Handshake is a career networking platform that connects over 15 million students and young alumni with nearly 1 million employers, facilitating access to job opportunities and internships tailored for early-career professionals. The platform addresses the challenge of limited access to career resources by providing a centralized hub for job seekers and employers across diverse industries, including education, healthcare, and nonprofits.
Funding
$200M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
VPFounders
Product
Problem
Early-career professionals often face challenges in accessing diverse job opportunities and building professional networks, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds or attending schools with limited employer connections. Traditional recruiting systems can be selective and rely heavily on pre-existing networks, creating barriers to entry for many job seekers.
Solution
Handshake is a career networking platform designed to connect students and recent graduates with employers across various industries. The platform aggregates job and internship opportunities, providing a centralized hub for early-career professionals to discover roles tailored to their skills and interests. Handshake partners with universities and employers to expand access to career resources, facilitating connections that might not otherwise occur through traditional recruiting channels. The platform also offers tools for students to build their professional brand, refine their search, and connect with recruiters, students, and alumni.
Target Audience
Handshake primarily targets college students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals seeking internships and entry-level job opportunities, as well as employers looking to recruit early talent.
Features
- Personalized job and internship recommendations based on user profiles and interests
- Direct messaging with recruiters, students, and alumni for networking and career advice
- Virtual and in-person event listings, including career fairs and networking sessions
- Enhanced filtering and targeting capabilities for employers to refine their talent pool
- Brand pages for employers to showcase their company culture and opportunities
- Integration with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring process
- Mobile app for on-the-go job searching and networking
- Career guidance content, including articles and videos