To get started with Handshake as an employer and connect with CUNY SPH students and alumni, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Handshake employer registration page and enter your first name and last name, work email address (recommended), and a secure password. If you use a personal or generic email domain (e.g., @gmail.com), you may be asked to complete additional verification to connect you with the correct company.
2. Review Handshake’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click Create account to proceed.
3. Check your email for a verification message from Handshake and click the confirmation link to verify your account. Verification links expire after 12 hours; if you don’t receive the email, refer to Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Emails.
4. Complete your profile by providing the required information, including the types of candidates you are looking to recruit, your phone number, and—if applicable—your status as a third-party recruiter. You may also add a profile photo and your education history, if desired.
5. After completing your profile, search for your company name in Handshake. If your company appears, click Request to join. If your company does not appear, Handshake will display the option “+ Create a new company [Company Name]”. Select this option to create a new company profile and complete the required fields.
6. If you create a new company profile, your account will undergo identity and company verification. Handshake’s Trust & Safety team will review your submission before approval.
7. If prompted, you may create your first job posting or click Skip to continue without posting at this stage. Draft job postings can be completed once your account is approved.
8. Once your employer account and company profile are approved, search for CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy in Handshake to connect with our school and begin posting opportunities for students and alumni. To post a job, follow the steps in How to Post a Job.

By completing these steps, you’ll be ready to engage with CUNY SPH students and alumni and participate fully in the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair.

To access your existing Handshake employer account:

1. Go to app.joinhandshake.com/login.
2. Enter the email address associated with your employer account in the field labeled “Enter email,” then click Next.
3. Type your password and click Log in to access your profile.

If you’ve forgotten your password, click Forgot your password? on the login page and follow the prompts. Handshake will email you instructions to reset it. If you don’t see the email, check your spam folder or request another reset link. For step-by-step guidance, refer to Reset Password for an Employer Account.

If you need additional support, you can book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact us at CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

To create, complete, or update your employer and company profile on Handshake, review the following resources in the order listed below:

1. Getting Started With Handshake: Employers: A step-by-step onboarding guide covering how to create a user account, join or create a company profile, complete employer verification, customize your profile, set notification preferences, connect with schools, and begin recruiting on Handshake.
2. How to Edit Your Company Profile Settings: Learn how to update your company’s details, including contact information, industry, locations, and other key fields to ensure your organization is accurately represented.
3. Create a High-Quality Employer Profile: Best-practice guidance for building a strong employer profile that supports Handshake’s verification process, establishes credibility, and attracts student and alumni talent.

If you need additional assistance, you can book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

To connect your company with CUNY SPH and engage with our students and alumni, your employer account and company profile must first be approved in Handshake. Once approved, there are two primary ways to connect with our school:

Post a job or internship to CUNY SPH

1. Log in to your Handshake account and create a job posting.
2. When selecting schools to post your position, include “CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.”
3. Job postings are reviewed by our team, and once approved, your company will be connected with CUNY SPH and visible to our students and alumni.

Request to connect without posting a job

1. If you are not ready to post a position but would like to connect with CUNY SPH, you may request to join our school network directly through Handshake.
2. This allows you to build a relationship with our office and prepares your account for future postings or events. For assistance, you may also contact us at CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

Once your company is approved by CUNY SPH

1. You can post additional jobs and events targeted to CUNY SPH students and alumni.
2. You’ll gain access to search for and message candidates, based on your Handshake plan.
3. You’ll be able to register for employer-facing events, including the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair, to connect with public health talent.

For additional guidance, refer to How to Post a Job, Managing School Connections, or reach out to our team if you need support navigating the process.

Handshake allows each user to be connected to only one company profile per email address. How you add teammates depends on your employer account type.

To invite staff members using an invite link (all employers):

1. Log in to your Handshake employer account.
2. Click your name in the upper-right corner and select Teammates.
3. Click Copy Invite Link.
4. Choose the appropriate role and share the link with your colleague.
5. Ask your colleague to use the link within 48 hours, before it expires.

To manually add teammates (on-campus employers and Premium partners only):

1. Log in to your Handshake employer account.
2. Click your name in the upper-right corner and select Teammates.
3. Click Add Teammate Manually, enter your colleague’s information, assign their role, and submit the invitation.
4. Before adding them, confirm whether your colleague already has a Handshake account to avoid connection issues.

For step-by-step guidance, refer to How to Invite Staff Members to Join Handshake or How to Manually Add Teammates to Your Company’s Profile.
If you need support, you can book a Handshake Office Hours session or email CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

The Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair is open to all CUNY graduate students and all CUNY alumni. Employers will have access to a diverse pool of graduate-level candidates across the CUNY system, including students and alumni pursuing and holding advanced degrees in public health and related fields.

