Handshake reviews

3.1

43% would recommend to a friend

(290 total reviews)

Garrett Lord

44% approve of CEO

37% positive business outlook

Handshake has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 290 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Handshake employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

290 reviews
1.0
Jul 25, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great, fun, and smart people Office Lunch

Cons

I've worked at several organizations, and unfortunately, this has been the most challenging environment by far. The biggest issue is leadership’s disconnect from how their teams truly feel. What keeps many of us going is the camaraderie built through shared frustration, not support from above. From a sales perspective, the approach here feels stuck in the past. The industry has evolved dramatically over the last decade, yet the emphasis on outdated volume-based tactics, reminiscent of the old "Indeed" model, has led to dismal results, with attainment hovering around 40% at best. Buyers today aren’t swayed by "excitement"or repetition, they’re looking to solve real, tangible business problems. None of which are discussed in any forecasting meetings, 1:1's, etc. It often starts and ends with "do they know the discount expires EOM?". Which leads to reps being forced to forecast a deal, only to have it drop at the finish line, while management looks at you like they saw a ghost. The mission, Students First, is genuinely meaningful. But for that mission to be sustainable and successful, Handshake must also include, at the bare minimum, Employees Second. It’s time to evolve, not just in product or GTM strategy, but in how we lead and support the people building the business. I promise, corny slacks from above, don't do anything.

4.0
Jun 11, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Very smart, passionate people in every division - Fast paced, ready to adjust and change to new information and ways of approaching the market - Recently brought in some strong executives and 2nd level leaders that have really changed company culture

Cons

- Needs more C/VP level executives - right now decisions are largely bottlenecked between a few people - Currently doing a major company pivot (Handshake AI) and its causing some thrash. This is also a positive thing for the future of the company but it does need to be addressed.

Viewing 52 - 54 of 290 Reviews

Glassdoor has 462 Handshake reviews submitted anonymously by Handshake employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Handshake is right for you.