Handshake offers different employer role types to ensure each team member has the appropriate level of access and tools.
Role availability, permissions, and management capabilities vary by your organization’s Handshake plan.
Each role includes default permissions. Only Essentials and Enterprise (formerly TES) customers can configure role-level permissions or customize access for their organization.
The ability to assign or update roles also depends on your plan. Messaging capabilities vary by plan and role. Learn more in Message Limits in Handshake.
Basic roles
Owner and Recruiter (Standard) are core roles available to all employer tiers.
The ability to update roles or configure role-level permissions depends on your employer’s Handshake plan.
Owner
Owners have the highest level of access in Handshake. Depending on your employer’s plan, Owners can manage teammates, update roles, and edit the company profile.
All permissions available for your account type are enabled for Owners by default.
Key details
One Owner per company profile.
Owners on Basic accounts cannot update roles or permissions.
Owners on on-campus, Plus, and Pro accounts can update teammates’ roles.
Only Owners on Essentials and Enterprise accounts can configure or customize role-level permissions.
Recruiter (Standard)
Recruiter (Standard) users can manage events and career fairs, jobs, applicants, and on-campus interviews, and message students. This role includes limited student messaging capabilities that vary by your account type.
Unlimited number of users.
Can manage events and career fairs, jobs, applicants, on-campus interviews, and message students.
*Premium roles
Premium roles are available only to Essentials and Enterprise (formerly TES) customers.
In addition to expanded role options, Owners on Essentials and Enterprise accounts can update and manage teammate roles and configure role-level permissions, where supported.
Included at no additional cost
Owner
Representative
Require an upgraded or paid seat
Advocate
Recruiter (Advanced)
Recruiter (Sourcer)
Admin
Premium features are for Handshake Premium accounts only. For more information, please check out this resource.
Representative
Representatives are individuals outside the recruiting line of business that participate in their company's virtual fairs and events.
Advocate
Advocates assist with creating candidate relationships by participating in events, fairs, and live 1:1 sessions or via messaging.
Recruiter (Advanced)
Recruiters (Advanced) have access to advanced tools to find the right candidate and nurture relationships.
Recruiter (Sourcer)
Recruiters (Sourcer) are typically recruiters or talent acquisition teammates specialized in scaled outreach.
Admin
Administrators can control user roles and access to Handshake and manage the company's profile and branding.
Modifying permissions
The ability to modify or remove role-level permissions for connected teammates is available only to Essentials and Enterprise (formerly TES) customers. Learn How to Configure Role Level Permissions.
Upgrading roles
The Representative role is included at no additional cost for Essentials and Enterprise (formerly TES) customers.
Depending on your account type and enabled modules, users assigned the Representative role may require an upgraded paid seat to access advanced features or permissions, such as Events or Insights.
Users who want to upgrade their seat should contact the Owner of their company profile.