Why should I use online application delivery through Inside Higher Ed rather than asking applicants to apply directly on my own Web site?

The most compelling reason is that Inside Higher Ed can deliver ALL application documents electronically, not just the data that can be entered into an online form or database. But there are lots of benefits to online applications through Inside Higher Ed:
* No paper to copy, file or transcribe
* All applications come nicely organized as Adobe PDF files so, if you want or need paper copies, you may download and print your applications easily
* Complete candidate information is available to all members of a search committee at the same time
* You can easily post comments for other members to view
* Communication with candidates (everything from “we’ve received your application” to “we won’t be offering you a job” to “here’s our offer") can be managed online so the search committee knows which candidates have received what
And candidates love the fact that creating their portfolio once allows them to apply for jobs at any institution. That’s why nearly 500 new portfolios are added every month.

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How many individuals are currently maintaining portfolios, and able to apply online?

More than 25,000 portfolios reside in the database, and more than half of those have been used to send at least one application in the last year.

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Can I require applicants to submit their materials online?

When you post jobs, you’ll be asked for your preferred delivery method. By choosing only electronic (rather than paper, or paper and electronic), you’ll receive only electronic applications from portfolio holders who apply via Inside Higher Ed. If you wish to receive all applications electronically, you’ll have to require candidates to apply via your posting on Inside Higher Ed. Candidates who’ve already built their online portfolios will simply click to submit their designated documents. Candidates who’ve yet to create portfolios will be guided through the process of building their online portfolio. For the time being, this service is free to candidates.

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What happens when candidates who don’t have portfolios want to apply?

For many academics these days, applying online isn’t just an option, it’s their preference. But we realize that this will be a new experience for some, and that’s why we’ve created instructions in geek-free language to help people out. And we have a help desk as well. But you know your pool and your goals better than we do. While we think there are real advantages in online delivery, you don’t need to require it unless you want to. And if you do require it, and run into problems, you can change the requirement in a matter of seconds. And in much the same way that search committees may decide to be flexible about an application deadline, you may decide in some circumstances to accept a few paper applications. The decisions are all yours.

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Besides a Web browser, do I need any special software to view online applications?

Applications are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, so if you don’t already have a program that can view PDFs, you should download the free Acrobat Reader_ from Adobe. If you run on either Mac or UNIX platforms, you have PDF viewing capability built right in to your operating system.

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How do I enable my entire search committee to access the online applications for a job posting?

When you choose the online (electronic) delivery method, you’ll be asked to provide the e-mail addresses of all individuals you want allowed access to the applications. Inside Higher Ed will check our files to make sure everyone you’ve assigned is a registered recruiter with Inside Higher Ed. Those who are will receive an e-mail from Inside Higher Ed giving them clear instructions for accessing the applications for your search. In cases where members of your committee are NOT already registered recruiters with Inside Higher Ed, we’ll provide the text of an e-mail for you to send inviting them to register to gain access to the applications. We realize some search committees expand in size during a search — when that happens, you can register additional search committee members.

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Can data from online applications be imported to my HRIS or ATS database?

In addition to the documents in PDF form that comprise candidate portfolios, Inside Higher Ed collects name, address and other contact information. We can provide a comma delimited text data file of this data that you can import into a variety of HRIS or ATS systems. The cost of providing such an export depends on the scope of the data required. Send an e-mail to recruit@insidehighered.com letting us know you’re interested in a data export and we’ll get in touch to discuss your particular needs.

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Can you provide demographic information about applicants to my opening?

Inside Higher Ed asks users of our Confidential Portfolio and Document Management services to volunteer information about their race/ethnicity, gender and handicap status. We can report this demographic data for a set of applicants to a specific job opening, but only in the aggregate. We will not provide demographic information for a set of fewer than 10 applications. These reports are by request only — we do not have an automated reporting function for demographic data.

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How does online application delivery work?

Through a creative partnership with the online portfolio-management company Interfolio, Inside Higher Ed can deliver all the documents you require for job applications — cover letters, CVs, writing samples, even confidential letters of recommendation and transcripts — via a secure Web interface. Candidates create and manage their professional portfolios through Inside Higher Ed. When applying, they simply assemble a set of documents and “send” them to the employer. The documents in fact continue to reside in the Interfolio database but a special view is created so you — and your entire search committee — can access responses to a specific listing.

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What is Interfolio?

Interfolio is the Web’s only online portfolio management service for academics. Chosen by many top colleges to manage their student and alumni credentials, Interfolio manages more than 25,000 full professional portfolios. Last year Interfolio sent more than 60,000 application packets.

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How does Interfolio ensure the integrity of online portfolios?

A strong feature of Interfolio’s service is the security surrounding credentials. Encryption technology allows Interfolio to tightly control who has access to the data in its online portfolios. Some highlights:
* Verisign SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption is used to ensure strong encryption at the web-server level.
* A comprehensive rights management system validates a user’s access to information and ensures that unauthorized individuals cannot view confidential documents.
* Multiple levels of encryption are in place at the database level, protecting stored information from unauthorized access.
* Each individual — whether applicant, recommendation writer or search committee member — has a unique username and password.
* Interfolio carefully selects and manages its staff to ensure that all employees strictly protect the confidentiality and security of the documents and data it stores.

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How do Interfolio and Inside Higher Ed work together?

To make it simple for our users, the entire job service is on the Inside Higher Ed site, including the view of candidate portfolios that constitutes online applications — there’s no jumping back and forth between Inside Higher Ed and Interfolio. However, candidates’ documents actually reside in the Interfolio database, behind Interfolio’s excellent security and with Interfolio’s outstanding customer service for document management.

To encourage candidates to make their portfolios available for online applications, Inside Higher Ed is covering Interfolio’s usual fee for creating and maintaining portfolios. There is no charge to candidates for applying to jobs electronically, via Inside Higher Ed.

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Do I have to pay for online application delivery?

Online application delivery is included in the price of your job postings. There’s no additional charge.

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