Table of Contents:

Overview

Handshake is UWF's centralized career management system offering many features, enabling you to:

  • Search nationwide and local employment opportunities
  • Connect with employers based on your degree area/interests
  • View upcoming career events
  • Schedule appointments with your career coaches

This guide will walk you through some of Handshake's major functions and help you make the most of your Handshake account.

Note: Handshake is accessed through MyUWF, and only current UWF students or alumni can access the platform. The posting of positions on Handshake does not constitute an endorsement by UWF of the employers or opportunities listed.

Accessing & Activating Your Handshake Account

Students:

Currently, enrolled degree-seeking students will access Handshake via MyUWF.  Upon enrollment in classes, an account will automatically be created for you. The following steps outline how to activate and access your Handshake account:

  1. Log in to your MyUWF account and search for Handshake in the search bar.
  2. Log in to Handshake using your ArgoNet username and password.
  3. Your profile activation will begin with a series of questions regarding your career preferences. Simply select the options that describe you best. Handshake will use your answers to customize your experience with suggested jobs and opportunities.
    • Note: You may skip this step and complete your career preferences questionnaire at a later time. Just select your own name in the top right corner, then select Career Interests.
  4. You’ll need to decide whether to make your profile public or private.
    • A public profile, and most information in your profile, can be seen by an approved employer on Handshake and by your career coach.
    • Note: There are some Handshake profile components, like GPA, that have their own privacy settings. So you can make your profile public but your GPA private, for example. Your profile can’t be seen by other students or by Career Services Centers at other schools.
    • If you make your profile private, it can only be seen by you and UWF Career Development and Community Engagement staff members.
    • You can switch your privacy status at any time, from private to public or from public to private.
  5. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve successfully activated your account and can begin using Handshake.

Alumni:

Alumni may need to create a Handshake account and connect with UWF. Go to MyUWF and search for Handshake. Follow the instructions on How to Log In as an Alumni to view step-by-step instructions.

  • If you are an alumnus who graduated from UWF in 2012 or later, you will access Handshake as previously described for students.
  • If you no longer have access to your MyUWF account, you can call the ITS Helpdesk at 850.474.2075 to reactivate your UWF ArgoNet account.
  • If you are an alumnus who graduated from UWF prior to 2012, request an account by contacting the Office of Career Development and Community Engagement at career@uwf.edu or 850.474.2254. Once you have been granted access, you may follow the student instructions for activating your account.

Completing Your Handshake Profile

Increase Your Job Search Marketability and Visibility to Employers

University-approved employers can search for and contact students who have made their profiles public.

Some of your information will already be in your Handshake profile. Check to be sure all pre-loaded information is correct. If you find an error in any of your profile data, contact career@uwf.edu to correct it.

  • Select Profile from the drop-down menu that appears when you click your initials (or picture) in the menu bar to make changes.
  • Upload a professional-looking headshot or a good photo of yourself dressed professionally and looking at the camera.
    • Don't have one? Schedule a Headshot Appointment with CDCE through Handshake or by calling 850.474.2254.
  • Click the pencil symbol assocatiated with any section you wish to update or add content to.
    • Add a brief (professional) introduction in the "About."
    • Update and/or add Skills, Work Experiences, Courses, Organizations, Projects, and Language.
    • Review the Education section to ensure it is correct (the information there should come directly from your UWF students' records).
    • Complete the Work and Volunteer Experience section. Make sure to include the Job Title, Employer, Time Period, and Location. Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments, impacts, and duties for each position.
  • The more relevant information you add, the more complete your profile is, which helps more employers find and identify you as a qualified candidate.
  • Don't forget to upload documents like your resume and cover letter. CDCE can provide feedback on these documents.

Additional Topics:

How to Manage Your Privacy Settings in Handshake

How Do I Upload Documents To My Handshake Account?

When you are ready to apply for career opportunities, including co-ops, internships, full-time or part-time jobs, you’ll need to have some documents uploaded to your Handshake account. Follow these steps to add documents to your account. 

