Quick Summary: Adding your resume to Handshake is straightforward! Follow these simple steps to upload your document, making it easy for recruiters to find you. This guide ensures your resume is perfectly presented on the platform, boosting your job and internship search.
Navigating the job or internship search can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. One common hurdle for students and recent graduates is getting their resume into the right hands. Handshake is a fantastic platform connecting you with thousands of employers, but you need to make sure your resume is there and ready to impress. Many people find it a bit confusing at first, wondering if they’re uploading the right format or if it will even be seen. Don’t worry, I’m here to help! We’ll walk through exactly how to add your resume to Handshake, step-by-step, so you can feel confident and ready to apply for those dream opportunities. Let’s get your resume uploaded and start opening doors!
Why Your Resume on Handshake Matters
Think of Handshake as your digital career fair and personal job board all rolled into one. Employers actively use Handshake to find and recruit students and recent graduates for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions. When you upload your resume, you’re essentially creating a profile that recruiters can access directly. This means you don’t always have to upload your resume separately for every single application; having it on Handshake can streamline the process significantly. It ensures that your most up-to-date qualifications are readily available, increasing your visibility and making it easier for potential employers to see if you’re a good fit.
A well-uploaded resume on Handshake can:
- Increase Visibility: Employers actively search the platform for candidates with specific skills and experiences.
- Save Time: Apply to jobs faster by attaching your existing Handshake resume.
- Showcase Your Best: Ensure recruiters see your polished, professional document.
- Streamline Applications: Many Handshake applications will automatically pull your uploaded resume.
Before You Upload: Resume Best Practices
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s make sure your resume is in the best possible shape. A great resume is your first impression, so a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
1. Keep it Concise and Relevant
For students and recent graduates, a one-page resume is usually ideal. Focus on experiences, skills, and achievements that are most relevant to the jobs you’re applying for. Tailor your resume for different types of roles if possible.
2. Use a Clean and Professional Format
Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use clear headings, bullet points, and sufficient white space. Avoid overly fancy graphics or colors that might not display correctly on all devices or through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
3. Proofread Meticulously
Typos and grammatical errors can be a quick way to get your resume overlooked. Read it aloud, use spell check, and ask a friend or career counselor to review it.
4. Save as a PDF
This is crucial! Saving your resume as a PDF ensures that your formatting remains intact regardless of the device or operating system the recruiter uses. It prevents any accidental changes to fonts, spacing, or layout. Handshake strongly recommends PDF uploads for this reason.
How to Add Your Resume on Handshake: Step-by-Step
Adding your resume to Handshake is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get your document uploaded and ready for employers to view.
Step 1: Log In to Your Handshake Account
Go to the Handshake website and log in using your student or alumni credentials. If you haven’t created an account yet, you’ll typically do so through your university’s career services portal.
Step 2: Navigate to the “My Documents” Section
Once you’re logged in, look for the navigation menu, usually located on the left-hand side of the screen or at the top. Click on “My Documents.” This is where you’ll manage all the files you upload to Handshake, including your resume, cover letters, and transcripts.
Tip: Handshake often updates its interface, so the exact location might shift slightly. If you can’t find “My Documents” immediately, look for sections like “Profile,” “Documents,” or “Resumes.”
Step 3: Click “Upload New Document”
Within the “My Documents” section, you’ll see an option to upload new files. It will likely be a button or link labeled “Upload New Document” or something similar. Click on this to begin the upload process.
Step 4: Select Your Resume File
A file explorer window will pop up. Navigate to where you have saved your resume on your computer. Remember, it’s best to upload a PDF version of your resume. Select the file and click “Open” or “Choose.”
Step 5: Name Your Document and Select Document Type
After selecting your file, Handshake will prompt you to provide a name for the document and choose its type. For your resume, you should select “Resume” as the document type. Give it a clear name, such as “FirstName_LastName_Resume” or “JohnDoe_MarketingResume.” This helps you and employers easily identify it.
Step 6: Upload and Save
Click the “Upload Document” or “Save” button. Handshake will then process your file. You should see a confirmation that your resume has been successfully added to your “My Documents” list.
Congratulations! Your resume is now uploaded to Handshake. It will be available for you to attach to job applications directly through the platform.
Managing Multiple Resumes on Handshake
As you apply for different types of roles, you might find yourself needing different versions of your resume. Handshake makes it easy to manage multiple resumes.
Here’s how to upload and manage them:
- Follow Steps 1-5 above for each resume version you want to upload.
- When naming your documents, be specific. For example:
- “JaneSmith_SoftwareEngResume”
- “JaneSmith_ProjectManagementResume”
- “JaneSmith_InternshipResume_Fall2024”
- When applying for a job, Handshake will allow you to choose which of your uploaded resumes you want to use for that specific application. This ensures you’re always submitting the most relevant version.
When to Use Different Resumes
It’s a smart strategy to have tailored resumes for different career paths or types of positions. For example:
| Scenario | Resume Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Applying for Software Engineering Internships | Highlighting coding skills, relevant projects, technical coursework. | “JaneSmith_SoftwareEngResume” |
| Applying for Marketing Coordinator Roles | Emphasizing communication, social media skills, campaign experience. | “JaneSmith_MarketingResume” |
| General Internship Applications | Broader overview of skills, experiences, and academic achievements. | “JaneSmith_InternshipResume_General” |
Making Your Resume Visible to Employers
Uploading your resume is the first step, but you also want to ensure employers can actually see it and find you. Here’s how to maximize your resume’s impact on Handshake:
1. Complete Your Handshake Profile
Your resume is just one part of your Handshake presence. Employers often look at your full profile, which includes your education, skills, experiences, and even your interests. A complete profile makes you a more attractive candidate.
