How to post a job and work effectively in Interfolio:
Interfolio is the system through which we ensure consistent, fair and legal recruitment practices at UW.
Start here for information on posting ads through Interfolio, and to access multiple Interfolio user guides.
Work with your Academic Human Resources specialist early and often to make sure that the Interfolio job posting process proceeds smoothly with a clear timeline.
Here is a list of requirements and reminders to help you avoid some common reasons why Interfolio ads are sent back for revision before being approved.
Interfolio divides posted job ads into three major sections: Position Description, Qualifications, and Instructions.
Position Description
Describe the specific position, hiring unit (e.g., department/division), and university.
Use inclusive, inviting language that will appeal to a broad range of applicants.
Highlight why your department/division would be a great place to work.
Describe potential collaborators across UW and SoM; for example, research centers, outreach programs, and/or faculty development resources.
A word of caution about “preferences”: The Department of Labor will consider all education, experience, skills, and qualifications listed in the job posting to be requirements, even if the advertisement says they are “preferred” or “ideal” or otherwise not a minimum qualification.
Preferences for the position should be rewritten as anticipated job duties in the Position Description, or otherwise listed under Qualifications.
Qualifications
State the minimum qualifications for the position (e.g., minimum degree(s), required experiences or training, etc.).
Applicant Instructions
Describe the materials you want applicants to submit for review, and make sure these align with your assessment criteria (see “Assessment”).
All applicants for faculty positions are required to submit 3 items: a cover letter (letter of interest), CV, and diversity statement.
These materials should be discussed by the search committee early in the search process. Depending on the specific field or subfield, as well as the academic rank of the position, application materials may also include: a research statement; a teaching philosophy statement; a sample of scholarship; a specified number of letters of recommendation or a specified number of names and contact information for potential references.
Diversity Statements
Faculty Search Committees are required under the UW Faculty Code to request a statement that describes the applicant’s past and planned contributions to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their professional roles. The diversity statement should not seek information about protected characteristics, nor should it ask how the applicant would contribute to diversity based on their identity/identities or protected characteristics.
The diversity statement is a relatively new genre—both for the applicants who need to write them and for the hiring committees who need to assess them. The statement is intended to be “part of a comprehensive evaluation of scholarship and research, teaching, and service” (UW Faculty Code Chapter 24-32) and should not be used on its own for assessment purposes. It is helpful to provide a concise prompt that asks for the kinds of information the committee wants and that offers clear parameters for the writer (e.g., a word or page limit). This is an example of a prompt asking for a diversity statement that aligns with the UW Civil Rights Compliance Office’s Human Resources and Employment Practices Checklist:
“The University of Washington is committed to creating a community where individuals from all backgrounds and experiences have equal opportunities to participate, succeed, and feel a sense of belonging. We request that each applicant write a statement about their experiences in helping to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for research, teaching, mentoring, and/or service. In a 1-page statement, the applicant should detail their experiences or plans for supporting the success of students from all backgrounds.”
If you have questions about the specific language for these kinds of prompts, please consult your Academic HR representative.
See below (“Assessment”) for a sample rubric to assess diversity statements.
Required Language in Job Postings
Official University of Washington statements will be appended to all job advertisements posted through Interfolio. These statements address the university’s status as an Equal Opportunity employer and its commitment to diversity. These statements also provide links to the university’s privacy notice, information about benefits, and information about disability services. You can find more information here.