To locate and register for the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair in Handshake:

1. Log in to your Handshake account at app.joinhandshake.com/login.
2. Click Fairs from the lefthand navigation bar.
3. Use the search bar to enter “CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy” or “CUNY SPH Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair.”
4. Apply filters as needed (e.g., Virtual, Open for Registration, or Date) to narrow your results.
5. Select the fair from the results list to view details and begin the registration process.

To complete your registration, follow the steps outlined in Registering for a Fair (Employers), which walks through the full Handshake registration process.

When prompted for payment information, select “Manual.” There is no cost to attend this fair.

If you do not see the Fairs option in your navigation menu, your user role may not include permission to view or manage career fairs. In this case, request access from your organization’s Handshake Owner or Admin.

Each organization may register up to 100 representatives to participate in the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair. Once your company is registered, additional team members can be added and assigned to one-on-one and group sessions through your Handshake employer account.

If you need help adding team members or assigning roles, contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu or book a Handshake Office Hours session.

To create and schedule group and one-on-one sessions for the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair, follow the steps outlined in Creating a Schedule for Virtual Fairs. This resource walks through building your schedule, assigning team members, and setting up sessions to engage with students and alumni.

For additional support, you’re welcome to join a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu for assistance.

Handshake allows employers to set student eligibility (qualifications) to limit session registration to specific student populations based on education information.

To set eligibility preferences, refer to Creating a Schedule for Virtual Fairs and Fairs: Set Student Qualifications, which walk through how to apply filters such as school year, major group, college, GPA, or required labels.

Please note that all students can view the fair, but only students whose profiles meet the selected qualifications will be able to register for your sessions.

If you have questions about setting qualifications or selecting the right criteria, you’re welcome to book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu for guidance.

To edit, reschedule, or cancel group and one-on-one sessions after they are published, refer to Managing Schedules for Virtual Fairs. This resource outlines who can make changes, how to manage schedules, and any role-based limitations.

If you need additional support, you’re welcome to join a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

After your company’s registration for the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair is approved, the Schedule Owner can create and manage your fair schedule in Handshake.

To assign team members to host group or one-on-one sessions, follow the steps outlined in Creating a Schedule for Virtual Fairs, which walks through adding teammates, creating sessions, and assigning hosts.

Please note:

1. All team members must have an active Handshake employer account and be connected to your company profile to host sessions.
2. If a teammate does not appear as an option, they may need to create an account or accept an invitation to join your company in Handshake.
3. There is a limit of 100 team members per employer registration for virtual fairs.

For additional support, you’re welcome to book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

To post job or internship listings on Handshake ahead of the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair, follow the steps outlined in: How to Post a Job.

We strongly recommend posting your open roles as early as possible to ensure a streamlined experience leading up to the fair. Posting in advance allows students and alumni to review your opportunities, prepare thoughtful questions, and engage more meaningfully during sessions.

When creating your posting, be sure to select “CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy” on the Choose schools page so your opportunity is visible to CUNY SPH students and alumni.

During fair registration, you’ll be asked to indicate whether your roles are already posted on Handshake:

1. Yes → Select your jobs from the Jobs on Handshake dropdown
2. No → Enter job titles manually
3. I’m not hiring right now → Select this option if applicable

Handshake also includes a Jobs tab within the employer view of the fair, allowing you to manage existing postings, add new roles, and associate jobs with specific divisions if needed.

For additional support, book a Handshake Office Hours session or email CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu for assistance.

To make the most of the Career Fair, prepare these key materials:

1. Organization overview: A concise summary of your mission, values, and public health focus to help candidates quickly understand your work and impact.
2. Open role details: Clear information about current job, internship, or fellowship opportunities, including qualifications, timelines, and application steps. We strongly recommend posting all open roles on Handshake ahead of the fair to ensure a streamlined experience for candidates.
3. Session materials (if applicable): Slides, talking points, or visuals to support group sessions and highlight your team, projects, or growth areas.
4. Staff readiness: Ensure all representatives are familiar with your organization, open roles, and recruiting goals, and aligned on how to answer common candidate questions.
5. Follow-up plan: Clear next steps for interested candidates, such as application links, timelines, or contact information, to maintain momentum after the fair.

For additional guidance, you’re welcome to book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu for support.

To attract and engage graduate-level public health candidates during the Career Fair, we recommend being intentional about how, when, and why you connect with students and alumni.

Offer a mix of session formats and times.

Employers can host two types of sessions:

1. Group sessions, designed for multiple attendees, are ideal for introducing your organization, highlighting mission and impact, and answering broad questions.
2. 1:1 sessions, designed for one student and one employer representative, allow for deeper, personalized conversations with qualified candidates.

Offering both formats helps you reach a wider audience while still making space for meaningful individual engagement. We also recommend spreading sessions across different time slots to accommodate varied schedules.

