HANDSHAKE 101 – Getting Started

Handshake is Pitt’s comprehensive career services platform and your hub for all things college to career – jobs, internships, career fairs, events, interviews, and more. It is designed to be streamlined and provide career information tailored to personalized interests and goals. This platform allows Pitt students and alumni to: 

  • Schedule Appointments to meet with Career Consultants
  • View and apply for jobs and internships across a variety of industries 
  • Register for career fairs, networking events, and more 
  • Create a streamlined profile that outlines your experiences and education 
  • Register for and review employers’ on-campus interview schedules 

*It is recommended that you use Google Chrome as your browser with Handshake.

Handshake is your first stop to set up an appointment with the Experiential Learning Team, Career Consultant to discuss specific questions regarding your career journey or schedule an appointment with the Career Closet to check out professional attire for a career fair, an interview, or networking event.

Get Started with Handshake

Check out the HANDSHAKE resources below and at Handshake’s Support Center to learn how to take advantage of the platform and start launching your career.

Activation and Access

Click the link below to activate your account with your Pitt credentials.

  • HANDSHAKE
  • You can also access HANDSHAKE through my.pitt.edu
  • Do yourself a favor and mark it as favorite!❤️

Create your Profile

Since Handshake uses machine learning to understand your interests, your feed of opportunities will be better-matched when your profile is complete and you’re actively using the site.

These articles can help as you create your profile:

Tailor and Upload Your Resume

  • Visit CareerCentral for resume & cover letter resources and services.
  • When your document is ready, use the upload button for Handshake’s guide to upload a new document to your profile, making it public for employers to see.
  • How to Upload a New Document

Start your Job Search

According to Handshake, below are the top three tips for finding the roles you want using Handshake’s in-product features, including:

  • Use search filters
  • Utilize keywords
  • Save jobs you like

Watch the following HANDSHAKE video to learn: How-To: searching for jobs

In summary, Handshake is an essential tool for Pitt students and alumni, offering a streamlined approach to managing your career development from college to professional life. By activating your account, completing your profile, and utilizing Handshake’s resources, you can effectively navigate job searches, internships, networking events, and more. Start today by setting up your profile and exploring the many opportunities available to you on Handshake.