Student FAQs

What is Handshake?

Handshake is a searchable online database where students can search for full-time, internship and part-time opportunities. Thousands of employers post their positions on Handshake. You also can post your resume, register for career events, and sign up for on-campus interviews – all through Handshake!

What if I forget my Towson NetID and password?

Contact Student Computing Services Desk at scs AT_TOWSON or 410-704-5151, or visit SCS’s Tech Overture Online, a site designed to introduce you to Towson’s computing systems and services.

How do I create a Handshake account?

As a currently enrolled student, you automatically have a Handshake account. To access this account, go to the Handshake student login page and log in with your Towson NetID and password.

How do I add (upload) a new document?

Here is a 2-minute video and instructions on how to upload a new document.

*We highly recommend having your resume reviewed at the Career Center before posting.

Do I have to upload my resume?

Uploading a resume is not required to conduct a job or internship search. However, the on-campus recruiting program, including the Teacher Recruitment Fair, requires a resume.

How do I search for On-Campus and Work Study Positions?

Within the job search, you can search specifically for on campus or work study positions following these steps:

• Navigate to the jobs workflow on the lefthand navigation pane
• To find positions designated as work study jobs, click on “View All” under job type
• Select “On Campus Employment” from the available job types. This will give you all of the jobs that have been specified as on campus positions.
• To find those positions specifically designated work study positions, scroll down the job search page and check the checkbox next to “Work Study.” This will give you all positions that were marked as work study (some may also be on campus employment).

I’m eligible for work study, how do I add it to my profile?

If you are eligible for work-study, the Career Center automatically updates the status of your Handshake account before the start of each semester. If you need to request an update to your work-study eligibility status, contact the Career Center at 410-704-2233 or careercenter AT_TOWSON.

Once your status is updated, you will be able to view and apply for work-study jobs.

How do I register for an Event?

1. Log in to your Handshake account
2. Click on the “Events” tab
3. Review the list of events and select the one for which you would like to register
4. Click “Join Event”

How do I schedule an appointment at the Career Center?

Students can schedule an appointment with a Career Center coach or counselor directly through Handshake using the following instructions:

1. Log in to your Handshake account
2. Go to the “Career Center” tab > click “Appointments”
3. Choose a Category
4. Click “Schedule a New Appointment”
5. Choose an Appointment Type
6. Use the calendar feature to select a day that says “Appointments Available”*
7. Then select the Coach/Counselor/Date/Time
8. Fill out the “What can we help you with?” comment box and click “Request”
9. The Career Center will review your request, and you will receive an email notification

*Please note: To accommodate the needs of TU's large student population, appointments can only be requested three days in advance of the appointment day, and individual appointments are limited to three per semester. If you need to cancel an appointment, log in to Handshake, go to the appointment, and click “Cancel Appointment” at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. A “no-show” will be declared when 10 minutes have elapsed past the original start time of the scheduled appointment and you have yet to arrive. 

How do I apply for an On-Campus Interview?

Interview conveniently on campus with employers interested in hiring TU students for job and internship opportunities. Competition for interview slots is limited to just TU students. To participate, follow the steps below.

STEP 1: APPLY

To arrange a campus interview, you must apply through Handshake before the specified application deadline. Some employers may ask you to apply through both Handshake and their websites. In such a situation, job descriptions in Handshake will provide the instructions.
After submitting the required materials (usually a cover letter and resume), the employer will review your application and decide whether or not they would like to schedule an interview.

STEP 2: MONITOR YOUR APPLICATION

You will be able to monitor the status of any positions you apply for through Handshake. Employers use the system to post and manage job openings. Keep an eye on your application. Once the employer has reviewed it, you will see one of the following statuses next to the position:

• Accepted: The employer has accepted your application for an interview
• Alternate: The employer has accepted you as an alternate candidate
• Declined: The employer has declined your application for an interview

If you are “Accepted” or “Alternate,” you will receive a notification about when and how to schedule your interview through Handshake. Note that being an alternate does not guarantee an interview slot.

How do I protect myself against Fraudulent Employers?

All job/internship postings to Handshake are made by employers without endorsement, direct or implied, by Towson University Career Services or Towson University. The Handshake platform is provided free of charge to employers and student/alumni job seekers, and the university explicitly makes no representation or guarantees about job listings or the accuracy of information provided by employers. The university acts only as an intermediary between employers who post and candidates who seek job opportunities. It is the responsibility of students to perform due diligence in researching employers whenever applying for or accepting private, off-campus employment and to thoroughly research the facts and reputation of each organization to which they are applying. Students should be prudent and use common sense and caution when applying for or accepting any position. Towson University is not responsible for employers’ representations or guarantees with regard to job postings.

If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact the Towson University Career Center. If you believe you are the victim of fraud from a job listing, please contact the police immediately.

Avoiding Job Scams

Wondering if a job posting is a scam or not? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some indicators that a job may be fraudulent:

• The promise of a large salary for very little work.
• You are asked to send/wire/transfer/deposit money (cash, check, money order, etc.) to/for the “employer.” Even if they sent you a check to deposit in your own account; the check could be fake.
• You are asked to reship packages (you could be liable for receiving/distributing stolen property).
• You are asked to give credit card or bank account numbers, or copies of personal documents.
• You are asked for an initial investment and/or to send payment by wire service or courier.
• The posting includes many spelling and grammatical errors, uses a generic email address (i.e., @yahoo.com or @gmail.com), and/or has a basic or incomplete website.
• The posting description focuses solely on the amount of money to be made and neglects to mention the responsibilities of the job.
• The employer offers employment without an interview.
• An online search of the company name and the word “scam” (i.e., “Acme Company scam”) shows results.
• If you have any questions or suspect a job scam, please email the Career Center at careercenter AT_TOWSON.

Additional information on job scams, including what to look out for and how to report scams, can be found on the Federal Trade Commission website.