The Interfolio Blog

Think about the last time you were involved in a faculty search process.  Was it efficient …?  When you think of this process, do the words efficient, convenient and easy as pie come to mind?

Um, no, you say?  Well, you're not alone.

We've recently spoken with dozens of academic departments about their search committee processes. Here are some of the pains they tell us about.  Do any of these sound familiar?

• "We get application materials at different times and in different formats"
• "We manually enter candidate information into a spreadsheet"
• "We make copies or scan materials for search committee members"
• "It takes a lot of time to track when a candidate's application is complete"
• "It's often difficult to send timely follow up to applicants"
• "Search committee members must share access to paper files"
• "Responding to calls & inquiries from applicants takes time"
• "HR wants us to use their all-in-one system, but it doesn't fit our needs"

Equally troubling is the experience of the applicants:

• "I often don't get an acknowledgement that my application has been received"
• "I have to ask my recommendation writers to submit letters online for every job I apply to"

Not to mention the legitimate grumbling from recommendation writers:

• " I'm bombarded with more online letter submission requests than ever"

Yes, faculty search is typically fraught with inefficiencies. One department that decided to do something about it is the Department of English at Rutgers University (New Brunswick).

Over the past few faculty searches, Quionne Matchett, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Chair, realized she needed a better solution for collecting application materials. “The faculty search process was time consuming and there was so much paper involved. We had updated to new technology in many other areas, so I knew there had to be a better processes out there.”

In order to save time and money, the Rutgers English Department began to look for a new way manage faculty application materials.  They knew that Interfolio was a system already well-regarded by their graduate students applying for jobs.  Ultimately they decided to use Interfolio to collect application materials electronically. It would be free for the English Department, and applicants would pay a nominal fee.

The results were excellent.  Everyone was extremely pleased:  “With Interfolio, all of the application materials are digital and our search committee can review them in their office or even at home, at any time…  the new process is a much better fit for our faculty.”

Click on the image to enlarge

We are happy to have helped Quionne and the English Department at Rutgers by giving them:

• One online location for all application materials and data;
• All data and documents are neatly organized, tracked, and accessible;
• Email follow up with candidates is a breeze;
• Easy status tracking;
• Virtually eliminates calls from job candidates;
• Search Committee members can evaluate applications at their convenience;
• Interfolio's central dossier delivery service saves time for Applicants and Writers too;
• Easy reporting to HR, including EEO data;

Interfolio gives search committees an easy tool to collect, view, track and evaluate all application documents electronically from a single location. It streamlines faculty hiring, and is a great user experience for everyone involved.