University Career Center

Searching for Jobs and Internships on Handshake

Click on the Jobs tab in the top left hand corner

With thousands of employers posting career opportunities on the platform, Handshake is an incredibly powerful tool for your internship and job searches. Learn more about how to navigate Handshake and utilize strategies to help strengthen your search skills.

To start, click on Jobs in the upper-left corner of the Handshake screen. This menu row displays consistently throughout most Handshake pages.

The Jobs default page will load: on the left of the page are jobs approved at your school. Click on a job to load more details on-screen. For a breakdown of content on this page, check out Apply for a Job in Handshake!

Search Jobs about this content

Use the following methods to identify the most relevant jobs and narrow down your search:

  • Use keywords, job titles, or employers in the upper-left search bar. 
  • Search by city, state, or zip code by clicking Location.
  • Filter your search by job duration (full-time, part-time), as well as by job type (on-campus, internship).
  • Click on All Filters to see more filter options –– once you've added all desired search criteria, click Show Results in the lower-right corner of the filter popup. 
Search and use filters on Handshake's Job tab

Filters Explained with Examples

  • Job Types: Choose between full-time, part-time, internships, or on-campus jobs
  • Paid roles only: Many government and non-profit organizations offer unpaid internships, while most for-profit internships are paid, although there are exceptions. Explore our Internship Compensation page for more information
  • Work study: There are a variety of opportunities to earn money to help pay for school, get work experience, and build skills to help you in your career while you’re studying at PSU. You must have been awarded work study through financial aid to qualify for these positions. Learn more about work study from Student Finance 
  • Job Role: These are common titles within industries. You can explore the Degree Pages to find job roles that may related to your career goals
  • Work authorization (Visa, OPT, CPT): These can be major considerations if you are an international student. Not all employers will offer Visa, OPT, or CPT opportunities. Learn more about work authorization options through International Student Services
  • Industry: Some common industries include: Education, Healthcare, Nonprofits, IT, Finance
  • Major: Employers may have added qualifications to their position. Adding your major can help you narrow the search to positions you are qualified for but is not always necessary.
Handshake is also available on an app

You can also get started and stay updated with Handshake Mobile (available for iPhone and Android)! Handshake Mobile is focused on job discovery. You can explore jobs, mark them as favorites and then apply. While all Handshake features are mobile optimized, clicks beyond the job search process will take you to a web browser. If you're looking to find, favorite and apply for jobs on the go - the mobile app is ideal. But if you're looking to deeply customize your profile we’d recommend desktop. 

Helpful Hints:

  • Keep your profile updated! Some employers will reach out based on your qualifications
  • How to Search by Major: Use the "Major" filter in "All Filters" instead of using your major as a keyword.
  • Not Finding Anything? If you are having trouble finding jobs or internships, or none are showing-up after you filter your search, trying removing some of your filters.
  • Remote Opportunities: The best way for students to search for remote opportunities is to use the keyword search box and type in the word "remote".
  • Save Opportunities (you are interested in): This will save you time in the future if you decide to apply, provide insight to titles and companies you may be interested in the future, and provide guidance on skills and qualification to work on.
    • Saving opportunities also helps the Handshake algorithm find future opportunities that might be a good fit!
  • Explore: Spend a little time exploring all of the different opportunities out there.
  • Titles and your Degree: Use the Degrees Pages to help you explore potential titles and companies within your field. You can use that information to search for current opportunities available on Handshake.
  • Engagement: Engage with employers (that are open to communication) if you have questions or interest in an opportunity. You can use the "All Filters" to find employers that want you to connect with them.
  • Casual Employment: If you are looking for a casual opportunity you may want to check out,  "Local, Off-Campus Jobs for PSU Students" under employers.
Search Current Opportunities about this content
Handshake Resources