What do you think is important to include in a staff application? Do you think some people go overboard with their staff requirements? I can understand wanting to be thorough and trying to make sure you select the right candidate, but a lot of times, you really have to take what you can get.
Staff Applications
- Thread starter pandaa
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Sometimes they do. Like if someone asks for every single social media you are on so you can be contacted 24/7 in case something happens. I can see where email and IM can come in handy but I don't see the need for everything else.
In my application forms I usually include the basics (name, age, email, etc..), why they would like to get the job, previous experience, what they can bring to the forum, and ask for a little bit about them. I think some people do go overboard with their requirements though. I have seen one forum go as far as having a moderation stimulator, where common situations would play out and you had to go through the motions of solving it. You had to pass all of the levels before you could even apply. There was a Skype (video) interview you had to go through after that also.
It depends, really. Identity and basic information is a must, but the rest varies. We do want to see how interested the applicant is in the position and if he has the skill for it, but words can be deceiving. It's always half gambling so I think applications do not need to be too complicated. Usually asking about activity/schedule, interest, and what the applicant is planning to do as a team member.
Talking about going truly overboard. It's scary. 😱 What kind of forum had this kind of recruitment method?
Cierra said:
Talking about going truly overboard. It's scary. 😱 What kind of forum had this kind of recruitment method?
When I've ran forums in the past, I've never actually asked for too much information when hiring new staff. The basic questions of their real name, age and possibly a list of their hobbies suffices for me. I don't need to know how active they are etc as most of the time, the person applying is a regular member of your forum.
Reverse Flash
Paragon
Name/age, previous experience, why they should be chosen, just the basics, really.
death180 said:
Perhaps scary is not a proper word, I'm sorry about that. It is thorough indeed to the point that I felt it was going a bit too far. I used to be a member in few manga scanlation groups and we did have tests, but it was a given due to the nature of the team. Otherwise, I have never been in a recruitment where applicants are given scenarios to see how they will do in such situation before they are added to the team. Interesting approach, though, and may prove to be more beneficial than normal application questions. Conducting video interview is the 'scariest' part for me although it may be necessary depending on the type of the forum. Since not everyone wants to share their faces or voices at the internet and the relevancy to the position is little to none perhaps.
Migi said:
Its definitely overboard in my opinion though. I think a few questions such as their name, and a few words to describe them is enough for personal info. I also think asking why they want to join is something that I see asked, but I think that a ton of questions is definitely unnecessary.
Honestly, I'd say the basics - age, location/timezone, alternative contact method - plus a question on their strengths/weakenesses and a question or two to get them to say why they want the position and what they'll do as a staff member on x team is enough. It doesn't need to be super elaborate.
Most times when I got staff applications, I wouldn't read them all the way through (it's a lot like a resume in that regard). I'd already know the person applying from the forum and if I didn't, they didn't really have a shot at staff. I could go off past knowledge plus their answers to the few questions above to determine if I want them on a team or not. Grammar/spelling is also important (to me), so I'd make sure at least one question was set up so it forced a longer response to check that.
Most times when I got staff applications, I wouldn't read them all the way through (it's a lot like a resume in that regard). I'd already know the person applying from the forum and if I didn't, they didn't really have a shot at staff. I could go off past knowledge plus their answers to the few questions above to determine if I want them on a team or not. Grammar/spelling is also important (to me), so I'd make sure at least one question was set up so it forced a longer response to check that.
But if they are going to get mod or admin permissions, how can you trust them to do the job correctly and honestly? All you know is their name and why they think they should get the position. Now you've given a stranger abilities to ban/edit/remove posts and people.Phoenix16 said:
Migi said:
It was a pretty large general forum, and that was just for applying to be a section mod (not even a category, just one forum- i.e "Website Appraisals" on Forum Promotion). 😛 I agree that it's overboard.
Well, you're always playing a gambling game. If somebody wants to screw you over, they'll do it; no matter how many questions you ask them. I think this is a good argument for why you should never start someone out with full permissions, and always try to hire people that you know.death180 said:
death180 said:
I agree with pandaa. Everything involving online world is gambling in a sense because you have no idea who the actual person you're talking to, unless it's someone you know from real life. It's true that we need to be extra careful, but words and simulations won't exactly bring you very far because such actions can be faked. That's why new recruits are usually taken from regular/established member of the community, where he/she has proven himself/herself to be a good member. Still that does not guarantee he/she won't abuse the power. Possible counterattacks are power limitations, staff levels, and backup files in case damage happens. That's why I don't think lengthy or complicated recruitment process is much needed.
Has anyone ever done a little online stalking for potential staff candidates? Like, gotten their social media profile links and scanned those posts? Offline jobs/employers do it, so I'd imagine some of the larger online sites do the same. It's not a bad idea, honestly. It can help you get a better idea of who you're dealing with and remove the "gamble" as pandaa and Migi called it.
Geoffrey said:
This is a good idea. Aside for communication later if he/she is added to the team, asking for contact links/social media links can help us to get image of the person applying outside the forum. If it were I might also have been friends with some members at social networks so in case they were applying, I already had an image about them in my head.
I prefer this kind of approach than making them writing long applications, case simulations, or even face-to-face interviews via Skype, for example. All combined they can still give general impression of the applicant much like the complicated processes.
Cierra said:
Stimulation tests, video interview? That sounds more like a process for applying for a real life job. Not a forum! I really don't have too many requirements at all. All a person needs is knowledge of phpBB, must have a good attitude towards staff and members, and must be willing to make a few posts daily (no limit on how many posts. ) and must be willing to contribute to staff discussion and general brainstorming session when the need arises for an all staff discussion.
I believe that you need enough information to get to know the applicant, such as their name, their age (if they're willing to share it), their nationality, a paragraph about his/herself, etc.. You also need to ask questions that is relevant to the position they're applying for. For example, if they are applying for a position as a moderator, you need to see how they handle situations, how mature they are, if they have the skills, etc.
This is a good idea if you can do it. However, I'd imagine that a lot of people don't have their real life identity tied to their online persona; so unless they give you their social media links, you're kind of out of luck.Geoffrey said:
Those other processes would work if the position was paid or had serious benefits, but as Ashley said, I think that is a bit too much for a standard staff position on a forum. Yes, it should be taken seriously, but many people are staffing forums as a hobby.Migi said:
@pandaa: Yeah, you would have to ask for their links and they may not give it to you, it depends on how serious you are about that approach if you require them to do it to get the position I guess. I don't think I'd make it a requirement, but it would make me question what they might be hiding. Personally I don't care who has my social media links, they're all public and my name isn't that common. My first name and location (available on most forums) is usually enough to find me anywhere.
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