Handshake
Handshake serves as our online career services portal that provides easy access to job and internship postings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, employer contact information and scheduling coaching appointments. It connects current students and alumni with potential employers to help build meaningful careers.
Students and alumni can open the door to endless opportunities by landing a job or internship, or discovering companies and on-campus events. Employers can strengthen their team by locating and engaging with a diverse set of candidates with just a few clicks.
PLEASE NOTE: The Career Development Center carefully screens all employers, job, and internship postings to protect our students from employment and internship scams. We strongly encourage students to use their own discretion when applying for positions and to report to us anything that seems unusual, irregular, or mismatched to the position for which they are applying. Contact our office at 828-262-2180 or at careercenter@appstate.edu and we will assist you.
Don’t have an account?
All students are set up with an account by orientation. Contact us if you have trouble accessing your account.
- Alumni can register for an account in Handshake.
- Faculty/Staff can request an account here.
- Employers can register here for an account. Once an account is created, employers can sign in here.
What Handshake can do for students
- Discover incredible opportunities: Handshake opens the door to thousands of internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs across industries. Whether you have a dream company or are still exploring, Handshake helps you find your next step.
- Network with a massive community: Connect with recruiters who are specifically looking for students from Appalachian State University, plus tap into a supportive network of alumni and fellow students.
- Get personalized recommendations: Handshake’s smart technology tailors job and internship suggestions based on your profile, interests, and career goals.
- Ace your job search: Find handy resources, interview prep tools, and advice from career experts and other students to give you an edge in the job search process.
How to get started with Handshake
Are you ready to unlock the benefits that Handshake has to offer? Get started today with these 5 simple steps and be on your way to achieving a successful career.
- Activate your account: Visit our Handshake portal and log in with your App State credentials.
- Build your profile: This is your digital resume! Tell employers about your skills, experiences, and interests.
- Start your search: Explore internships and jobs, filter by location, industry, company size, and more. Get smart recommendations to make your search even easier.
- Attend virtual & in-person events: Discover career fairs, employer info sessions, and networking opportunities hosted through Handshake.
- Schedule an appointment: Meet with your career coach to get help with picking a major, polishing your application materials, finding a job, and more. Each college has a designated career coach who can answer your career-related questions.
How to complete your Handshake profile
It is important for students to fill out their Handshake profiles as early as possible. With a complete profile, you receive more relevant job recommendations and are more likely to stand out from others when applying for jobs or meeting with employers. In fact, students with a complete, updated profile are 5x more likely to be messaged by a recruiter. Follow these steps to get your Handshkae profile on track.
- Make a great first impression: Use a professional headshot and a clear headline that spotlights your major and goals.
- Showcase your skills: Highlight both hard skills (software, languages, etc.) and soft skills (communication, problem-solving, etc.).
- Tell your story: Your experiences (even those outside traditional work) tell your unique story. Briefly list them with clear descriptions.
- Upload your resume: Keep it updated, tailored to your interests, and ready for applications.
- Add courses & extracurriculars: Student organizations, volunteer work, etc. give employers a fuller picture of who you are.
- Share your interests: Fill out your job preferences (job type, location, job role) to see more relevant opportunities.
Download the Handshake app
Stay connected wherever you are! Download the Handshake app and:
- Get instant job and event notifications
- Easily apply for opportunities
- Message with recruiters and fellow students
- Never miss an important update
