Handshake
EdTechSan Francisco, CA

Handshake

Connecting students, universities, and employers for career success.

Company Profile

Handshake is on a mission to democratize opportunity by ensuring all students, regardless of their background or where they go to school, have equal access to meaningful careers. They build the leading career network for college students and recent graduates, connecting them with employers and universities. The platform serves as a central hub where students can discover jobs and internships, connect with recruiters, and receive personalized career advice. For employers, Handshake offers a powerful tool to recruit diverse talent from thousands of educational institutions, while universities use it to manage career services and engagement.

For job seekers, Handshake offers a chance to work on a platform with significant social impact, directly influencing the career trajectories of millions of young people. The engineering culture is focused on building scalable, reliable, and user-friendly products. Engineers tackle complex challenges related to data matching, search algorithms, user experience design, and integrating with a vast network of educational institutions and companies. The team is passionate about their mission, fostering an environment of continuous learning and collaboration. Handshake's growth trajectory has been impressive, becoming the de facto standard for university career services and attracting major employers, solidifying its position as a key player in the EdTech and HR Tech landscape.

What makes Handshake unique for job seekers is the blend of mission-driven work with cutting-edge technology. You're not just building features; you're building pathways to economic mobility and equity. The company fosters a vibrant, inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work. Their tech stack includes Python (Django), React, PostgreSQL, and AWS, providing a robust and modern development environment. Working at Handshake means joining a team that is passionate about making a difference, where your contributions directly help students launch their careers. It's an opportunity to grow professionally in a fast-paced, impact-oriented organization that is truly changing the landscape of early career recruitment.

Quick Facts

Founded

2014

Employees

500-1000

Valuation

$3.5B valuation

Work Model

Hybrid

Salary Ranges
Engineer
$$150K-$220K
Product Manager
$$140K-$210K
Data Analyst
$$145K-$215K
Backed By
Lightspeed Venture PartnersKleiner PerkinsSpark CapitalGVCoatue
StageSeries F
Latest Round$200M
Top Roles
Software EngineerProduct ManagerData ScientistSales Development RepresentativeAccount ExecutiveUX DesignerTechnical Recruiter
Interview Process

Handshake's interview process typically involves an initial recruiter screen, followed by a technical assessment (coding challenge or system design for engineers) and multiple rounds of interviews. These rounds assess technical proficiency, product sense, collaboration skills, and alignment with their mission to democratize opportunity. Expect behavioral questions alongside technical ones.