If a recruiter wants to find a CU Boulder student, the first place they will look is Handshake. So, here’s how to brand yourself and control what information employers find on this job search platform.

Step 1: Create an account

The Handshake account that you create is a great way to enhance your personal brand. It tells the story of your academic journey and the type of professional you want to become. By having an active and public account on Handshake, you can be viewed by more than 14,000 employers around the world who are looking for CU Boulder talent.

Use your long email address (firstname.lastname@colorado.edu) to set up your account.

Step 2: Fill out your profile

If you have a resume, the first step is to upload your document. Handshake will automatically fill in your profile with details from your resume. You might want to clean it up and make sure your major, expected graduation date and GPA were added correctly. If you don’t have a resume, you’ll need to fill these details in manually.

Add a professional photo or headshot so an employer can put a face to the name. Your photo helps to personalize and humanize the brand you’ve created for yourself. It’s easy for them to make a connection with your profile when they can “see” who’s behind it.

Step 3: Add work experience, university clubs and course work

Employers often find students by searching for specific companies they’ve worked for. List out your work experience in reverse chronological order, showing your most recent work experience first. You’ll want to list on-campus jobs and volunteer experiences here as well.

Be sure to list any student clubs or organizations you are involved with. This not only shows involvement on campus and leadership skills but can also give employers a look into your unique interests outside of the classroom.

Step 4: List your skills

This might be the most important step. Skills are the primary field that employers use to search for job or internship candidates. By listing your skills, you are showcasing character traits and unique abilities that make you employable. You can list soft skills such as communication and teamwork or technical skills such as data analytics or project management.

Step 5: Make your profile public

It might go without saying, but if you want employers to find you, you need to be findable. This means you need to make your profile public. You are five times more likely to be found and messaged by employers if you do this step.

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While searching for jobs or internships can feel challenging, there are strategies to make it easier. Here are some tips to help you in your search.

Search more efficiently

Setting up saved searches on employment platforms can be a huge help with finding opportunities. For example, if you set up a saved search in Handshake, you’ll get emails when a new posting is added that meets your search criteria. This way, you won’t have to check Handshake daily or re-enter your search parameters each time. Many employment pages and offer similar search capabilities.

If you don’t have a Handshake account set up yet, review these tips to help you complete your profile.

Get organized

When you find a job posting that interests you, you’ll want to act quickly. Create a template resume with all of your experience, skills and accomplishments. This core document can be your starting point as you tailor your experience and examples for each application. This allows you to focus on adapting your resume and cover letter rather than starting from scratch each time. Learn more about writing resumes.

Once you submit your job application, start preparing for interviews. Begin with reviewing commonly asked questions and writing out your answers. Next, practice answering questions out loud. Work with a friend, family member or career development advisor who will provide helpful feedback. Knowing how to confidently talk about yourself and your experiences can set you apart from other candidates.

Like your resume, your LinkedIn profile will need to tell your professional story. 84% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source candidates, and you’ll want to make sure your profile is complete and accurate. Think about each component of your profile and highlight your strengths. Check out these tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile.

Connect with others

Even if it feels like you don’t have a professional network yet, you’re a part of the Buff community. Whether you want to work at a specific company or in a certain field, the network of CU alumni can help. to start making connections.

Your family, friends, professors and supervisors can also be great resources. Reach out to let them know what you are looking for and how they may be helpful. They may be available for proofreading, or could connect you to a hiring manager with a great opportunity. It never hurts to ask!

You can also find career events, workshops, panels, fairs and other opportunities to connect with others on Handshake. Many of these events are being held virtually and from companies around the globe.

As always, career development advisors are here to help you in your search. Learn more about getting started with Career Services.

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