Handshake
What is Handshake?
Handshake is the University of Alaska’s career management platform for students and alumni. On Handshake, students and alumni can discover new career paths, build a professional profile, find amazing jobs and internships, connect with great companies, and schedule appointments with Career Services. Login with you UA username and password and get started with Handshake today!
Logging into Handshake
All enrolled University of Alaska students automatically have a Handshake account. Simply login with your UA username and password.
Download the Mobile App
Download the Handshake mobile app to stay up-to-date on career events and workshops, review job and internship opportunities, and chat with employers through the instant messaging feature.
Handshake Profile Checklist
When you log into Handshake, your profile will already include synced information from UAOnline, including your name, major, and alaska.edu email address. Use this guide to personalize your profile in order to receive relevant job opportunities, and highlight your skills and interests to employers.
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Accessing your profile
From the Handshake home screen, click on your initials in the top right-hand corner and select 'My profile'.
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Personal information
Click the pencil icon next to 'Personal Information' to update your pronouns, gender, race and ethnicity. You can choose to allow these to be seen (or not seen) by employers and other students.
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Interests
Click the pencil icon next to 'Your Interests' to edit your job seeking status, job interests, cities you would like to work in, and roles (job titles), and industries. Handshake will use these preferences to show you relevant opportunities.
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Upload your resume
Click the 'Upload' button under the documents section of your profile. Here you will be able to upload a PDF or Word document which Handshake will use to fill in the gaps of your profile. Don't have a resume? Make an appointment with Career Services to create one.
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Complete your profile
Fill in any sections that are missing information. Employers are eager to see work and volunteer experience, and relevant skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and critical thinking. Follow us on Instagram for weekly tips including top skills employers are seeking!
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Profile visibility settings
Click on your initials in the top right-hand corner and select 'Settings'. Under 'Privacy' select which visibility setting you prefer. You may keep your profile private, allow employers to view, or open to the community so that both employers and other students may view your profile.
Additional Handshake Resources
Looking for more Handshake guidance? Check out these written and video resources to support student and alumni success on Handshake.
Handshake FAQs
- How do I access my Handshake account?
All University of Alaska students have a Handshake account established for them when they register for classes. Log in using your UA credentials (this is the same alaska.edu email and password you use to login to Blackboard and UAOnline) at alaska.joinhandshake.com.
Alumni who have lost access to their alaska.edu email address or would like to update their login information to a personal email address can contact Career Services to continue using Handshake.
- How do I complete my Handshake profile?
The profile update process will take you through a series of questions to help Handshake know who you are (similar to Netflix building your preferences). Your answers create a picture for employers. You can always adjust your answers, updating your profile as often as you wish.
- Can I skip the profile completion process?
Yes, you can skip the profile creation process. However, not completing this section means not showing up in employer searches or receiving personalized job recommendations.
- Is my Handshake profile private?
When you enter Handshake for the first time, you will be prompted to review your privacy settings and update your profile. Your account defaults to private and how open you wish to be is up to you.
- How do I request an appointment with UAA Career Services?
Log into Handshake and visit alaska.joinhandshake.com/appointments to request an appointment for a time that works best for you. A career services professional will review your request and you will receive an email notification once your appointment has been approved. Check out our appointments webpage for more information on making an appointment in Handshake or check out this video.
- How do I apply for jobs?
Check out this video about applying to jobs on Handshake or follow these step-by-step instructions for applying to jobs.
- How can I find specific employers on Handshake?
Check out this video and blog about finding employers on Handshake.
- Where can I learn more about getting the most out of Handshake?
Check out the Handshake Help Center with its links to steps-by-step instructions and screenshots, and the Handshake blog for more information you can apply to using Handshake on your career journey.
Employers who are interested in using Handshake should start by visiting the employer webpage. If you need further assistance with Handshake, please contact UAA Career Services at uaa_career@alaska.edu.