What is document management?

OK, this one really IS the best thing since sliced bread. Inside Higher Ed has teamed up with Interfolio, the Web’s only online portfolio management service for academics, to offer online credentials management. From a simple resume and cover letter to a dossier that includes complex documents like CVs, dissertation chapters, even transcripts and confidential letters of recommendation, your complete credential file is at your fingertips. Get the details on how Interfolio manages your documents at http://interfolio.com/fh_overview.html

Once you have an online portfolio, you can use it to apply for jobs posted on Inside Higher Ed at no charge. You can even send paper applications using your online portfolio (there is a reasonable fee associated with paper deliveries).

Your portfolio has many uses beyond applying for jobs. Submitting documents to support tenure review, proposals, or publications is as simple as applying for jobs. Say goodbye to Kinko’s forever.

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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 — including confidential letters of recommendation, dissertation chapters, writing samples, you name it. Last year Interfolio sent more than 60,000 application packets to thousands of colleges and universities. Find out more at http://interfolio.com

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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 document management and online application. You don’t have to move back and forth between IHE and Interfolio. However, your documents actually reside in the Interfolio database, behind Interfolio’s excellent security and with Interfolio’s outstanding customer service for document management. For now, Inside Higher Ed is covering the fee for creating and maintaining your portfolio — there’s no charge to you. And when you apply for jobs electronically, via Inside Higher Ed, there’s no delivery charge.

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What if I already have an Interfolio portfolio?

Once you’ve registered with Inside Higher Ed, you can link your Interfolio portfolio to your Inside Higher Ed dashboard. Just go to the Manage Documents tab and enter your existing Interfolio username and password in the form provided. Click the “link” button and you’ll be able to access your documents through your Inside Higher Ed dashboard , and apply for jobs you find on the site.

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How do I create an online portfolio of my documents?

The first step is to register with Inside Higher Ed. Then go to the Manage Documents tab on your dashboard and click on Create Account. You’ll be taken through an easy, step-by-step process to create your portfolio. If you need help, Interfolio maintains an extensive Help file at http://interfolio.com.

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What sorts of documents can I include in my portfolio?

Just about any kind of document can be uploaded to your portfolio. Word processing files, spreadsheets, presentations like PowerPoint, graphics, and others. A list of the 50 file formats Interfolio accepts is available from the Interfolio Help Desk at http://interfolio.com

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How do I add documents like transcripts and letters of recommendation that come from someone else?

There are two extra steps for adding documents that come from third parties. First, you have to provide a cover sheet to be sent with the document. Second, the document will be “pending” until it arrives, when we’ll send you an e-mail. Here’s the step-by-step process:

On your Manage Documents tab, click the link to Add a Document. You’ll be presented with a list of document types. Choose Transcript or Letter of Recommendation. Name your document and choose “send later.” For a letter of recommendation you’ll also be asked whether you wish to waive access to the document.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, a second browser window will open and display the cover sheet you’ll need to provide your recommender, or the registrar’s office. (The cover sheet form can be printed to be mailed or faxed, or e-mailed.) The transcript or letter of recommendation is returned to Interfolio with this sheet and uploaded to your portfolio. The cover sheet is very important — without it, the letter or transcript can’t be matched to your account.

Documents coming from third parties will be tagged “pending” until they are uploaded to your portfolio. You’ll receive an e-mail once the document arrives and is added to your portfolio.

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How do I use my online portfolio to apply for jobs?

Just click the “Apply Now” link at the bottom of a job posting and you’ll be walked through a series of simple steps to assemble and send your application documents. Once you’ve assembled your documents, you’ll have a chance to review the complete packet before hitting the “send” button. Once you hit send, your documents are immediately available to the recruiter or search committee.

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How do I keep track of applications I’ve sent?

Each time you apply for a job through Inside Higher Ed, the job is added to the My Jobs tab on your dashboard, along with a link to the documents you provided with the application.

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What do I do if I have a problem with my portfolio?

Interfolio maintains an extensive Help file accessible through http://interfolio.com. If you don’t find the answers you need online, please call Interfolio at 1-877-773-6546, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Be sure to mention that you’re a portfolio holder through Inside Higher Ed.

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