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.

[*I Shot JFK*]

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: 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.

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

I fail to see the inevitability of this. In fact, this is the first hiring session where I've seen any real bashing. Fault of the members, not the system.


The reason why applications are posted publically is because this job involves a great deal of interaction with the members themselves. It is therefore essential that the moderators have the respect of the members. An unpopular mod will not be capable of leading, which is where the critique aspect comes into play. Likewise, i challenge the idea that member commentary makes it more difficult on the mods making the decision, as it provides insight into the community opinion, which,like it or not, is an important factor when determining an applicant's suitability. Furthermore, if an applicant IS bashing, then it is a display of their true colours, and can only help the mods to know what they are really like.

No, it is not usual for company's to make heir applications public, but Cb is not a company. It is a social network, which needs leaders who are respected and liked.

I will illustrate with an example from Cb's past, before the members' commentary thread was introduced. A member named Dani (not to be confused with Libertie) was appointed to People Staff, over many who were considered to be better candidates by the community. The direct result of this was the closest thing Cb has seen to a riot, and was swiftly followed by one of the biggest falings out between mods and members ever, the Cb Revolution. The reason for this was that mods refused to explain the motivations behind hiring Dani over others. Secrecy in Createblog hirings doesn't work.

Furthermore, the ability to accept criticism is an important part of being a mod, and the members' thread allows for potential mods to have this tested. If they can accept constructive criticism while applying, it is likely that they will be able to do so while on staff.

It absolutely does. A mod who is not respected and reasonably well-liked will not be sucessful, unless they are exceptional, and not all mods have been.

The hiring sessions aid with the transparency issu which i have already addressed. i would also observe that when Krista and Arjuna (I think it was you, please correct me if I'm wrong) were appointed to staff without a hiring session, it caused a great deal of commentary among members, as many could not understand why this had occured. Although Arjuna especially proved o be a strong mod, it could easily have not been the case, and resentment would have resulted.

I would define what you see as bias as honesty. If a member has constantly irritated the other members, or demonstrated immaturity, or whatever, and his/her application is not well recieved, that is not bias. It is honesty and experience talking. The members don't want this person on staff, and therefore will not like it if they are hired. Simple as that. The title is People Staff. Staff of the People. Therefore, the people need a say.

Oh, and i also agree with Kara about the potential consequences of applying whenever. If a member who would be a strong mod is not accpeted to staff because there are enough staffers, it could be interpreted as flat out rejection, and result in them not applying later on, when they would be needed.

Or, if their application was put 'on hold' as it were, their activity levels could fluctuate/they could no longer be interested, etc. The hiring session generates a burst of excitment, and get's current members and old members (witness the current range of applications) are drawn to apply.

[Simba]

The hiring sessions aid with the transparency issu which i have already addressed. i would also observe that when Krista and Arjuna (I think it was you, please correct me if I'm wrong) were appointed to staff without a hiring session, it caused a great deal of commentary among members, as many could not understand why this had occured. Although Arjuna especially proved o be a strong mod, it could easily have not been the case, and resentment would have resulted.

Yes James, it was Krista and myself. And thank you.

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).

Right. One might compare cB hiring a member as a company employing someone. However, I'm going to agree with James when he was talking about the People Staff being the "Staff of the People." Personally, I would think it more like when a country is electing its leaders. The citizens (members) know all of the candidates (applicants) running for president, senator, representative, etc. (People Staff, Xanga Staff, Myspace Staff, etc.). At the same time, the citizens can discuss their thoughts on them among each other freely (the cB hiring member discussion thread, cB chat). The candidates may sometimes be critiqued, and it's up to them how to reply to that (when applicants try "defending" themselves).

The moderators will inevitably become something of leaders of cB, which is why I don't see this comparison too far off. The moderators will always be involved with the members (particularly the People Staff), and when members have a question, the moderators are often the ones to answer (particularly the Design Staff). And when there are occasional "foreign matters" (such as forum invasions) the moderators of the other forum usually go to our moderators when they want to communicate. The relationship between something like "a company's treasurer and the company's customers" and "representative and citizen" are very different, and I find the latter more similar to cB's "moderator and member."

Of course, the analogy isn't perfect (i.e. the final decision is not up to the members, nonetheless, their opinion matters), but I find it more accurate than comparing the hiring session to something like when a company hires a person, and perhaps is why you might find cB's hiring sessions "bad" because they're not like a company's "hiring sessions."