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Handshake | Recruiting

Handshake is TCNJ’s recruitment program which allows students/alumni to submit resumés to potential employers and/or interview one another regarding possible employment opportunities.

Employers

On Campus Interviews, Internships & Job Postings

Announce full-time and internship opportunities to our students and alumni!  Please refer to our Campus Recruiting Information for Employers for guidelines & best practices.

Students – Getting Started

Activating Handshake

  • Sign into Handshake using your TCNJ student login and password
  • Edit the primary education section with your major(s), GPA, and expected graduation date.
  • Add copies of your resume/cover letter/transcript to the “documents” section for easy access.
  • Stand out to employers by filling out the various sections of your profile, and continue to update your profile as details change.

Using the System

  • Once you have your resume uploaded, you can use Handshake to:
    • search for available internships, part-time, or full-time jobs.
    • apply to on campus interviews
    • view events and career fairs
  • See our Handshake Tips & Tricks

Scheduling Appointments

  • You can schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor using Handshake as well.
  • At the top of the page, click on Career Center > Appointments.
  • Choose the topic you wish to discuss and schedule a date and time that works for you. A confirmation email will be sent when your appointment is approved.
  • Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your appointment to check in.

For a quick response to any questions regarding Handshake, call The Career Center, 609-771-2161, or visit Roscoe West 102. Many times it is more efficient to address your question in person.

Safe Online Job Searching

Beware of Phishing and Other Scams

Handshake and a variety online job boards are very convenient for you to find positions. Although security precautions exist, scammers can sometimes get through and create fraudulent positions. While we try to screen employers and the positions they post to Handshake, it is very important that you proceed with caution and common sense. You need to read position descriptions carefully before applying.

You can review Handshake’s privacy policy . Handshake has high security thresholds, but no system is 100%. You control the distribution of your resume in the Handshake system by submission. No employer has access to your Documents section or Profile, unless you choose to make your profile public.

Trust your instincts! If you are uncomfortable with some of the information requested, do not continue contact with the organization or individual. If you receive follow-up correspondence or an offer that seems unusual, you need to proceed with caution. Some e-mail providers along with social media sites allow you to block users, so use this to protect yourself.

Some Common Suspicious Activity

  • If you are asked to provide a credit card, bank, PayPal account, Social Security numbers, photo ID or payment
  • If you are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for a money transfer
  • If you receive a large check – DO NOT CASH THE CHECK
  • If you asked to a background check before prior to a pending offer
  • If the e-mail address does not match the organization’s website. For example an AOL e-mail for ABC Company instead of the company e-mail appearing in the address.
  • If you are asked to buy something beforehand

Reviewing the Job/Intern Description

  • Be cautious of postings for work-at-home, mystery shoppers, or virtual positions
  • Please note one of the policies for TCNJ Career Center is we do not post internships/positions where work is in a home residence
  • Again, listed salary too good to be true or pay up front? Beware!
  • Are there misspellings?
  • If the position listing is an international opportunity, does it include travel expenses or upfront program fees? Proceed with caution
  • Verify that a URL listed in the ad goes to the internet domain of the company listed. For example the add includes company 123 with web address-www.123. com/career and goes to www.123.org

What To Do When Involved in a Potential Scam

  • End all communication and if personal information was provided, monitor your accounts and stop payments
  • Each bank or credit card has a fraud service – report immediately
  • Contact The Career Center (career@tcnj.edu or call 609.771.2161) ASAP so we can review, notify others, and report incidents
  • Report to The Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx)
  • If the incident occurred entirely over the internet, file an incident report with the FCC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or at https://www.cybercrime.gov.

Know the Labor Laws, Procedures, and Policies:

More Resources for Safe Online Job Searching:

Contact

The Career Center
Roscoe West Library, Room 102
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

609.771.2161
Staff Directory
Office and Resumé Open Hours

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