employers or their feed providers ensure the feed contains only the intended job postings.

1. How does the job posting process work? Is manual approval needed like some ATS integrations?

Jobs in the XML feed are imported directly into Handshake and posted automatically. No manual action is needed. When a job is removed from the feed, it is closed on Handshake and moved to the Closed tab.

2. How long does it take for jobs to appear in Handshake?

Jobs may take up to 24 hours to appear, depending on volume. If you do not find your jobs, check the XML setup page and review the activity log for errors.

3. How often does Handshake process the XML feed?

Handshake pulls and processes the XML file once per day.

4. Can jobs be posted at scale?

Yes. The system processes job feeds asynchronously to support high-volume submissions.

1. What happens if I edit a job's title, description, or other content after it's been posted to Handshake?

After a job has been posted in Handshake through XML feed ingestion, it cannot be changed without manual intervention.

If the job description, location, or other content is changed in the XML feed after the job has been posted to Handshake, the changes will not be reflected in Handshake. Employers can either:

• Open the job in Handshake and edit the job directly
• Remove the job from the XML feed and repost it with a new source_reference

2.Does the XML feed automatically expire jobs that are closed in the ATS like our ATS integrations do?

Yes. If a job is marked as closed in the ATS and no longer appears in the XML feed, it will be auto-archived in Handshake during the next daily sync.

1. Can an employer use both XML and ATS integration at the same time?

No. Employers must choose one method. XML allows for faster and more automated job posting.

2. Is an ATS required to use the XML feed?

Yes. The XML feed pulls directly from the employer's ATS.

3. Where do candidates apply? Does the XML feed push them to the ATS?

Yes. The XML feed typically includes an apply URL that redirects applicants to the ATS. If no URL is provided, candidates can apply directly on Handshake (though this is uncommon).

4. Does the XML feed work with all ATS platforms?

Yes. Employers can use any ATS to generate an XML feed. No formal ATS integration is required.

1. Does Handshake have the ability to append the source to the URLs for us from the XML feed? Is the appended source customizable?

Currently, Handshake can append the source as "Handshake" through an internal flag enabled by Support.

Options:

• Employers can add the source code to URLs manually before submission
• Request Handshake Support to enable the "Handshake" source flag

Note: Make sure source names match what's expected in the ATS to avoid tracking errors.

1. Where does the XML feed pull data from?

From the employer's ATS through the provided XML URL.

2. Is XML the only format we support? Do you support other formats like FTP?

Yes. XML is the only format supported at this time.

3. Can employers post one job to multiple locations?

Yes. A single job can include up to 50 locations.

4. Is there a job limit per feed? 

Yes. The current cap is 5,000 jobs.

5. What happens if one job in the feed has an error?

Valid jobs will still be posted. Errors are logged and visible to the customer for correction.

6. Can multiple XML files be submitted?

Not at this time. Only one XML file per feed is supported.

Each time the file is processed, new postings are created in Handshake. If a posting is removed from the file, it is archived.

7. Who hosts the XML file?

Employers must host their own XML file. Handshake does not provide hosting services. The XML file must be available from a publicly accessible URL.

8. Who receives notifications for XML-posted jobs?

The Handshake Owner user receives job-related notifications. Currently, there is no way to assign different hiring team members to each job through the XML feed.

9. How can I get IPs for Whitelisting? 

If your system requires IP allowlisting, contact Support to request this information.

1. Can I use a SOAP URL for my feed?
No. SOAP endpoints are not supported. Use a standard HTTP or HTTPS URL.

2. Can I export CSV data to an SFTP server instead of providing an XML feed?
No. Scheduled CSV exports to SFTP are not supported as a replacement for an XML file.

3. Can I provide an authenticated (password-protected) XML feed?
No. Authenticated or password-protected XML feeds are not supported at this time. The XML file must be accessible from a public URL without authentication.

Based on previous submissions, feeds often fail due to one or more of the following issues:

• Invalid XML tags
  • Spaces or unexpected characters in XML tags.
    Example: <job title> instead of <job title>
• Incorrect or unexpected field values
  • For example, employment_type accepts only Full-Time or Part-Time
• Missing required fields
  • For example, missing title or source_reference, or missing values within tags
• Incomplete internship or temporary job data
  • If duration is set to Temporary, start_date and end_date are required