$100M+ paid to 100,000+ contributors. Amazon, Tesla, Bloomberg clients. Strong for credentialed professionals — up to $125/hr.
Originally a career platform for college graduates, Handshake launched an AI training division paying $100M+ to 100,000+ contributors. Companies like Amazon, Tesla, and Bloomberg use it to source credentialed workers.
| Role | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Generalist Contributor | $17–$30/hr |
| Research / STEM Expert | $40–$80/hr |
| Law / Medical / Finance | $60–$125/hr |
MOVE applications require credential documentation upfront — professional licences, degree certificates, or employer letters confirming your specialist background. The stronger and more specific your credentials, the faster the matching process. A general MD takes longer to place than an MD with a listed specialisation and sub-specialisation. A CFA charterholder with 10 years equity research takes less time than a "finance professional with CFA." Be as specific as possible from the first application.
MOVE isn't a task queue you browse — project managers contact you with matched opportunities. This means response time matters: contractors who reply to project enquiries within 24 hours get first-mover access to high-value projects. Set up notifications and check your email daily during active project periods.
Yes. Handshake AI (formerly Handshake) has been operating since 2016 with a documented track record in expert matching. The MOVE program specifically targets credentialed professionals and has been used by medical, legal, and financial professionals across the US and EU. Payment processes are contractor-confirmed and the platform has no notable systemic issues. The platform's career transition focus and expert matching model have been profiled positively in Wall Street Journal and CNBC.
Both target verified specialist credentials, but with different structures. Handshake AI's MOVE program assigns a project manager who matches you to opportunities personally — this is slower to start (expect 2-4 weeks before first project) but produces higher-quality matches for rare specialisations. SME Careers uses algorithmic matching that's faster but less personalised. For very specific credentials (niche medical subspecialties, unusual legal areas, rare languages), Handshake AI's human matching outperforms algorithmic systems. For broader specialist backgrounds, SME Careers delivers faster first income.
MOVE program rates range from $40-125/hr depending on credentials and project type. Medical specialists and lawyers with practising credentials typically land at the upper end. Academics and researchers land in the $45-85/hr range. Unlike platforms with fixed task rates, MOVE negotiations mean your first project rate isn't fixed — project managers have real latitude to match you to appropriate compensation. Don't accept a low initial offer without asking whether there's a higher-rate project better suited to your credentials.