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

[*mona lisa*]

What if someone's application sounds great but his/her qualifications aren't up to par compared to the other applicants? Or vice versa? Community feedback wouldn't be as useful.

[radhikaeatsraman]

Although I have proposed a potential solution, I think the biggest problem is having moderators not know what they're doing. It's as if the community just expects newly hired moderators to innately know everything, which is extremely unfair.

I believe we should adopt my solution, but also have a "training session" for first-time moderators. It should involve showing how to do basic things, such as closing topics, moving, merging, etc., and what everything is used for (e.g., the control panel) but it should also involve showing them how a moderator is expected to act. If a first-time mod makes a mistake, more experienced mods should be expected to step up to the plate and explain to them (Backstage or through PM, of course) what mistake they made and what they should do to correct it in the future. This could reduce the dissatisfaction with certain moderators among the members. Granted, if you suck at being a mod, you just suck, but most of the time, there is room for improvement.

[Simba]

I don't know if you meant the "training session" to be before or after being hired, but we're trying having the new staff members pick a "mentor" (one of the more experienced staff members) to help them out until they get the hang of it.

[radhikaeatsraman]

^The training session would be directly after hiring, of course. It's a bit absurd to train someone to be a moderator when they don't even get picked in the end.

[Simba]

^ Oh ok. I just remember Josh was talking about a probationary period.

Yeah, I guess the little mentor thing we're trying out would get that done.

[radhikaeatsraman]

^But what I mean is an official session where all the new mods are joined together to learn about cB and its features.

[Simba]

It'd be kind of hard to gather up all new staff, and even then, communicate. And it's not like people are hired and are immediately thrown into the fray without any guidance whatsoever.

Plus, obviously people learn at different paces, so I guess that's why I kind of like mentors better.

[*My Cinderella.*]

Although I have proposed a potential solution, I think the biggest problem is having moderators not know what they're doing. It's as if the community just expects newly hired moderators to innately know everything, which is extremely unfair.

I believe we should adopt my solution, but also have "training session" for first-time moderators. It should involve showing how to do basic things, such as closing topics, moving, merging, etc., and what everything is used for (e.g., the control panel) but it should also involve showing them how a moderator is expected to act. If a first-time mod makes a mistake, more experienced mods should be expected to step up to the plate and explain to them (Backstage or through PM, of course) what mistake they made and what they should do to correct it in the future. This could reduce the dissatisfaction with certain moderators among the members. Granted, if you suck at being a mod, you just suck, but most of the time, there is room for improvement.

I think this is a great idea. I have to admit, I'm still getting used to this Moderator position, and I'd love it if I had some help on the basics and what not.

[Intercourselyts]

Actually, I agree with Josh on this. Yet I also believe we should come to a compromise.

I say let members PM their applications so that no one else is influenced by it, then, on the first post of the discussion topic, list the members who are applying & their desired positions. The members' feedback will still count, but their comments will move away from the applications and be more about the applicants themselves.

But wouldn't that just have more favoritism come out for each person, I thought about being on staff wasn't about how well liked you were? Of course it helps but its not the only thing you need to get you by.

I believe we should adopt my solution, but also have "training session" for first-time moderators. It should involve showing how to do basic things, such as closing topics, moving, merging, etc., and what everything is used for (e.g., the control panel) but it should also involve showing them how a moderator is expected to act. If a first-time mod makes a mistake, more experienced mods should be expected to step up to the plate and explain to them (Backstage or through PM, of course) what mistake they made and what they should do to correct it in the future. This could reduce the dissatisfaction with certain moderators among the members. Granted, if you suck at being a mod, you just suck, but most of the time, there is room for improvement.

This sounds great, I've been pretty much helping Ricky doing some things around the myspace forum, told him how to check a few things and what needs to be closed and what to look for when rejecting layouts and also how to write a good rejection letter

[anime-essence]

Holly in my opinion, should be my mentor even though she isn't on the staff. She definitely knows what she is doing. She has helped me very much.

[*Uronacid*]

Actually, I agree with Josh on this. Yet I also believe we should come to a compromise.

I say let members PM their applications so that no one else is influenced by it, then, on the first post of the discussion topic, list the members who are applying & their desired positions. The members' feedback will still count, but their comments will move away from the applications and be more about the applicants themselves.

I agree with this... I'm writing up my idea of a compromise.

