Comparison
Prentus vs. Handshake: Which Does Your Institution Need?
The short answer: probably both. Handshake connects students to job postings. Prentus prepares them to actually land those jobs - and proves it with verified outcomes data.
What each platform does best
Handshake
- Job posting marketplace
- Employer-student connections
- Virtual career fairs
- Campus recruiting tools
- Student profiles for employers
Prentus
- AI Career Advisor (24/7 personalized guidance)
- AI Mock Interviews (voice-based practice)
- AI Resume Builder (instant scoring)
- Automated outcome tracking (LinkedIn integration)
- Lifelong alumni career support
Better Together
Handshake gets students to the job posting. Prentus gets them hired.
Handshake is excellent at connecting students with employers and job postings. But getting the interview is only half the battle. Students need preparation: resume optimization, interview practice, career coaching, and ongoing support. That's where Prentus fills the gap.
- Students find jobs on Handshake, prepare for them on Prentus
- Prentus tracks outcomes that Handshake doesn't measure
- AI career advising scales where human advisors can't
Feature comparison
The Missing Piece
Handshake tracks applications. Prentus tracks results.
Federal OBBBA legislation now requires demonstrated career outcomes. Handshake can tell you who applied. Prentus tells you who got hired - automatically, via LinkedIn integration, without chasing alumni for surveys.
Your verified outcomes data becomes your most powerful enrollment marketing tool.
“We used Handshake for job postings but had no way to prove outcomes. Prentus solved that overnight.”
What happens when institutions add Prentus
3x
Student engagement vs. Handshake alone
$617K
Annual savings (Fullstack Academy)
54%
Faster time-to-hire
Common questions
Do I need to replace Handshake to use Prentus?
No. Most institutions use both. Handshake handles job postings and employer connections. Prentus handles career preparation, AI advising, and outcome tracking. They complement each other.
What does Prentus do that Handshake doesn't?
AI career advising (24/7), AI mock interviews, AI resume building, automated LinkedIn outcome tracking, OBBBA compliance, and lifelong alumni support.
Can Prentus integrate with Handshake?
Prentus is a standalone platform with its own job tracking. Students can use Handshake for finding jobs and Prentus for preparing and tracking outcomes.
What if we want to consolidate to one platform?
Some institutions, like Fullstack Academy, consolidated from 4+ tools to Prentus alone and saved $617K annually. Book a demo to discuss your specific situation.
Book a demo for pricingSee how Prentus complements your career services stack
Whether you use Handshake, 12Twenty, or manual processes, Prentus adds AI-powered career advising and automated outcome tracking. See it in action.