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Hiring Process

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Aims Uses a Fair and Equitable Hiring Process for Every Candidate

The hiring process at Aims Community College is designed to be objective, fair and equitable from start to finish. To accommodate this process of due diligence and group decision making, the timeline for hiring full-time employees is longer than what is typical for positions in the private sector. The hiring timeline for full-time positions at Aims can run 45 days or longer

Visit the Aims Careers page to see current featured positions and learn more about all that Aims has to offer to employees.

View all open positions here.

Overview of the Hiring Process for Full-Time Employees

After you apply for a position at Aims, a specific hiring process is implemented. To give you an idea of what to expect, here is an overview of this process with approximate timing.

While a position is still open, a hiring committee led by a search chair is formed. Each hiring committee consists of three to seven members.

Ideally, each hiring committee includes a mix of peers, supervisors, customers and stakeholders outside the department or division and someone who performs similar duties. 

The search chair is also charged with ensuring that each hiring committee is diverse in: 

  • Gender
  • Race
  • Age
  • Status
  • Perspective
  • Departments and work areas
  • Type of job
     

After applying for a position, a review process begins 48 hours after the job posting closes. The recruiting team and the hiring chair compare each applicant’s information to ensure it meets the requirements listed for the position. This review process determines who will be interviewed for the role.

Two to three days after the minimum qualification review, a one-hour hiring committee charge meeting takes place. During the charge meeting, the search chair is responsible for covering the following: 

  • Position responsibilities
  • Essential characteristics of a successful candidate
  • Criteria by which applicants will be evaluated to determine who to interview

The hiring committee then applies objective criteria to rank each candidate to determine who will be interviewed. This ensures an objective, fair and equitable hiring process for each candidate.

As the name implies, the hiring committee holds a ranking meeting to determine who will be interviewed from among the pool of applicants. With help from a recruiter, the committee discusses and determines who to interview based on the ranking scores for each candidate in the pool.

The timing of ranking meetings for a given position varies depending on the number of applicants:

  • <14 applicants: one week
  • 15+ applicants: two weeks

Once the search committee has selected candidates to be interviewed, interviews are scheduled one to two weeks after the ranking meeting. If you don’t have to travel for the interview, this timeline will be closer to one week. The search committee will ask a set of interview questions prepared based on group consensus and additional questions that are required by Aims in every interview.

Depending on the role for which you’re applying, a second interview may be required.

Depending on the role, a second interview may be required. If selected to move on in the process, you will be contacted with information about scheduling a second interview.

You will receive either an email or a phone call to let you know whether you were selected for a position, with information about next steps for onboarding at Aims.

Tips for Applying for a Position at Aims Community College

Thank you for your interest in working at Aims. To be considered for an interview, it’s important to provide a thorough and complete application. 

Here are some tips for filling out your application. 

"Work Experience" Instructions

  1. Be sure to clearly document all responsibilities, qualifications and essential job duties from prior positions. We evaluate your experience based on this information.
  2. For each employment experience listed in the "Work Experience" section of the application, clearly outline the dates of employment and hours worked per week or credit hours worked per term.
  3. For each prior position, share whether it was part time (less than 40 hours per week) or full time (40 or more hours per week).
  4. Be sure to upload all required documents listed at the bottom of the job description. If you don’t include all required documents, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered further.

Submitting a Resume

As part of your application process, you will need to submit a resume.

Here is an example of a resume format featuring the Aims mascot, Arty the Aardvark. 

Writing Your Diversity Statement

Aims Community College recognizes and celebrates the diversity of all students, faculty and staff. We are committed to equity and inclusion to improve the learning experiences of all students and the working conditions of all employees.

As you consider what to include in your statement, please note that Aims is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, or any other protected class.

Here are things to consider when completing the diversity statement portion of your job application:

  1. Share your interpretation of what it means to serve a diverse community and work in an inclusive environment. 
  2. Include specific examples demonstrating how your background, education and professional experience prepared you to fulfill those responsibilities in this position.
  3. Share as much as you feel comfortable your experiences overcoming obstacles as a member of a marginalized community. 
    1. If you are not a member of a marginalized group, acknowledge your privilege where relevant.
  4. Include relevant details about how you have helped students or colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve success.
  5. Share how you believe your experiences and knowledge relate to the Aims mission, vision, and values.

Here are some more tips and insights for writing an effective diversity statement from Inside Higher Ed.

Tips for Interviewing for a Position at Aims Community College

  1. Answer questions as completely as possible, referencing the position description and interview questions as needed.
  2. Tie your experience to the role you’re seeking to fill.
  3. Research the college to better target your responses to interview questions.
  4. Make sure to ask questions at the end of the interview 

Video Interview Preparation

  1. Check connectivity and network strength a few minutes before the interview to avoid technical difficulties.
  2. Use an Ethernet connection if possible for optimal connectivity.
  3. To avoid distractions during the interview, select a quiet, professional setting for the video interview. 
  4. Strive to look at the camera instead of the screen.
  5. Use headphones if possible to prevent audio feedback on either side of the connection.