Gies College of Business Current Students at Gies Business
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Make the Most of Your Handshake Account

Handshake is the official job and internship search platform for Gies College of Business students.

A complete Handshake account makes it easier for employers to find you—and for you to find opportunities that match your interests. Employers actively use Handshake to:

  • Search for candidates
  • Review resumes
  • Promote events and info sessions
  • Invite students to apply for roles

Set up your account to be seen by employers

Make Your Profile Public

Setting your profile to public allows employers to find you when they search for candidates.

Why this matters:

  • Employers use profile filters to identify potential candidates
  • Public profiles appear in employer searches for jobs and internships

Action Step:
Turn on profile visibility in your Handshake settings.

Learn how to Set Your Student Profile Privacy Setting

Make Your Resume Visible

Your resume must be marked visible for employers to view it. If your resume is not visible:

  • Only you can see it
  • Employers cannot find you through resume searches

Action Step:
Upload your resume and set it to visible to employers.

Learn how to Make Your Resume Visible

Update Your Graduation Date & School Year

Handshake uses graduation date and school year to determine eligibility for roles.

If this information is missing:

  • You may appear unqualified for certain positions
  • You may be filtered out of employer searches

Where to update:

  • Click your name in Handshake
  • Go to Settings & Privacy
  • Select your graduation date and school year

Complete Your Profile

Handshake personalizes job recommendations based on your profile information.

A complete profile helps you:

  • Receive more relevant job and internship recommendations
  • Be five times more likely to receive outreach from recruiters
  • Get invitations to employer events and info sessions

Be sure to update:

  • Career interests
  • Job preferences
  • Skills and experiences (as they change)
Screenshot of Handshake account settings highlighting profile visibility and resume visibility options for employer searches

Use Handshake’s job search tools effectively

Search for Jobs and Internships

Thousands of employers post collegiate hire roles on Handshake. To improve your search results:

  • Use keywords related to roles, skills, and industries
  • Apply filters for location, job type, and graduation date
  • Save searches you plan to revisit

Apply for Jobs Through Handshake

Some employers require applications to be submitted directly through Handshake. Before applying:

  • Review the job description carefully
  • Confirm eligibility requirements
  • Ensure your resume and profile are up to date

Personalized Recommendations

Handshake provides:

  • Personalized job recommendations 
  • Job digests based on career interests, search behavior, and application activity

Make Handshake work for you

Key Reminders

  • Complete your profile to increase visibility
  • Keep your resume updated and visible
  • Regularly review recommended jobs and events
  • Follow employers you’re interested in to receive updates

Need More Help?

Handshake provides support resources, including:

  • Help articles
  • Video tutorials
  • FAQs
  • Direct support options

Meet with a career advisor to make sure your Handshake account is working for you.

The Office of Career and Professional Development can help you:

Gies College of Business Current Students at Gies Business
515 East Gregory Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-300-7327