  1. Select Documents from the drop-down menu that appears when you click the circle containing your initials (or picture) in the top right corner of the page.
  2. Select Upload New Document.
  3. Click the block that says "Choose File" under "Document File."
  4. You will be prompted to select the file for the document you would like to share from your computer.
    1. Note: Document file size should be LESS than 1 MB, and make sure the document you choose to upload is saved as a PDF (to ensure there are no formatting issues).
  5. Next, Name the file.
  6. Select the Document Type: Resume, Cover Letter, Transcript, Other.
    1. Make sure the right document type is selected to avoid confusion that may cost you an employment opportunity.
  7. Check Visible to employers if you want them to be able to see it, add a description (if necessary), and then click Save.
  8. Voila! Your document is stored in your Handshake account and is ready to be added to your first Handshake job application!

Additional Topics:

About Pending Documents

Request An Appointment in Handshake

Handshake is the best way to schedule appointments for career coaching and assistance from the Office of Career Development & Community Engagement. Follow these steps to schedule your next appointment!

  1. Select "Career Center" from the menu on the left side of the page.
  2. Select "Appointments."
  3. Click "Schedule a New Appointment."
  4. Next, "Choose a Category": "Majors, Careers, & Graduate School," "Resumes, Cover Letters, & Professional Profiles," "Internships & Jobs," or "Interviews, Networking, & Job Offers," based on the assistance you need.
  5. Then, "Choose an Appointment Type," based on the specific guidance you are requesting.
  6. Use the "Calendar" to identify an available appointment slot that works with your schedule.
  7. Once you've selected the time and date that works best for you, indicate your preferred meeting method (Appointment Medium) and share any specific details or questions pertaining to your request that will help your Career Coach prepare for your meeting.
  8. Click the green "Request" button at the bottom of the screen to finalize your appointment.
  9. You will receive a confirmation email once your appointment request is approved by your Career Coach. You will also receive a reminder email on the day of your appointment.
  10. In Handshake, you can access your appointment page, where you can cancel the appointment or add comments before the appointment.
  11. If you select "Virtual on Handshake" as your meeting method, you will access this appointment through the appointment page in Handshake.
  12. Make sure you check your notifications for updates on the status of your appointment.

Note: Please add your appointment to your personal calendar or agenda, as students who miss two or more appointments without rescheduling lose career coaching privileges for the semester. We require 24 hours' advance notice to cancel your appointment to ensure availability to other students needing assistance.

Additional Topics:

How to View Scheduled Appointments

Exploring Employers & Jobs

One of the most exciting components of Handshake is that it provides so many awesome opportunities for jobs, co-ops, internships, part-time jobs, and on-campus employment. This section will give you strategies and tips to help in your search.

  1. Select "Career Center" from the menu on the left side of the page.
  2. Scroll down to "University of West Florida collections," click the link to "View all collections."
    1. With more than 10,000 jobs posted to Handshake, it can feel a little overwhelming, which is where these "collections" come into play.
    2. Each collection is carefully curated by the Office of Career Development & Community Engagement to provide UWF students and alumni with relevant and up-to-date job or internship opportunities.
    3. These collections are organized to showcase employers with a history of on-campus engagement and/or hiring UWF students and alumni, who are interested in hiring UWF students based on particular majors (college), proximity to UWF, for internships, and more.
    4. Just click the box for the collection that is most relevant to your interests/needs, to access those job postings.
  3. Click the link titled "Jobs" (second link down from the top of the page in the left column) to access the "Job Search" page.
    1. Search for job titles, employers, or keywords in the search bar.
    2. Save jobs that you are interested in applying for.
    3. You may also filter jobs by type (on-campus, internship, full-time, etc.), location, UWF Collections, and more. 
    4. You’ll notice the option for additional filters on this page. Selecting these advanced filters can help you narrow your job search even further.
  4. Click the link titled "Employers" (second link up from the bottom of the page in the left column) to access the "Employer Search" page.
    1. Search for employers in the search bar
    2. Follow those you are interested in connecting with and potentially working for.
    3. You may also filter employers by Employers you follow, location, industry, and more. 
    4. You’ll notice the option for additional filters on this page also. Selecting these advanced filters can help you narrow your search even further.
    5. Be sure to explore employers’ reviews, Q&A, interview information, and current job openings.
  5. Handshake also suggests jobs for you based on your responses to the career preferences questions when you activate your account. If you opted not to respond in the beginning, you may return to those questions anytime by selecting your own name in the top right corner and then selecting Career Interests.

