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.

[sadolakced acid]

Bad form, bad form. This is not the way to go about starting the third cB war.

Anyways, since you seem committed, I'll give you a nice response.

Please, understand, being on staff isn't just about editing threads, closing spam, and moving topics. It's so easy even caveman could do it. But that's not what being on staff is about. Certainly, those are crucial points. But I do not believe there's been a case of a mod just refusing to do their job, or doing it poorly. At I said, it's pretty simple. Close a topic here, tell someone to shush there. What you have to recognize is that there are a few truths about mods.

1. Activity is the key. Staff members will do their jobs, but only when their on. Activity is, in fact, the primary reason most staff members leave their jobs. An active member makes for an active moderator.
2. Uncontroversial members make for uncontroversial moderators. Conflict avoidance skills are very important for mods, and face it, members that will get into squabbles with other members don't make ideal mods.

Being a mod is being a leader for the community, and that means no drama. If you can't avoid the drama, then you can't be a mod.

Anyways, I think you're forgetting something. Some of the best moderators in the past, take Fae (spirited away) for example, totally avoided any drama. While some people certain do succumb to personal attacks on other applicants, causing problems, the best will indeed rise above it. You're not supposed to openly compete, or debate about who's better. The sole point of the commentary thread is that- commentary. It's where you can air your concerns, like "i think they don't have the patience to be a mod".

Anyways, that being said, cB doesn't need a new mod system. That's not the problem. The ship is sinking and you're arguing about who gets to be the captain. The truth is, cB isn't nearly as popular as it was before. It isn't nearly as active. This isn't a problem of a bad hiring system, or even an inefficent forum structure. The problem is deeper than cB- it's the blog community itself. People have simply gotten tired of reading about other people's ordinary lives.

Certainly, cB still gets a lot of people looking for skins and stats. But these people don't make a solid core for the community. The core of cB has always been the debate forum. Certainly there are very prominent members who have never set foot in the debate forum, but most of the core of cB did. There, members set themselves apart as eople worth having a conversation with. And unfortunately, these members aren't coming to cB anymore.

The debate forum is dead, and consequentially cB is dying. cB needs to change to attract this core back. How? Well, there are many ideas. But i doubt overhauling hiring will do anything for that.