On-Campus Employers: Company Model Configuration

On-campus employment in Handshake can increase student engagement and support collaboration across departments.

This article explains how to configure the company model, which allows individual campus departments to manage their own company profiles, staff, and job postings in Handshake.

When to use this configuration

The company model is a good fit when:

• Each department or office should manage its own employer presence in Handshake.
• Each department should create and maintain its own company profile.
• Each department should manage its own staff access and job postings.

Understanding the company model 

Review the key behaviors of the company model before you begin setup. 

• One company profile per department. Each department is set up as its own separate company profile in Handshake. 
• Departments manage their own access. Each department or office manages its own staff members and job postings. 
• The workflow is department-specific. Each department owner is responsible for creating and maintaining its own company profile. 
• Work study requires a decision. Decide whether work-study jobs will be managed in one separate company profile or within each department's own profile. 
• Existing company profiles may affect setup. Another department may have already created a company profile for your institution, which can affect whether a new profile can be created or connected.

Configure the company model

Step 1: Identify departments and offices

Create a list of all departments and offices that will need their own company profile. This is also a good time to organize your department list and identify primary points of contact for each.

Step 2: Set naming and posting guidelines

Determine the company naming conventions and job posting guidelines that departments should follow. Clear, consistent guidelines make it easier for students to identify and engage with the right department profiles.

Recommended formats:

• Company profiles: [University Name]: [Department Name]
• Job titles: [University Name]: [Job Title]

Step 3: Decide how you will manage work study

Determine whether work-study jobs will be managed in one separate company profile or within each department's own company profile. 

If you plan to manage work study in Handshake, notify your Handshake Relationship Manager.

For work-study configuration and workflow guidance, refer to How to Manage Work Study in Handshake.

Step 4: Identify a point of contact for each department

Identify one point of contact per department who will act as the company owner. In many cases, this is an office administrator or a staff member who will post jobs on behalf of the department.

Step 5: Check for an existing company profile

To search for an existing profile, log in to Handshake and search by institution name. 

If an existing profile is found:

Contact the department that owns the existing company profile and decide one of the following:

• Merge the existing profile into the new on-campus employer profile, or

• Keep it separate and rename it to be specific (example: [University Name]: Admissions Office)

To request a merge or an additional domain space, contact Support. 

Step 6: Invite department points of contact to get started

When you are ready to launch, send an introductory email to each department point of contact with instructions for creating an employer account and company profile..

Additional resources 

For additional FAQs, best practices, and peer guidance on on-campus employer workflows, explore Handshake Community.