There are various reasons you may not be able to log in and access your Handshake account.
The following outlines common issues and their solutions when attempting to access your account.
You may not have an account
If you receive the message "Hmmm... Looks like there is no account on file for EMAIL" when logging in, ensure you're using the same email address you used to sign up.
A common reason for this error is that your account may be linked to a different email address, especially if you have multiple work emails or use aliases.
- Handshake treats aliases as separate email addresses, so try logging in with the exact email used during account creation.
Another possibility is a typo in your email address when signing up. If no other email was used, double-check for any misspellings.
You may be entering the wrong password
If you see the message "You entered an invalid password. Don't have an account yet?" when logging in, it means the password entered is incorrect.
- Double-check your password and ensure Caps Lock or Num Lock isn’t unintentionally enabled, as they can alter what you type.
- If you use a browser-based or extension-based password manager, try disabling it temporarily. These tools may auto-fill outdated or incorrect credentials, interfering with your login attempts if they haven’t been updated.
If the issue persists and you continue to receive the error, try resetting your password to regain access. For step-by-step instructions, refer to Reset Password for an Employer Account.
You changed your email address
If your new email address doesn’t match your company’s domain, your access will remain pending until the company profile Owner or Admin reapproves you for security reasons.
If you're the only user connected to your company profile, contact our Support team. They can update the company's domain and manually reconnect you.
You may be trying to log in to the wrong portal
If you try to log in through the wrong region's portal, even with the correct email and password, you will receive the message "Hmmm... Looks like there is no account on file for EMAIL".
Handshake has separate login portals for the U.S. and the U.K., so make sure you're logging into the correct one for your region.
Tip: Check the URL in your browser to confirm you're on the correct site:
- For the U.S.: joinhandshake.com
- For the U.K.: joinhandshake.co.uk
Your account is not confirmed
If you log in and see a message stating "Verify your email! Check your inbox," it means your email address has not yet been confirmed.
Verification emails are usually sent immediately but may take up to 10 minutes to arrive. The link remains valid for 12 hours. If more than 12 hours have passed, you will need to resend the email to generate a new link.
If you aren't receiving the confirmation email, we recommend taking the steps below:
- Check your spam and junk mail. Since this is an automated email, some providers may filter the message from your inbox. If you're using any of the following mail clients, click the relevant link for additional troubleshooting steps.
- Perform a keyword search for all mailboxes with the subject line "Email Confirmation". This can help better surface the email if it's been filtered to an unexpected location.
- Add Handshake to your address book with the following email: "handshake@m.joinhandshake.com", then log in to Handshake, and resend the confirmation email.
- Contact your company's IT department to verify whether Handshake is blocked and ask that our domain be added to its list of accepted email senders. Details to share with your IT can be found in Email Delivery: Unblocking Handshake Email.
Your account is not validated or requires additional verification
Account not validated
If the message "We're reviewing your new account" appears when logging in, it indicates that your account has not yet been validated. As part of Handshake's Trust and Safety process, all new accounts are manually reviewed and validated upon creation.
Account requires additional verification
If you log in and encounter a message stating "Your account is under review" or "Your account is temporarily suspended," it indicates that additional information is required.
Learn more about our Employer Validation.
You are not connected to a company profile
You’re logged in, and your email is confirmed, but you’re still being prompted to create or join a company.
This usually means your initial connection request wasn’t submitted successfully, or you haven’t created a company profile yet. If you’re trying to join an existing company profile, retry the request to ensure it completes successfully.
Learn how to Create an Employer User Account, Join a Company, and Connect with Schools.
Your request is still pending approval
When you log in, if your status is "Your request to join the company is under review", it means your request was submitted successfully. However, you won’t have full access to Handshake until the company owner reviews and approves it.
Learn how to expedite approval in Pending Approval to Join Company.
Your account is deactivated
If you log in and receive a message stating that your account has been deactivated, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
1. The owner or admin of the company profile manually deactivated your account.
2. You have not logged into your account for an extended period.
To reactivate your account, contact the owner of the company profile. The owner's contact details are displayed on the login screen.
If you can't access your account or have other issues, contact our Support team.