These come directly from Handshake AI's own stated policies and guidance, not general job-search advice.
Mistake 1: Applying From an Ineligible Location
The single biggest mistake: applying without US-based work authorization (official legal permission to work in a specific country). This is a hard eligibility (the specific rules that decide who is allowed to apply) gate, not something a strong application can work around.
Mistake 2: Skipping Onboarding Before the Assessment
Handshake AI's own guidance explicitly recommends completing all training modules and onboarding materials before starting a project's Assessment. Skipping ahead hurts your results.
Mistake 3: Rushing the Assessment
Handshake AI states you should set aside uninterrupted time and not rush — Assessments are evaluated carefully, and hurried submissions are more likely to fail.
Mistake 4: Assuming STEM OPT Qualifies
Mistake 5: Giving Up After Not Being Matched Immediately
Not being matched right away doesn't mean rejection — your profile stays active. Some applicants incorrectly assume no immediate match means they were declined and stop checking back.
Final Thoughts
Most of these mistakes are avoidable simply by reading Handshake AI's own stated rules carefully — starting with the eligibility requirement, which is the one that matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Articles on this platform are researched, written and reviewed by the TTA ACADEMY team — a group of trainers, mentors, quality specialists and remote-work consultants supporting learners in AI, freelancing, vendor qualification and remote career development.
View Team ProfileReferences & Sources
We link only to official websites, government portals, research papers, official documentation, academic publications, industry reports and vendor documentation.
- Handshake AI Fellowship — Handshake Inc. · Official Website
- Assessments on Handshake AI — Handshake Inc. · Official Help Center
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