• Visit Handshake to reserve for interviews
• Select "On-Campus Interviews", then "Request Interview Schedule" in the right hand corner
• Be sure to fill out the form to complete your reservation
• For "School", select "James Madison University"
• "Interview Schedule Name" should include:
  • Organization name
  • Virtual or in-person
  • Type of interview (job, internship, externship, etc.)
  • Example: "James Madison University In-Person Fall 2022 Internships Interview"
• Don't forget to attach jobs/internships/careers to your interview for students to apply

Whether you hold your interviews on-campus or virtually, consider the below best practices for managing your interview schedule to make the most of your recruiting efforts, develop a strong applicant pool, and make a positive impression on JMU students.

Language & Qualifications

Be mindful of the language and qualifications of the positions you have attached to your interview schedule. 

• Specific qualifications may unintentionally hinder your diversity recruitment goals. For example, GPA minimums have a negative impact on students. 
• Consider the language used in your job descriptions, such as using more inclusive language like ‘partner’.
• If you know that your company has an inclusive, robust benefits package that would appeal to LGBTQ+ candidates or candidates with disabilities, highlight those features in your job description language. 
• Many students are actively seeking remote internships and jobs. If your position is remote eligible, check the “allows remote workers” box as you create the position in Handshake, include verbiage in the description to indicate this, and include the words “remote” or “remote eligible” in your position title. 
• Students often use Handshake’s keyword search; which means that your position may not display in their search if you do not include language beyond checking the “allows remote workers” box.
• Expand the majors you're seeking; think instead about the skills you require for a job, not just majors. There are lots of great majors at JMU that would fit what you are looking for.

• Preselect to Alternate: This model allows you to collect primary and alternate student applicants and handle interview sign ups via Handshake. Primary and alternate student choices are selected after the application period. Primaries are allowed to sign up before alternates.
  
  
• Room Only: This model allows you to reserve a room, but you build your own interview schedule outside of Handshake. Each recruiter is responsible for creating their interview schedule and communicating about interview times with their applicants directly. This option is often used for scheduling interviews immediately following career fairs, building an interview schedule from an existing non-interview posting, or creating a less traditional interview schedule format.
  • If you select this model, please email your interview schedule to handshake@jmu.edu before your interviewing date. 
  • You must also schedule all interviews between 8:30am-4:30pm
    
• Virtual Preselect Interviews: This model allows you to collect student applicants and handle interview sign ups via Handshake, then host your actual interview date virtually. Primary and alternate student choices are selected after the application period. Primaries are allowed to sign up before alternates. Once sign ups close, you can then set up and invite students to virtual interviews using an online video communications software, such as Zoom.
• Virtual Room Only Interviews: This model allows you to publish your upcoming interview dates to students, but you plan on using an external system to build your interview schedule.

View the Handshake Employer Help Center’s Interviews section for instructions on How to Post an Interview Schedule to a School, How to Add a Job to an Interview Schedule, How to Edit Your Interview Schedule, and more. 

If you encounter technical difficulties while requesting your interview schedule, email us at handshake@jmu.edu.