Best way to hire staff from within?

**matt4** · 12-23-2007, 11:11 PM

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

**Kem Rixen** · 12-23-2007, 11:24 PM

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.

**RedMatrix** · 12-23-2007, 11:28 PM

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

**LightScribe** · 12-24-2007, 01:17 AM

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.

**Ryan** · 12-24-2007, 03:03 AM

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.

**RedMatrix** · 12-24-2007, 03:34 AM

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)

**matt4** · 12-24-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

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.

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

**Ryan** · 12-24-2007, 01:35 PM

Why would that have a negative effect on anybody?

It sounds to me like they're the most deserving

**.amaZe** · 12-25-2007, 06:03 PM

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.

**dojo** · 01-04-2008, 11:33 AM

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

12-23-2007, 11:11 PM	#1
matt4 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 38	Best way to hire staff from within? 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 __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Affordable, Reliable webhosting! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - A forum for Ferrari Fans! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Music chat everyday! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-23-2007, 11:24 PM	#2
Kem Rixen Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 266	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. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-24-2007, 01:17 AM	#4
LightScribe Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 75	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. __________________ ~! LightScribe !~ Lead Director of To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. A community for everybody.

12-24-2007, 03:03 AM	#5
Ryan Forum Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 10,256	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. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Professional vBulletin Skins

12-24-2007, 01:35 PM	#8
Ryan Forum Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 10,256	Why would that have a negative effect on anybody? It sounds to me like they're the most deserving __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Professional vBulletin Skins

12-23-2007, 11:28 PM	#3
RedMatrix daviddamian.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: back in TX Posts: 4,043	I say you approach the members in private, see if they are willing to do what you require.

12-24-2007, 03:34 AM	#6
RedMatrix daviddamian.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: back in TX Posts: 4,043	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)

12-25-2007, 06:03 PM	#9
.amaZe Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 52	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. __________________ ▌ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| where clients matter. ▌99.9% Uptime Guaranteed. ▌cPanel X w/ Fantastico De Luxe, AWStats, more... ▌Unlimited Domains, Emails, Sub Domains, more...

01-04-2008, 11:33 AM	#10
dojo Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 708	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 __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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