The hiring system on this site..., *sigh* Options

[*Uronacid*]

Intro

Alright, first off I'm not bitter about not being hired (even though no-one has been chosen... I'm pretty sure I won't be.). That is not why I'm posting this. I'm posting this so that hopefully, in the future, you guys (the staff) can learn how to avoid all the drama created by your current hiring process. Let's look at the current hiring process:

The CB Hiring Process

On CB we have "Hiring Sessions" this is how they work:

1. CB asks it's members to submit their applications via a public thread, so that all members can view the applications. Members read the applications, and then form biased opinions based upon their current relationship with each member.

2. CB then asks it's members (who do not make any decisions when it comes to the hiring process) to take part in a debate that's in the Lounge, were members inevitably end up bashing each other while trying to defend their reasons for a position on staff. A thread where people place words in others mouths and critique grammar/spelling, in a frantic effort to stomp on the heads of their competitors and gain "popularity" so that they have a better chance of being noticed by the "holy" staff. A passive-aggressive race where people try to act "polite" in an attempt make others look bad. This is a place where personal grudges create biased reviews, and the number of friends you have to back you up will effect how "right" or wrong you really are.

3. CB does this because they believe it will make the hiring process easier for them. Is it a "cream will rise to the top" theory, or is this Darwin's Theory - "survival of the fittest"?

Bad or Good?

Have you ever seen a company's staff post all their applicant's applications on a billboard in front of the company building for all to see, ask for all the applicants to debate and argue with each other over who should get the position, and then sit back and watch as people fight? Let me answer that for you. No, no you haven't, and the only place you will ever see people openly competing for a position like this is on "REALITY TV" shows like the apprentice (which as we all know, isn't very realistic).

There is a reason why real companies/organizations/groups/most websites(excluding CB) don't have hiring sessions like this. It's unfair to the applicants and it makes it more difficult to judge who should and shouldn't get hired.

It's unfair to the applicants. They get to have their applications torn to shreds by people with biased opinions of them. I'll even admit that I do it to. Why not, everyone else does it. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!! WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO IT!!

It's unfair to the Staff. It makes it more difficult for them to make a decision on who is going to get hired. With everyone yelling and screaming at each other, it becomes increasingly difficult for members of staff to decide who's good and who's bad for the position. All of our opinions of each other effect what they think of us. Eventually, a hiring session becomes a popularity contest when it shouldn't be.

Some Q and A

Q: Is CB a democracy?
A: No, for those of you who don't know, they pick and choose who will be hired back stage!

Q: Does it really matter what the members think?
A: Somewhat, a Staff member does need a good understanding of the community and its members, but considering majority of the posts made on this website are done by about 10-15 of it's members... what matters is that we do our jobs when one of us is hired on staff. If someone does a bad job, they can always fire them and hire a new staff member. There are unlimited members of this community just waiting to fill limited staff positions. Has CB ever heard of whats called a PROBATIONARY PERIOD? I guess not, I'll explain...

Probationary Period: Part of the selection process during which an employee new to a position is required to demonstrate fitness for the position by actual performance of the position's duties. Usually during the first couple of weeks that an employee is hired.

Q: Can't we just avoid all of this drama?
A: Yes, we can. We can avoid it, and make CB a more enjoyable environment for all!

HOW CAN WE AVOID THIS SHIT?!

- Applications should be submitted via PM.

- There shouldn't be "hiring sessions". You should be able to submit your application to an administrator at any time, they should store those applications in the back, and hire people when they need them. This would be much easier for the Staff, and there would be a lot less drama on the site.

- They should make a topic with a title like "How to become an CB Staff Member" that lists the positions, what is required for the position, if it needs to be filled, and a template for the application.

My thoughts, if anyone cares...

Should applicants be able to view another applicants application?
NO, for reasons stated above.

Should applicants be able to critique their competitors applications?
NO, for reasons stated above.

Should applicants be able to critique other applicants and give biased reviews, that effect the opinions of both the staff and members?
NO, for reasons stated above.




PS: If you find this offensive at all, I apologize. This is only constructive criticism.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

I honestly don't have the time to completely respond to this at the moment, in all fairness.

However, I just want to quickly say that there is to be NO bashing in this thread. This forum is for feedback and Josh has as much right to provide feedback as anyone else. Critique as you will, but no throwing insults or making personal jabs.

I WILL edit this when I have more time.

