Handshake

Handshake is USA鈥檚 cutting edge job platform and primary career management system. It adjusts to student's needs based on career interests and experiences. The Office of Financial Aid uses Handshake to post Federal Work Study (FWS) job opportunities as well as job opportunities that are not funded by FWS.

The 秘密研究所 and the Office of Financial Aid are not responsible for the safety, wages, working conditions or other aspects of the off-campus employment. The University does not make any representation as to the working conditions that may exist at any place of employment. Use of this system shall be entirely at the risk of the users hereof and the University expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect thereto. It is the responsibility of the student to research the integrity of the organizations to which they are applying. The student is advised to use caution and common sense when applying for any position with an organization or private party.

Federal Work Study (FWS) and Handshake: Frequently Asked Questions

鈻� Am I eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS)?

Students can verify if they have been awarded FWS on their current or upcoming year's aid offer in PAWS.

If FWS is not listed on a current or upcoming year's aid offer, students can email finaid@southalabama.edu and request to be added to the FWS Waiting List. If FWS funds are available, they will be added to the student's aid offer. The student will also receive an email notifying them of their updated aid offer in PAWS.

鈻� What do I need to complete before searching for jobs?

Students must complete the online FWS Orientation and submit the final page of the Orientation before searching for jobs.

鈻� I have been selected for Off Campus FWS. How do I search for jobs?

Go to .
Once logged in, please click 'Jobs' at the top.
Click on the 'Filters' button.
Click on 'Part-time' and 'Job'. Also, check the 'Work-Study' box. Then select 'See Jobs'.
All Off Campus FWS job openings for the semester should be listed. Please follow the instructions regarding contacting the employer to set up an interview.

鈻� I have been selected for On Campus FWS. How do I search for jobs?

Go to .
Once logged in, click 'Jobs' at the top of the page.
Click on the 'Filters' button.
Click on 'Part-time' and 'On Campus'. Also, check the 'Work-Study' box. Then select 'See Jobs'.
All On Campus FWS job openings for the semester should be listed. Please follow the instructions regarding contacting the employer to set up an interview.

鈻� I am not eligible for FWS. Can I still look for jobs?

Please contact Career Development at careerdevelopment@southalabama.edufor other job opportunities.

Accessing Handshake: Frequently Asked Questions

鈻� How can I access Handshake?

Go to . Students will then be prompted to enter their JagMail email address.
Current or returning students have been preloaded into Handshake. Once the student's JagMail email address has been entered in the box below 'Please Sign In', an automatic email will be sent from Handshake for a 'Password Reset Request'. Click on the link in the email and then type in the new password for the Handshake account.

PLEASE NOTE: Incoming freshmen and transfer students will be loaded into the system after the current Summer semester ends.

鈻� How do I complete my profile?

Students will need to decide whether to make their profile public or private.

A public profile, and most information in the profile, can be seen by any employer on Handshake. (Note: There are some Handshake profile components, like GPA, that have their own privacy settings. Students can make your profile public, but GPA private, for example). Profiles cannot be seen by other students or by Career Development Centers at other schools.

If a student makes their profile private, it can only be seen by the student and University of South Alabama Handshake Administrators. Students can switch their profile privacy status at any time, from private to public or from public to private.

鈻� Do you have any suggestions for what to include in my profile?

When completing a profile in Handshake, students should remember the following:

Complete the profile sections individually or upload a resume. Should a resume be uploaded, students can choose to pull information directly from the resume document into the system profile, including: work experience, extra-curricular activities, and skills.
Check the details to make sure everything is correctly listed in the profile. Include an expected graduation month and year since employers may screen on this criteria.
Most employers search for candidates based on skill sets, so students should be sure to add a thorough list of skills to your profile.
When adding a profile photo, students should make sure they are professionally dressed and alone in the photograph: