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How to Reply to Handshake Messages via Your Email Client

Tawnya
  • Updated

Employers can reply directly to student messages from their email client without logging into Handshake.

Key details

  • This feature is available for all messages and role types.
  • Responses sent via email will be automatically stored in your Handshake inbox within 5 minutes.
  • Signatures are included, but certain elements are not supported (details below).

 

Replying to messages 

When a student messages you, an email notification is sent to your registered email address.

  1. Open the notification email.
  2. Click the red button View the Message and Reply in the email.
  3. Compose and send your response from your email client.

Note: If you reply via email, your email address remains hidden from the student.

Unsupported features (when replying)

The following items are not supported:

  • Hyperlinks: URLs can be included but will not be formatted as clickable links.
  • Handshake templates: Templates cannot be used when replying by email.
  • Automated replies: Out-of-office or other automated replies are not supported.
  • CC’ing additional users: You cannot CC others on your email reply.
  • Attachments or images: These cannot be added to email replies.
  • Generating new messages: This feature is for responding only.

 

Notification email

The notification email will read: 

From: "Handshake <handshake@notifications.joinhandshake.com>"

Subject: You have a new notification

Body: 

Hello YOUR NAME,

You have a new message from STUDENT NAME.

Student's full message displayed
View the Message and Reply (RED BUTTON)

You can also reply directly from this email

Respond to this message by simply replying to this email any time within 6 months of receiving it. 

Note: Candidates will receive a plain text version of your response. For security purposes any images, links, fonts, and other such formatting will be removed. 

Thank you,
The Handshake Team"

You_have_a_new_notification_.png

Note: If you reply via email, your email address won't be visible to the student.

 

Enable message notifications 

To receive student messages in your email client, ensure that new message notifications are enabled in your Handshake account. Learn more about Default Notification Preferences (Employers). 

1. Click on your name in the upper-right corner of the page. 

2. Select User settings, then click Notification Preferences.

2. Scroll down to the Messages section and confirm that "I am sent a new message" is checked.

messages_notifications.png