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*]

As an aside and since it isn't really relevant to what we're talking about here (Yes, I know I pointed it out first), regarding the cussing thing, Josh. If someone were to be warned for cussing, it would be a warning for cussing, not just cussing at an individual. :) [/mom]

Shouldn't you be able to see who is a qualified staff member is based upon interest that they show in the position and the way they act towards the community already?

Well, we can nominate. However, this way we see not only those with potential, but those with drive.

What if the community wants to hire someone who is unqualified just because they are popular? What if what the "community" wants isn't even in the hiring thread. Less than 50% of the community posted in that thread. far far far less than 50%... how do you really know what the community wants?

You have to understand that you aren't receiving input from the community. You are receiving input from 50-60 members of the community... about 33% of those members are applying for staff... you call that the community?

Those who care (and have the time), post. Those who care about the benefit of the site, raise their voices, if you will. Those so-called 50% would theoritically be inactive and as such, don't know or probably care who is and isn't staff. So the meat of the community, those who speak their minds and participate in such events are telling us what they want. It completely relates to the voting system and democracy (well, sort of). It would be like saying lets just not have a vote or let the people have a say at all if there's a percentage of them that do not say anything.

How else could it be done? Tell me... do you role a twenty sided die and give each applicant a number? Do the members have a voting thread that I don't know about? C'mon, if you haven't figured this out yet then you are either new to the site or completely ignorant.

Or you know someone with access to Backstage. I'm totally kidding, by the way. It's been mentioned before that that's what we do.

Yes, there is but it isn't the same thing that I'm talking about. Templates are only a way to organize, if you don't believe in them you will be severely disappointed if ever you are trying to organize data (I work for a market research company... if we didn't have templates I would go absolutely insane organizing respondents results). This, "Use your own mind, tell us in your owns words why you believe you are the one for the job." could be a question on that template

Um, hi! Data Analyst here. :D I know quite a bit about gathering and organizing data. If I were to rely on templates and not ever create my own queries, I'd be even MORE disappointed in myself. Besides, your comparison doesn't work. Must I remind you that this is first and foremost a blogging site with roots in creativity. Templates are both trite and cold.

On a happier and quite satisfied note:

I have to say that this particular round, in my opinion has actually proven to be the most efficient, most effective and most fair I've personally seen here.

Yes, it is unfortunate that drama stirs and that tensions were high at times, but that's just how it is. Drama would have occured regardless of the process. Read over James' post about random hirings and selections. Even if there wasn't a topic in the Lounge where members provide feedback, people would have found another place to express their opinions, biases, etc.

[*Uronacid*]

Those who care (and have the time), post. Those who care about the benefit of the site, raise their voices, if you will. Those so-called 50% would theoritically be inactive and as such, don't know or probably care who is and isn't staff. So the meat of the community, those who speak their minds and participate in such events are telling us what they want. It completely relates to the voting system and democracy (well, sort of). It would be like saying lets just not have a vote or let the people have a say at all if there's a percentage of them that do not say anything.

In some respects you're right, but more 80% of those members in that post are members that have been on the web site for one or more years. We have a huge shortage of new members... maybe this is a different issue...

This isn't even close to a democracy, and we have no voting system. You really can't compare the two.

The hiring thread isn't highly advertised, and the newer members (500 posts or less) don't really have a high chance at finding it. I definitely think it needs to be more publicized.

Templates are both trite and cold.

I collect the data, I don't organize it unless clients request a written response. I'm not a data-analyst like you. I collect the data for people who are in your position (supervise the people who collect it). I do know about mySQL and query writing though... I took a few classes in school, but back to your statement. Not if it were simple enough. In the case of "an application for this site", it make look like this:

-----------------------------
NAME:
POSITION YOUR APPLYING FOR:
REASON FOR APPLYING:
<put whatever you want be creative>
-----------------------------


Nothing to far from what you guys already do, I would only suggest a simple template to make it easier on staff. If your staff was to accept applications, they would need to organize and sort through them while looking to hire a member. A simple template wold make the difference between extremely difficult and extremely easy. A simple template would also allow room for creativity. I not talking about the cold templates used on an application for the real world.

It's not really a blogging site... it's just another forum with a few extras and a spiffy layout.

I have to say that this particular round, in my opinion has actually proven to be the most efficient, most effective and most fair I've personally seen here.

I agree with you, you have been a big help. Although, I feel as if James is just spitting things out because he doesn't like me. A lot of what he says isn't very well thought out. You, on the other hand, have shown my why we use this system.

Tell your mom that cussing is part of the English language. It's tasteless if you cuss to much; It's not to bad if you don't make it a habit. [/me]