Handshake is our job/employer database. Current students login using the university's SSO.  Select the  “Current Student” button and enter your Directory ID and password.  It is the same one you use for Testudo.

All engineering students should have their resume reviewed by Engineering Career Services before you start applying for jobs.

Information you provide in your Handshake profile MUST be accurate.

If you are dishonest, you will no longer be able to use the system, and we will refer you to the University Student Judiciary for a possible violation of the Code of Student Conduct and/or the Code of Academic Integrity.

We do our best to screen jobs that are submitted to Handshake; however we are unable to perform background checks on all employers posting opportunities. 

Students are urged to perform due diligence in researching employers when applying for or accepting employment.  Do not pay for training and always be skeptical of requests for money as part of a job offer.  Payment forwarding plans, money order deposits, cash transfers, requests for bank account information or social security numbers should all be considered red flags.

If you suspect employer fraud or if you are unsure of any unusual requests, contact the Engineering Career Services Office at CareerEngr@umd.edu immediately.  Please provide the employer name and the job title/job number, as well as the source of the job (if different than Handshake).  

Here are some additional tips offered by the Federal Trade Commission:

Never give out personal information like your social security or bank account number over email or phone. 
Never take cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment. Fake checks are common and the bank where you cash it will hold you accountable. 
Never cash a check that comes with “extra” money. Scammers send checks that require you to deposit a check at your bank, withdraw the “extra” money as cash, and then deposit that cash elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will be held accountable. 
Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram or any other service. Anyone who asks you to wire money is a scammer. Always be skeptical. If a job is offering a lot of money for very little work, it could be a scammer trying to get personal information from you. 

Always research the employer. Do they have a reputable website or professional references? 
Always be suspicious if the recruiter's email is a Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. account and NOT the company they claim to represent. 
Always be suspicious if an offer letter isn't on letterhead and has a large number of grammatical errors and typos. 
Always trust your instincts. If a job sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam.

If you must cancel an on-campus interview (or an appointment with a recruiter for a resume clinic or mock interview), please contact our office at least 2 business days in advance, or as soon as possible, so that we can fill the slot with another student and/or notify the employer of the schedule change.

If you cancel or miss an on-campus interview or appointment without notifying the Engineering Career Services staff, you will be considered a "no-show."

You will not be eligible to participate in other on-campus interviews until you write a letter of explanation to the employer.

This letter must first be approved by our office. Any student with two no-shows will be ineligible to use Handshake or participate in future on-campus interviews.

An appropriate apology letter should:

  • Express sincere regret for inconveniencing the recruiter.
  • Acknowledge that you behaved unprofessionally by failing to cancel or neglecting to show up for the interview.
  • Explain your reason for missing the interview.

Once you accept an offer, you are obligated to that position even if you get a better offer later. 

Do not accept a job offer unless and until you are sure of your commitment.

You should withdraw yourself from other positions you are being considered for and you should stop submitting new applications. 

If an employer makes you an offer in August or September for a summer internship or full time position, you may ask to have until the end of October to make your decision. If you receive an offer after September, you may ask to have 2-3 weeks to communicate your decision to the employer.

If you decide to renege on your commitment to accept a different offer, there will be consequences.  Reneging damages not just your professional reputation, but that of the Clark School of Engineering, and your actions can jeopardize opportunities for other students.  Your Handshake account will be blocked, and you will be barred from participating in campus recruiting activities until you meet with an Engineering Career Services advisor.  You will be required to compose a sincere letter of apology, explaining your actions, which we will review and submit to the recruiter.  Future recruiting privileges will be evaluated at that time. 

This policy deals with you reneging on your commitment to a company. If a company/organization rescinds its offer of employment to you, please notify the Engineering Career Services office immediately.

In the event of inclement weather, our office will follow the University of Maryland’s emergency procedures.

Please check the following sources for updates beginning at 5:30 a.m.

Campus Closure: If the University of Maryland is closed due to inclement weather, then all events, including information sessions and on-campus interviews, will be cancelled. We will be in touch with you via e-mail to discuss the next steps or alternate plans for interviews.

Weather Delay: If the University announces a delayed opening, interviews and events schedules will be adjusted as needed.

Early Closure: If the university announces an early closure due to deteriorating weather conditions, all evening events will be cancelled.


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