Handshake | RemoWork

What is Handshake?

Handshake is a major career technology platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco. Originally built to connect college students and recent graduates with job opportunities, Handshake now serves over 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600+ educational institutions, and 1 million employers including all Fortune 50 companies. Through its Handshake AI program, the platform connects highly educated and skilled individuals — often Master's and PhD students — with leading AI labs for specialized projects. Contributors work as independent contractors on a flexible, remote basis, typically 5–20 hours per week, completing tasks such as AI data annotation, model evaluation, prompt creation, and expert feedback. Projects run year-round and span domains including software engineering, STEM fields, and professional specializations. Handshake's AI team builds human data products and expert annotation platforms to accelerate AI research and improve model performance.

Mission & values

To democratize access to opportunity and help every student find the right job, no matter where they're from or who they know.

Students first

If it doesn't expand access or improve outcomes for job seekers, it doesn't come first.

Olympic pace

Set the pace with urgency, hours, and energy that inspire others.

Own the outcome

Fix what's broken and finish what needs to get done without waiting on others.

Invent and reinvent

Navigate ambiguity deftly and evolve alongside a constantly changing business.

Leave nothing to chance

Think beyond the immediate goal and exhaust all possible options.

Life at Handshake

Students at computer monitors in a classroom — Career-ready students

Three young men laughing at a laptop indoors — Student community

Three students laughing together at a cafe table — Study group

Four colleagues around a table with notebooks — Team meeting

Qualifications

Applicants must be based in the United States with valid U.S. work authorization (SSN or ITIN required). U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and F-1 Visa holders eligible for CPT or OPT are supported. For generalist annotation roles, strong attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, and proficiency in English writing are required — no prior professional experience is necessary, but a skills assessment must be passed. For STEM specialist and AI Tutor roles, a PhD in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, or Math (in progress or completed within the last 10 years) is typically required, with published research and teaching experience as a plus. Software engineering roles require at least four years of professional experience and strong coding proficiency in Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, or Go. A personal device running Windows 10+ or macOS Big Sur 11.0+ and reliable smartphone access are needed for all roles.

Leadership

G

Garrett Lord

CEO & Co-Founder

Michigan Tech alum who co-founded Handshake in 2014 after seeing non-target-school peers struggle to find internships.

J

Jonathan Stull

President & COO

Leads operations and go-to-market for Handshake's three-sided marketplace.

M

Matt Greenberg

CTO

Heads engineering and the Handshake AI product organization.

Hiring process

1

Application

Apply via the Handshake careers page with resume and role-specific questions.

About 3 days
2

Recruiter screen

30-minute intro call covering background, motivation, and role fit.

About 7 days
3

Hiring manager interview

Deep dive on role competencies and past experience.

About 7 days
4

Onsite / virtual loop

Technical and cross-functional interviews with the team.

About 10 days
5

Offer

Reference checks followed by a written offer.

About 5 days

Funding

StageSeries C+

Total raised$434,000,000

Last roundJanuary 2022

Investors

Coatue Valiant Peregrine Fund Base10 Advancement Initiative Kleiner Perkins Spark Capital Lightspeed True Ventures EQT Ventures GGV Capital Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Emerson Collective Reach Capital

Awards & recognition

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Northern California Finalist (Garrett Lord) · 2023

EY ↗

Frequently asked questions

Is Handshake legitimate?

Yes, Handshake is a legitimate company listed on RemoWork. We verify all companies on our platform. However, we always recommend doing your own research before sharing personal information or starting work. Check reviews from other users and visit the company's official website for the most up-to-date information.

How do I get started with Handshake?

To get started, visit Handshake's official website and look for their careers or sign-up page. Create an account, complete your profile with relevant skills and experience, and apply for available positions or projects. Some companies may require you to pass a qualification test or assessment before you can start working.

Does Handshake offer remote work?

Yes, Handshake offers remote work opportunities. Most tasks and positions can be completed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and a computer or smartphone. Specific location requirements may vary by project or role, so check individual listings for details.

How does Handshake pay its workers?

Payment methods and schedules vary. Common payment options include PayPal, bank transfers, Payoneer, and other digital payment platforms. Visit Handshake's official website or check their payment/FAQ section for specific details about payment methods, minimum thresholds, and payout schedules.

What skills do I need to work with Handshake?

Required skills vary by role and project. Generally, you'll need a reliable internet connection, basic computer literacy, strong attention to detail, and good communication skills. Some positions may require specialized expertise, language proficiency, or technical qualifications. Check individual job listings for specific requirements.

What types of tasks are available on Handshake?

Handshake specializes in AI training tasks including data annotation, text evaluation, content rating, prompt engineering, and AI model evaluation. Tasks range from simple labeling to complex writing and analysis projects that help train large language models and AI systems.

Do I need a degree to work on Handshake?

No formal degree is universally required for most Handshake projects. However, some specialized tasks may prefer candidates with expertise in specific domains like STEM, linguistics, creative writing, or other fields. Strong English proficiency and attention to detail are the most important qualifications.

How much can I earn on Handshake?

Earnings on Handshake vary by project type, complexity, and your skill level. Payment rates are typically set per task or per hour and are communicated before you begin a project. More specialized tasks and projects requiring domain expertise tend to offer higher compensation.

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