- Fill in all relevant sections: Education, Experience (jobs, internships, volunteer work), Projects, Skills, Organizations, and Courses.
- Add keywords: Sprinkle relevant keywords from job descriptions into your profile sections. This helps with searchability.
- Upload a professional photo: A clear, friendly headshot can make your profile more approachable.
2. Set Your Profile to Public
By default, your Handshake profile and documents might be set to private. To allow employers to find you, you need to adjust your privacy settings.
- Navigate to your profile settings.
- Look for privacy options and select “Public” or “Visible to Employers.”
- Ensure that your uploaded resumes are also set to be viewable by employers.
This is a critical step! If your profile is private, recruiters won’t be able to see your resume even if it’s uploaded.
3. Actively Apply for Jobs
While having your resume on Handshake increases your visibility, actively applying for positions is the most direct way to get noticed. When you apply through Handshake, your uploaded resume is easily attached, and employers see you’re interested.
4. Connect with Your Career Services
Your university’s career services office is your greatest resource. They often have counselors who can review your resume, help you optimize your Handshake profile, and provide insights into how employers use the platform. They can also advise on best practices for resume writing, drawing from extensive experience with student and graduate placements.
You can often find resources and contact information for your career services department through your university’s website or directly within Handshake. For example, many universities provide guides on resume writing aligned with industry standards, similar to resources found at institutions like Stanford University’s Career Education.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Uploading Your Resume
Even with a great resume, a few common mistakes during the upload process can hinder your job search. Let’s make sure you avoid these:
- Uploading the Wrong File Type: While Handshake accepts various formats, PDF is king. Avoid .doc or .docx if possible, as formatting can shift.
- Not Proofreading the Uploaded Document: After uploading, always preview the document within Handshake to ensure it looks exactly as intended.
- Using an Outdated Resume: Make it a habit to update your “My Documents” section with your latest resume version whenever you make significant changes.
- Forgetting to Set Privacy Settings: As mentioned, if your profile and documents are private, employers can’t see them. Double-check this!
- Not Tailoring Resumes: If you’re applying for diverse roles, ensure you upload specific, tailored versions of your resume.
Troubleshooting Common Handshake Resume Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to resolve them:
Issue: My Resume Isn’t Displaying Correctly
Solution: This often happens with complex formatting or unusual fonts. Re-save your resume as a PDF using a standard word processor (like Microsoft Word, Google Docs) and ensure you’re using common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Avoid tables within tables or excessive graphics that might not render well.
Issue: I Can’t Find the “My Documents” Section
Solution: Handshake’s interface can change. Try navigating through your main profile page, or look for a “Resources” or “Documents” tab in the main navigation menu. If you’re still stuck, contact your university’s career services for specific guidance on your institution’s Handshake setup.
Issue: Employers Aren’t Seeing My Resume
Solution: First, confirm your profile privacy settings are set to “Public” or “Visible to Employers.” Second, ensure the specific resume document you want them to see is marked as visible. Sometimes, you might need to re-upload it for Handshake to re-index it properly.
Issue: Handshake is Asking for a Specific Resume Format
Solution: While PDF is generally preferred, some employers might have specific requirements. Always read the job posting carefully. If a specific format like .docx is requested, upload that version and ensure it’s clean and well-formatted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the best file format to upload my resume to Handshake?
A1: The best file format is PDF. It preserves your formatting and ensures it looks the same on any device. Handshake strongly recommends PDF uploads.
Q2: Can I upload more than one resume to Handshake?
A2: Yes! You can upload multiple versions of your resume to Handshake. This is very useful for tailoring your applications to different types of jobs.
Q3: How do I choose which resume to use when applying for a job?
A3: When you click to apply for a job on Handshake, you’ll be prompted to select a resume from your uploaded documents. Simply choose the version that best matches the job description.
Q4: What if my resume has a lot of graphics or a unique layout? Will it still work on Handshake?
A4: While Handshake will attempt to display it, complex graphics or unique layouts might not render perfectly, especially through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that employers use. It’s best to stick to clean, professional, and standard resume formats for optimal compatibility.
Q5: How do I update my resume on Handshake if I make changes?
A5: Go to “My Documents,” find your current resume, and there should be an option to replace or upload a new version. It’s good practice to re-upload your updated resume whenever you make significant changes.
Q6: Will employers see my resume automatically once I upload it?
A6: Employers can see your resume if your profile privacy settings are set to “Public” or “Visible to Employers,” and if your resume document itself is set to be visible. Actively applying for jobs is the most direct way for employers to see your resume.
Conclusion
Getting your resume onto Handshake is a crucial step in your job and internship search. By following these simple, step-by-step instructions, you can ensure your resume is uploaded correctly, looks professional, and is easily accessible to the employers who are actively looking for talent like yours. Remember to keep your resume updated, tailor it for different opportunities, and complete your Handshake profile to maximize your visibility. Your career journey is important, and taking these proactive steps will help you unlock fantastic opportunities. You’ve got this!