To delete a document on Handshake, go to My Documents from your account menu, open the document, click Actions, then Edit, and hit the Delete button in the lower-left corner. The whole process takes about 30 seconds, but there are a few things worth knowing before you hit that button, especially if the document is attached to any active applications.
Step-by-Step Deletion
Here’s the exact path to remove a resume, cover letter, transcript, or any other file from your Handshake profile:
- Click your account icon in the upper-right corner of Handshake, then select My Documents from the dropdown.
- Find the document you want to remove and click its name to open it.
- Click the Actions button in the upper-right corner, then select Edit.
- On the editing page, click the Delete button in the lower-left corner.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click the red Delete button to confirm.
Once it’s done, you’ll see a small notification in the lower-right corner of the page confirming the document was deleted successfully.
What Happens to Submitted Applications
Deleting a document from your profile does not delete it from any job applications you’ve already submitted. If an employer received your resume as part of an application last week, they still have access to it even after you delete the file from your account. The deletion only prevents you from attaching that document to future applications.
If you need to actually remove a document from an application an employer can see, the only option is to withdraw the entire application. You can’t swap out a single attachment on a submitted application without pulling it back. If the posting is still open and accepting applications, you could withdraw and resubmit with the correct document, but keep in mind that some positions may not allow resubmission after withdrawal.
Making a Document Private Instead
If you don’t want to permanently delete a file but just want to limit who can see it, you can set it to private instead. Private documents can still be attached to specific job applications, but they won’t be visible to employers browsing your profile. Only the employer you send it to and your school’s Career Services Center can view a private document.
To change visibility, follow the same path: account icon, My Documents, click the document name, then Actions, then Edit. On the editing page, uncheck the box next to “Public” and click Save. This is a good option if you have an older version of your resume you might need for a reference but don’t want recruiters stumbling across it.
Deleting on Mobile
Handshake’s mobile app has a more limited interface than the desktop site. If you’re having trouble finding the Actions or Edit buttons on your phone, open Handshake in your mobile browser instead of the app and request the desktop version of the site. From there, the steps are identical to the desktop process described above. This workaround is the most reliable way to manage documents when you’re not at a computer.