Additional Topics:

How to Identify Potential Employment Scams

Applying To Jobs In Handshake

It’s important to gain experience while in college and start applying to full-time jobs a few months before your graduation date. Let Handshake help in your job search by following the next steps.

  1. Click the link titled "Jobs" (second link down from the top of the page in the left column) to access the "Job Search" page.
  2. Search for jobs that interest you.
  3. Review the details and qualifications for the job to make sure it is a good fit. 
    1. You can save a job if you’re not quite ready to apply yet. This will allow you to find the job again easily, in your favorite jobs. 
    2. You can also share a job if you have a friend who might be interested or qualified.
  4. If you are ready to apply, you will either apply using an internal application or an external application (typically, you will be redirected to an employer's website to complete the application there).
  5. If internal, when you click apply, select the document(s) you would like to share from your Handshake document page or upload documents directly from your computer.
  6. Click the Submit Application button when you are ready to submit your application.
    ⚠ NOTE: ​If this job has additional application instructions, you will see a message with directions that you will need to follow to complete this application. Click any links provided to be directed to the external site in another browser tab.
  7. Please note that the majority of employers on Handshake are legitimate; however, it is never a bad idea to be cautious. 
    1. Here are a few red flags to be aware of:
      1. Untraceable Contact Information: The employer calls you from a blocked number or one that can’t be returned.
      2. Suspicious Email Offers: The employer contacts you directly by email, offering a job you didn’t apply for or inviting you to apply for a job that isn’t posted on a reputable site. Check the sender’s email address for unusual domains, such as @live.com or other domains not affiliated with the company.
      3. Request to Cash or Deposit Checks: You’re asked to cash or deposit a check on behalf of someone else, return a portion of the money, and keep the remainder.
    2. If you encounter an employer that seems suspicious or suspect that your personal information has been compromised by a fraudulent employer, notify CDCE by emailing career@uwf.edu.
Additional topics

About Your Application Status

View Upcoming Career Events

Handshake is where you can find information about upcoming events hosted by the Office of Career Development & Community Engagement.

  1. Select "Career Center" from the menu on the left side of the page.
  2. Scroll down until you reach "Upcoming Career Fairs" and "Upcoming Events."
    1. You can then select the individual fair or event to learn more about them and RSVP.
  3. You can also select Events from the menu on the left side of the page to go directly to the Events page.
  4. Use the Search Events search bar to find specific upcoming events and to narrow your search, or just scroll down the page to see all of the opportunities.
  5. Click on the event you are interested in to learn more about it and to RSVP.
  6. When you’ve decided to attend an event, simply RSVP for the event by selecting the Register button on the event page.
    1. Like jobs and employers, you can also save events to keep track of ones you’re interested in attending.
    2. * Don’t forget to share these events by email or social media to let your friends know you’re going!

Note: Not all events require you to RSVP; however, please update your RSVP if you learn you can no longer attend an event you previously registered for or joined.

Additional topics

How to View Employers Who Will Attend an Upcoming Career Fair

Account Deactivation/Deletion

Once you delete your Handshake account, it cannot be restored. You'll lose access to past messages and events. Before deciding to delete your Handshake account, we encourage you to explore a few alternative options that may address your concerns on Handshake's Request User Account Deletion page. These solutions can often help you maintain access to valuable features and benefits without the need for deletion. To begin the deletion process, email Career@uwf.edu. 

For questions, please contact the Office of Career Development & Community Engagement at career@uwf.edu or 850.474.2254.


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