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 the message "Hmmm... Looks like there is no account on file for EMAIL" appears when logging in, ensure you are using the same email address you used to sign up.
One common reason for this error is that your account may be associated with a different email address. This can happen if you have multiple work email addresses or use email aliases.
- Keep in mind that Handshake treats aliases as separate email addresses. To resolve this, try logging in again using the exact email address you used to create your account.
Another possibility is that your email address was misspelled during account creation. If no other email addresses were used, check for a typo.
- After logging in, you can verify the email address on the right side of the page. Ensure it is spelled correctly to avoid future login issues.
You may be entering the wrong password
Your account is not confirmed
If you log in and encounter a page that states "Great! You've successfully signed up for Handshake," it means your account has not yet been confirmed.
Email verification links are usually sent immediately but may take up to 10 minutes. After that time, the link is valid for 12 hours. If more than 12 hours have passed, you must 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 join your company,
This typically means your initial connection request was not submitted successfully. Retry the request to ensure it’s completed.
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, your current status is "Pending approval at COMPANY NAME". This message confirms that your request to connect with the company has been submitted successfully. However, you won’t have full access to Handshake until your request is reviewed and approved by the company.
However, you won’t have full access to Handshake until your request is reviewed and approved by the company.
Learn how to expedite approval in Pending Approval to Join Company.
Your account is deactivated
Your account may have been deactivated for one of two 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're still unable to access your account, or have other issues with access, submit a ticket to our Support Team. For guidance on submitting a ticket, refer to Contacting Handshake Support.