AMS Eliminates Proposals as Part of Application and Hiring Process

December 8, 2015

KINGSTON, ON—On Thursday, December 3, the Alma Mater Society (AMS) eliminated proposals as a mandatory component of the hiring process for salaried staff and select senior volunteers to be replaced by three open-ended questions designed to better test the applicant’s thought process based on potential instead of experience.
After finding that proposals were the biggest barrier to applying for applicants with minimal AMS experience, this policy change seeks to make AMS hiring more accessible to a broader range of applicants.

Quick Facts:
• Proposals were 3-5 page documents that outlined the applicant’s ideas and initiatives for their desired position.
• The AMS External Hires Focus Group found that proposals were the biggest barrier to applying for applicants with minimal AMS experience.
• Proposals require a high degree of specialized knowledge to write due to very vague requirements, putting applicants with less AMS experience at a severe disadvantage.
• Historically, the content of a proposal does not reflect future success, as the transition process post-hiring provides the necessary training and tools for future staff.
• The three questions that will replace proposals will serve to better guide applicants with all experience levels through the application process.

Quotes:
“Getting rid of lengthy proposals will make it easier for all students to apply for any AMS position. This will level the playing field for all applicants and give students a fairer chance at our positions.” — Eva Kapnoudhis, Talent Acquisition Manager
“The AMS benefits when it can attract world-class students to work in leadership positions, regardless of their previous experience with the Society. Proposals disproportionately advantaged internal applicants, or applicants who knew internal applicants, and this move makes our hiring process more accessible to a broader range of students.” — Kanivanan Chinniah, President

Please direct all media inquiries to Jessamine Luck, AMS Marketing & Communications Officer, at or (613) 533-6000 x75850

BACKGROUNDER
Alma Mater Society (AMS)

The central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University, the AMS represents over 16,000 students and is the oldest student government in Canada. The constituency is represented through 10 faculty and residence societies. The AMS Council, which is made up of a three-person executive, six commissioners, and three directors, oversees all day-to-day activities within the Society, including 10 corporate services and over 50 government committees that address virtually all matters of student life at Queen’s.


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