Ok, here goes (oh and my quote tags aren't working, so please be patient while reading my response. Josh's remarks should be bolded):
1. CB asks it's members to submit their applications via a public thread, so that all members can view the applications. Members read the applications, and then form biased opinions based upon their current relationship with each member.[/b]
I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that people will form biased opinions. Sure, many of the community members have friends and will of course want to see them succeed in being hired. However, I think that you must consider that even those individuals are capable of forming opinions outside of those biased by personal relationships.
2. CB then asks it's members (who do not make any decisions when it comes to the hiring process) to take part in a debate that's in the Lounge, were members inevitably end up bashing each other while trying to defend their reasons for a position on staff. A thread where people place words in others mouths and critique grammar/spelling, in a frantic effort to stomp on the heads of their competitors and gain "popularity" so that they have a better chance of being noticed by the "holy" staff. A passive-aggressive race where people try to act "polite" in an attempt make others look bad. This is a place where personal grudges create biased reviews, and the number of friends you have to back you up will effect how "right" or wrong you really are.
Again, I think you might be stereotyping here. You shouldn’t let isolated incidents affect your overall opinion of the hiring process. Having said that, you are entitled to your opinion. I just think that you should ask yourself if you, yourself are having a personal bias against this process because you’ve been in certain, how should I put this, debates? Yeah, debates is fair. Also, with all due respect, I’m not sure where this “holy” staff comes from. I believe that we are pretty fair individuals and that we treat everyone here with respect. Sure, we’ll make misjudgments, but that’s a general mishap shared by the human race. Also, if you read through that entire thread you might have noticed that I pointed out something to the effect of not pretending to be someone you are not. I appreciate your concern regarding those who will back others and such, however, you are very much generalizing the community as a whole. Perhaps try to respond to them in a manner that is calm, collected and respond with legitimate reasons why you would disagree. I’ve had more than my fair share of debates with people, but in the end we’ve all come to the conclusion that when we stop arguing and start communicating, we’re all the better for it.
3. CB does this because they believe it will make the hiring process easier for them. Is it a "cream will rise to the top" theory, or is this Darwin's Theory - "survival of the fittest"?

Bad or Good?
How exactly is this survival of the fittest? The cream will rise to the top isn’t necessarily completely off the mark though. We’re talking about a hiring session here. We’re talking about finding those who are qualified, dedicated and wanting to do a good job for the sake of cB. Of course the cream will rise to the top.

Also, this process is less than easier for us. If we were to all get together and decide, without letting people decide for themselves whether or not they’d like to apply it would be immensely less difficult of a process. But that’s not how we work. We WANT you guys to have a chance and we WANT the community to have input because after all, the staff is here for the community.

<skipping the entire next part because of a) time and b) I think it’s just reiterating what you’ve already said>

Some Q and A
Q: Is CB a democracy?
A: No, for those of you who don't know, they pick and choose who will be hired back stage!
First off, I’d like to know exactly why it is you think you know exactly what it is happening backstage. But that’s a whole other discussion.

Second, we do choose, but we absolutely consider what is being said in the community. Why else would we have a discussion in The Lounge?

Q: Does it really matter what the members think?
A: No, considering majority of the posts made on this website are done by about 10-15 of it's members... what matters is that we do our jobs when one of us is hired on staff. If someone does a bad job, they can always fire them and hire a new staff member. There are unlimited members of this community just waiting to fill limited staff positions. Has CB ever heard of whats called a PROBATIONARY PERIOD? I guess not, I'll explain...

Probationary Period: Part of the selection process during which an employee new to a position is required to demonstrate fitness for the position by actual performance of the position's duties. Usually during the first couple of weeks that an employee is hired.
You do realize that I’ve been in the workforce for over 15 years right? Yeah. I’m well aware of what a probationary period is and I’m fairly certain many of the community members do as well. I understand that you’re just making it clear what it is you are referring to, just saying.. we know the definition. ;)

Also, as I’m sure you very well know at this point, we do take disciplinary actions if a staff member isn’t doing their job, isn’t regularly active (ie takes an excessive amount of absences) and breaks the rules. While this doesn’t always result in a firing (and sometimes it does), there is definite consequences when you are given the responsibility of a staff member and fail to abide by what I’ve mentioned in my first sentence.
Q: Can't we just avoid all of this drama?
A: Yes, we can. We can avoid it, and make CB a more enjoyable environment for all!
You can’t avoid all drama. Afterall, this is a very exciting time and sometimes one could get carried away. However, I just don’t agree that this hiring session is exclusively about drama.

HOW CAN WE AVOID THIS SHIT?!

Honey, why oh why are you cussing when you’ve sent me PMs complaining about others doing do so AND complain about being warned because you don’t? I’m not bashing, I’m asking.

- Applications should be submitted via PM.
Not a terrible idea, they do not have to be posted in-thread. However, it helps us as far as receiving input from the Community.

- There shouldn't be "hiring sessions". You should be able to submit your application to an administrator at any time, they should store those applications in the back, and hire people when they need them. This would be much easier for the Staff, and there would be a lot less drama on the site.
No, we really shouldn’t. We don't like having quick turn arounds and this is a way to help avoid that as much as possible. Also, it's refreshing this way to have a influx of new staffers, get them used to being a staffer. It helps them all grow together and helps us form a more solid moderator team.

Also, hiring is not a wham bam you're hired and thank you ma'am type of process. We simply wouldn't have the time to keep it up.

- They should make a topic with a title like "How to become an CB Staff Member" that lists the positions, what is required for the position, if it needs to be filled, and a template for the application.
There is a thread that lists the moderator functions, one could easily go there. I’ll find the link in a sec. I don’t believe in templates. This is first and foremost a blogging site and you guys should be well beyond the creativity of just following a template. Use your own mind, tell us in your owns words why you believe you are the one for the job.

My thoughts, if anyone cares...


Should applicants be able to view another applicants application?
NO, that's stupid.

Should applicants be able to critique their competitors applications?
NO, that's stupid.

Should applicants be able to critique other applicants and give biased reviews, that effect the opinions of both the staff and members?
NO, that's stupid.
Again, why the “NO, that’s stupid.” remark? That just isn’t a good way to communicate. It isn’t at all stupid, you just simply don’t agree with our methods.

PS: If you find this offensive at all, I apologize. This is only constructive criticism.
No need to apologize for having opinions. :)