Handshake sources best-fit candidates for your job posting by reading your job description, generating hiring criteria, and continuously refining matches based on your feedback.
Note: This article applies to the updated version of Job Matches. If your Matches tab displays a loading experience with hiring criteria, you are on the updated version. If you are on the previous version, refer to Job Matches. This updated experience is rolling out to all employers in the coming weeks.
Where do I find my sourced candidates?
Click Jobs from the left navigation bar, select the job you want to view sourced candidates for, then click the Matches tab.
When you land on the page, Handshake processes your job posting to generate your sourced candidates. The following messages appear while this runs:
- Reviewing job description
- Generating hiring criteria
- Finding qualified candidates
- Sourcing candidates with [criteria]
This typically takes a few moments. Once complete, your sourced candidates will appear.
Each candidate card includes a brief summary of how their background aligns with your role.
Note: Profiles set to private (hidden from employers) are not displayed.
How do I review my hiring criteria?
Click Edit hiring criteria at the top of the page. A panel opens on the right displaying your hiring criteria, which includes:
- Must-haves: Required qualifications candidates should meet
- Nice-to-haves: Preferred qualifications that strengthen a candidate's fit
- Criteria to avoid: Deal-breakers used to screen out unqualified candidates
Note: Criteria are generated from your job description and refined by your feedback.
How do I edit my hiring criteria?
1. Type your feedback in the Ask for changes field (200 character limit). For example, "Add 2027 graduation year as a must have."
2. Click the arrow to submit. Handshake will process your request. A "Thinking..." indicator will appear while it updates.
3. Once the criteria have been updated, a "Changes applied" confirmation appears. Click Save to apply the changes or Undo to revert them.
Note: Save each change before submitting a new request. If you submit multiple requests without saving, only the last change will be applied.
Once your matches are ready, learn how to shortlist, remove, and add notes to candidates in Manage Sourced Candidates.