On-campus employment in Handshake can increase student engagement and support collaboration across departments.
This article explains how to configure the divisions model, which allows multiple campus departments to post jobs and register for fairs under one shared employer company profile.
When to use this configuration
The divisions model is a good fit when:
Multiple offices or departments need to post on-campus jobs under one shared employer company profile.
A designated account owner (POC) should oversee and approve staff access to that profile.
Departments need a consistent way to organize and filter postings by department.
Understanding the divisions model
Review the key behaviors of the divisions model before you begin setup.
- One parent company profile: The institution uses one shared employer company profile as the parent company.
- One designated Owner: One Owner manages the parent company profile and approves staff access as needed.
- One division per office or department: Each office or department is set up as a division under the shared company profile.
- Multiple staff members can be added: Each office or department can have as many staff members connected to the shared company profile as needed.
- Divisions apply to postings, not people: Divisions are associated with jobs and fair registrations, not users or contacts.
- Access is not restricted by division: Staff can view and edit jobs across the entire company profile.
Configure the divisions model
Step 1: Choose the company profile owner (POC)
Identify who will own and manage the shared company profile. This is typically an on-campus employment coordinator or work-study coordinator in Career Services.
Step 2: Create an employer user account
Have the POC create an employer user account linked to their Career Services account. This helps the POC troubleshoot issues and understand the experience department staff will have.
The POC can create an employer account by completing the steps outlined Create an Employer Account Associated with Your Career Services Account.
Step 3: Complete employer training
The POC should be involved in implementation planning early and complete the recommended training in the Handshake Employer Academy before other departments come onboard.
This ensures the POC understands the platform setup and can support department staff through the process.
Step 4: Create or confirm the employer company profile
Before creating a new profile, first check whether one already exists. If another department has previously used Handshake, a company profile for your institution may already be in the system. Skipping this step can lead to duplicate profiles or access issues for staff.
To search for an existing profile, log in to Handshake and search by institution name.
If no profile exists: Create a new one using a clear, descriptive name so staff can easily find it.
Recommended formats:
- [University Name]: On-Campus Employment
- [University Name]: Student Employment
Refer to the appropriate instructions based on who is creating the profile:
- Career Services: Acting on Behalf of Employers: Creating a Company Profile
- Profile owner (POC): How to Create a New Company Profile
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 5: Create divisions for each department
In the company profile settings, add a division for each office or department that will post jobs or register for fairs.
To add divisions to the company profile, refer to How to Add Divisions to Your Company.
Step 6: Identify initial stakeholders
For each office or department, identify one or two key staff members who will be the first to connect to the company profile.
Starting with a small group allows the company profile owner (POC) to more easily manage early access requests and resolve issues before a broader rollout.
Step 7: Decide how you will handle work study
Determine whether work-study jobs will be managed within the shared company profile or in a separate dedicated 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.
Inviting a department to post jobs under its division
Use this email template to invite a department to connect to the on-campus employer company profile and begin posting jobs under its Division.
Update the placeholders to match your campus process and timelines.
Subject: On-campus jobs are moving to Handshake: action required
Hi [Name],
[University Name] is moving on-campus employment job posting and hiring into Handshake. Use the steps below to begin posting your department’s open roles.
Activate your account using the email invitation you receive from Handshake.
Log in and open the company profile: [University Name]: On-Campus Employment.
Confirm your department’s Division is available.
Post your jobs and select only your Division when creating each posting.
In Jobs, create a saved search filtered to your Division so you only view your department’s postings and applicants.
-
Follow these posting guidelines:
[Add title structure and naming rules]
[Add required job details and internal policies]
Copy any needed job posting information from [current system name] into Handshake. [Current system name] will shut down on [date].
Questions?
Here are some excellent resources you can explore to get acquainted with the system:
- [Career Services Office Name] contact: [email/phone here]
Best,
[On-Campus Employment POC/Team]
Additional resources
For additional FAQs, best practices, and peer guidance on divisions and on-campus employer workflows, explore our Handshake Community.