Well, after recent problems hiring staff from outside our community I have decided the best option is to hire within our community.

However I was wondering what other members would say the best option is. Would you open a private poll to see who the members prefer? Or choose a member youself?

Cheers,
Matt

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I'd never ever let the members pick. If you do, whichever person is picked, will end up making a ton of others mad, as they weren't. You should definitely just look at who has made the most positive contributions to your forums, and if you still have any other staff members, ask them of their opinions.

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I say you approach the members in private, see if they are willing to do what you require.

I always make a post saying that I am interested in hiring someone to perform a specific job. I ask people not to apply, but rather act as though they were staff, and actively post, refer, create new threads, and be active on the forum. I also stress that in order to be a moderator, people need to have a good image in the eyes of the other users.

I wait for up to a month, and I look at people who are continually actively doing these things, then I pull them aside on MSN and ask them if they are interested in being staff.

So far on my forum I have chosen two moderators, and I don't see myself having any problems with either of them any time soon.

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The first thing I would do is sit down and decide whether or not there are any members who stand out who you think would make good staff. If so, approach them in private, just as RM said.

If no members stand out, then create a thread letting everybody know that you're looking for staff - and let people apply. I don't agree with the method of creating a thread letting people know and telling them to "be on their best behavior". Anybody can put on a show. You don't want to judge people when they know they're being judged. Instead, what you do is say you're looking for staff and let people apply. Then, you go back and look at what they have previously done in the forums. If they posted nicely, were helpful, treated members well, etc. without having any incentive, then they probably make for a good candidate.

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Yes, way back when... AF was still young, Ryan advertised an admin position here, and many applied. I was selected after some questioning and credentials. I have been on staff ever since! (Feb of 06)

Yea, We have two members in mind. Unfortunately they are both gifted members. They have a high rank already.

Would this have a negative effect on any members in the forum?

There is one or two outside that rank we could consider but the best candidates are the two gifted members

Matt

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Why would that have a negative effect on anybody?

It sounds to me like they're the most deserving

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I agree with LightScribe.

I set up mock situations for the members to solve or react to. Depending on their reaction, I will then approach those members and ask them to become staff. I do not have an application section on my forums, I just approach the active, respected, and intelligent members.

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I kinda "watch" my members and see who are the best ones in terms of activity, quality of posts etc. When I need some extra help I just PM the ones that are the top of my community and "propose" to them

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