[radhikaeatsraman]

It'd be kind of hard to gather up all new staff, and even then, communicate. And it's not like people are hired and are immediately thrown into the fray without any guidance whatsoever.

Plus, obviously people learn at different paces, so I guess that's why I kind of like mentors better.

Well, there could be a thread Backstage for people to pick mentors, and they would all be expected to actively communicate with each other. How about that?

[gelionie]

^ I believe there was such an existing topic even when I was newly hired as staff (one year ago).

[radhikaeatsraman]

^Really? When I was a moderator, I didn't see any such topic. Meh. Things probably changed.

[*I Shot JFK*]

We all have staff mentors helping us out as individuals

Or, that is, we had the opportunity to ask for one if we wanted

= )

[*Duchess of Dork*]

^Really? When I was a moderator, I didn't see any such topic. Meh. Things probably changed.

I never had one either. Although, I remember leaning heavily on Kiera and Suzzette for advice. I particularly remember Suzzette being so encouraging when I'd second guess myself a lot.

It is offered though (mentoring).

[Simba]

^Really? When I was a moderator, I didn't see any such topic. Meh. Things probably changed.

Yeah, I never received a mentor either.

Yeah, an actual separate thread about mentors would probably be good. I never remembered seeing such a topic nor being offered a mentor during my early moderating days.

[*kryogenix*]

Intro

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!

So what? It's a privately owned website; ultimately, micron has the final decision on anything, even if every single user in the community agreed to the opposite.

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...

Math to back this up? I view createblog in two parts; contributions come in way of graphics/skins/scripts or as posts in the community. There are plenty of contibuting going around.

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 was hired via pm the first time. HOWEVER, that was when the community was still very small and micron made the decision himself. Some of your suggestions actually aren't bad; I witheld my criticism of some of the applicants until after the hiring process was over.

You know what would lead to less drama on this place? People not taking everything so seriously. If someone doesn't compliment you, it doesn't mean they hate you.

[Intercourselyts]

We all have staff mentors helping us out as individuals

Or, that is, we had the opportunity to ask for one if we wanted

= )

AC, maybe it was just the earlier moderators, because I don't remember at all getting any help when I was put on staff. I just went with my instincts and asked Toya for a second opinion at times.

Maybe their changing it since they hired so if they have any questions then they can feel free to help them..

[radhikaeatsraman]

But wouldn't that just have more favoritism come out for each person, I thought about being on staff wasn't about how well liked you were? Of course it helps but its not the only thing you need to get you by.

Every hiring session has people rooting for their best friends or the people they like best; I believe the mods have the competence to see through that and really take a look at a person's qualifications.

[*Uronacid*]

Every hiring session has people rooting for their best friends or the people they like best; I believe the mods have the competence to see through that and really take a look at a person's qualifications.

Right, that's one thing I don't like about the hiring sessions...

Certain members that apply get lots of praise because they are good friends with the top 10-15 most active members of the community. members of the community, and other members aren't acknowledged at all.

I personally don't think that people who apply should be able to post in the "hiring" thread if they are referring to any applicant other than themselves. Allowing applicants to openly critique another's application is definitely opening the door for biased and unfair opinions.

The staff definitely does need training after their hired. Every job has some sort of required training, why shouldn't CB have one?

[radhikaeatsraman]

Every hiring session has people rooting for their best friends or the people they like best; I believe the mods have the competence to see through that and really take a look at a person's qualifications.

Emphasis on the bolded quote.

I personally don't think that people who apply should be able to post in the "hiring" thread if they are referring to any applicant other than themselves. Allowing applicants to openly critique another's application is definitely opening the door for biased and unfair opinions.

Well, the moderators are going to interact a lot with the community, so shouldn't it be fair to allow the members to openly critique those who are applying?

[Intercourselyts]

^Yea of course, but shouldn't their opinions about the person be mostly based on how the person is around the community and if the way they post around shows a great qualifications for the position they want and not be open for biased opinions. Yes, of course being well liked around this site has some open brownie points to be added to being hired, but its of course not at all the main reason to be hired, as everyone should know.

[radhikaeatsraman]

^Of course, which is why the mods should use their judgement and see for themselves how a person is qualified. I will not say that again.

[Intercourselyts]

Yea sorry, you don't need to repeat yourself believe me. Although if you keep saying that then why exactly do they need the members opinions?