Graduate Access to Beds Career Builder & Handshake
At the University of Bedfordshire we offer our graduates lifetime support.
To ensure that you can continue to access our services and resources, update your Handshake and Beds Career Builder accounts by following the instructions below.
Don't worry if you have never accessed your accounts before, we have included instructions for you too!
If you have any questions about accessing Beds Career Builder or Handshake as a Graduate please call the Careers and Employability Service on
01582 489 293 or email careers@beds.ac.uk
Accessing Handshake as a graduate
Through Handshake you can:
- Search for paid and volunteering opportunities
- Book appointments to speak with an adviser
- Register for graduate events run by the Careers Service, including the Succeed@Beds Summer Programme
- Network with employers and volunteering organisations
- Opt to receive email job alerts by editing your profile
To access Handshake as a graduate following the appropriate steps for you, as outlined below.
If you completed your studies from early 2023 you will likely already have a Handshake account set-up and you will be able to access your account using your student log-in details.
If you are in your final year of study you will need to update your account to include a personal email address (and make this your primary email address within Handshake) to make sure you can continue to access Handshake after you graduate. This is really quick to do by following the below steps:
- Log-in to your Handshake account at beds.joinhandshake.co.uk
- Once logged in click on your account icon in the upper-right corner of the Handshake screen, then click on Settings from the menu
- On the page that loads, scroll down to the bottom of the Account Information section to 'Emails' and click on the link '+ Add another email'
- A text box will appear in that space — enter the email address you'd like to add, then click Add to the far right of the text box
- You will receive an email from Handshake asking you to verify your new email address
After you've added and confirmed your personal email address on your account, you will need to make your personal email address your primary email within Handshake.
- Follow steps 1 - 3 as outlined above
- Click the three dots menu to the far-right of the email address you would like to make your primary, then click on Make Primary.
After you have completed your studies your account will be updated and you will be asked to create a new password that you can use to log-in to the platform.
If you do not complete the above steps, you will lose access to your student account on Handshake and any saved information and applications once you have completed your course of study. If this happens please email careers@beds.ac.uk or call 01582 489 293 to discuss how you can continue to access the platform as a graduate.
If you completed your studies before 2023 you will need to register for an account in order to access Handshake – this is really quick and simple to do by following the below steps:
- Go to beds.joinhandshake.co.uk
- In the top right-hand corner, click on ‘No account? Sign in here’
- Enter your personal email address and click, Continue (Please do not use your student email to register for a graduate account. The email you specify will be where all correspondence from Handshake is directed)
- Follow the instructions to set up your graduate account (please include your Student Number in the registration form as this will allow us to confirm your account more easily)
Once you have completed the above tips, your account request will be sent to the Careers Team to review and approve (please allow up to 5 working days for account approvals).
Once your account has been approved you will receive an email from Handshake and be able to access your graduate Handshake account.
Accessing Beds Career Builder as a graduate
Beds Career Builder is your interactive virtual career development platform giving you access to all the tools you need to kickstart your career:
- Navigate our career timelines - discover what you need to do to maximise your employability
- Explore the comprehensive resource library featuring podcasts, videos, e-learning courses and much more
- Create a professional, ATS-friendly CV to suit your skills and experience using CV Builder
- Review your CV using CV360 for real time feedback using the latest AI technology
- Practice your interview technique and get instant feedback using the AI enabled Interview 360
- Understand your motivations, preferences and values using quizzes and self assessment tools
- Discover and develop new career and business skills with expert-advice videos, interactive e-learning courses, tips and articles
- Plus much more including an elevator pitch builder, aptitude tests and assessment centre tools
To access Beds Career Builder as a graduate following the appropriate steps for you, as outlined below.
Follow the steps below to convert to a graduate account:
- Log-in to Beds Career Builder (selecting 'Student' and sign in with your normal university log-in details)
- Click on your avatar at the top right of the homepage and select My Profile
- Select Graduate Access, enter your personal email address and click the update button
- Before your graduate go to the same page and select the switch to graduate access button (if you have recently graduates follow this step immediately after updating your email)
Please be aware that this will disable your existing student login. You can undo this action within 30 days of switching.
You can continue to access your student Beds Career Builder account for a short period (approximately 100 days) following the end of your course. If you are a new graduate please follow the 'Final Year Student' process above to convert your student account to graduate access.
If you are a graduate who completed their course between January – December 2023 or later please follow the below steps:
- Log-in to Beds Career Builder (selecting 'Graduate')
- Select sign-up and enter the validation email required along with your personal email address
- Follow the steps on screen/emails sent to you and validate your account
- Once your account is validated go to beds.careercentre.me, select 'Graduate' and 'Log-in' (log-in using the email and password you have used to sign up
If you completed your course before 1 January 2023, please email careers@beds.ac.uk requesting a Beds Career Builder graduate account. A member of the Careers Team will be in contact with you to discuss creating an account and the information required.
Address
Careers & Employability Service
University of Bedfordshire
University Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
Please note that the University of Bedfordshire Careers & Employability Service does not endorse specific employers or organisations linked to the website.
Phone
During office hours
(Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm)
+44 (0)1234 400 400
Outside office hours
(Campus Watch)
+44 (0)1582 743 989
