Safe practices researching employers
Whether you pursue an employment opportunity through Handshake or any other forum, you are responsible for performing due diligence in researching employers when applying for or accepting employment and for thoroughly researching the facts and reputation of each organization.
Recommended Internet Resources
- LinkedIn – Use the Jobs > Search feature to find companies of interest based on Industry, Job Function, Job Title, and Location.
- Glassdoor.com – Get insider information on over 100,000 companies, including company salaries, reviews and interview questions.
- Dun & Bradstreet (formerly Hoovers Online) – Gather industry information, as well as information on private, public, IPO, subsidiary and non-US companies.
- CareerOneStop – Use the Business Finder to search a 12 million-company database by Industry, Occupation, and Region.
Avoiding Fraudulent Jobs and Scams
If you’ve never heard of an employer organization before, or if the job opportunity seems too good to be true:
- Search the internet for the company name to see if they have a legitimate website. If they do not, before you submit a resume, contact them if possible to request more details about what the company does, where it is located, how many employees it has, and ask for a link to their website
- Also search the internet for the company name plus the word “scam”. If the employment opportunity is fraudulent, this is a good way to find out.
- Refer to Berkeley’s Information Security Office on avoiding email employment scams.
- Report any suspicious emails directly to phishing@berkeley.edu
- If the listing is for an unpaid internship, read the Department of Labor’s policies on unpaid Internships (PDF) to see if the position seems to comply.
Berkeley Career Engagement Recruiting Principles, Policies and Practices
Non-Discrimination Policy
Berkeley Career Engagement welcomes all Equal Opportunity Employers. The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and University policy, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized).
Preselection Screening Policies
There is no GPA screening via Handshake, given the wide variance of reporting formats and interpretations on the Berkeley campus. However, this information may be included in employer job qualifications as a point of information for potential candidates. Students should consider any employer GPA preferences before submitting resumes. Some employers may also request unofficial grade reports or student transcripts to verify academic performance.
Release Authorization
By completing the Handshake registration form and uploading an online resume, students are providing Berkeley Career Engagement authorization to release employment materials to prospective employers. Students are expected to accurately represent their qualifications and interests in all information provided to Berkeley Career Engagement for this purpose (resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts).
Complaint Procedures
If you believe an employer is fraudulent or has not conformed with Berkeley Career Engagement Recruiting Principles, Policies and Practices, contact Employer Relations.