Be clear about your mission, impact, and roles.

Graduate-level public health candidates are often motivated by mission alignment and real-world impact. Use your sessions to clearly communicate:

1. Your organization’s public health focus and values
2. The types of roles or projects candidates might contribute to
3. How your work supports communities, systems, or population health outcomes

Posting your open roles on Handshake in advance helps students come prepared and allows for more focused conversations.

Engage actively during sessions.

Use Handshake’s video, audio, and chat features to create an interactive experience. Encourage questions, invite brief introductions, and leave time for discussion rather than relying solely on prepared remarks.

Plan for follow-up.

Let candidates know what next steps look like—whether that’s applying through Handshake, connecting after the fair, or attending a future info session. Clear follow-up guidance helps maintain momentum after the event.

By combining thoughtful session design, clear communication, and active engagement, employers can build strong connections with graduate-level public health talent during the Career Fair.

Before the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair, we strongly recommend testing your setup in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

1. Review the Host Requirements for Integrated Video to confirm your device, browser, and internet connection meet Handshake’s requirements.
2. Once your setup is confirmed, use the Handshake Video Test to check your audio, video, and screen-sharing settings.

Testing ahead of time helps prevent technical issues during your sessions and ensures you’re fully prepared to engage with candidates on the day of the fair.

If you need support troubleshooting your setup, you’re welcome to book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

On the day of the Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair, employers can access and launch their scheduled sessions directly through Handshake. For step-by-step instructions, refer to Hosting Virtual Fair Sessions, which explains how to join and manage both Handshake Video sessions and externally hosted sessions.

Key things to know for the day of the fair:

1. You can launch sessions up to 60 minutes before their scheduled start time.
2. Students can join sessions up to 5 minutes early to test their connection.
3. For sessions hosted on Handshake, use the Launch video button from the fair’s Schedule tab.
4. For externally hosted sessions, students will join using the external link you provided.

Important: Be sure to check in and launch each session individually. If a session is not launched or checked into, it may be marked as unattended, even if you intended to host it.

For additional preparation tips, we recommend reviewing Preparing for the Day-of a Virtual Fair in advance. If you need assistance, you can book a Handshake Office Hours session or contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.

To have productive, high-impact conversations during the Career Fair, focus on being intentional with how you use each session type and how you engage with candidates:

1. Be purposeful with session formats: Use group sessions to share a clear overview of your organization, mission, and opportunities, and to address common questions. Reserve one-on-one sessions for deeper conversations focused on candidate interests, qualifications, and role fit.
2. Come prepared to engage: Review student registrations and Handshake profiles ahead of time so you can ask informed questions and tailor your conversations. Having a few consistent talking points and questions prepared helps keep sessions focused and efficient.
3. Communicate next steps clearly: Let candidates know how to apply, what the hiring timeline looks like, and how you’ll follow up after the fair. Clear expectations help maintain momentum and interest.
4. Follow up after the fair: Use Handshake messaging to reconnect with candidates you spoke with and continue the conversation. For guidance, refer to Following Up After a Fair.

For additional best practices, you may also explore Virtual Fair Training for Employers and Virtual Career Fairs: Strategies and Learnings from the Fall, which highlight effective engagement strategies used by employers on Handshake.

Ask questions that help you understand a student’s background, interests, and career goals while also creating space for a two-way conversation. Effective questions might include:

1. Can you briefly share your academic focus and any experiences or projects most relevant to your career interests?
2. What attracted you to this role, field, or organization?
3. Which skills or experiences are you most interested in applying or developing next?
4. What types of work environments or teams do you thrive in?
5. What questions do you have about our organization, roles, or career pathways?

These questions can help you assess fit, identify motivated candidates, and make your sessions more engaging and informative for students.

If you experience technical issues during the Career Fair, Career Services staff will be available in a dedicated Help Room on Zoom throughout the event. Details and the Zoom link will be shared in advance via email.

You may also report issues directly through Handshake or contact us at CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu for support.

To minimize disruptions, we strongly recommend testing your audio, video, and internet connection ahead of time. For preparation guidance, refer to Handshake’s troubleshooting resources or book a Handshake Office Hours session prior to the fair.

To access student profiles and resumes after the Career Fair, refer to Following Up After a Fair.

If you have questions about post-fair access or permissions, contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu or book a Handshake Office Hours session.

The best way to follow up with students is by messaging them directly on Handshake. This allows you to continue the conversation and provide additional information about your opportunities. For detailed instructions, refer to Messaging Event and Fair RSVPs.

For additional support, contact CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu or book a Handshake Office Hours session.

After the Career Fair, the Office of Career Services will send a post-event feedback survey via email. We encourage you to complete this survey to help us improve future fairs.

You’re also welcome to share feedback or questions at any time by emailing CareerServices@sph.cuny.edu.