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I am an admin and plugin manager on a server and have read a lot of staff applications, whether they were for the server I hold a staff position on or on other servers while I am sifting through old applications for fun. Many of these applications are too short or poorly written. On top of that, many server owners leave out a few fields or information about their servers that I would deem essential to providing an application capable of determining the merits of an applicant.
So, I am writing this guide to help those applicants and those making applications fill out applications and write better application forms.
Writing Application Formats:
When writing a new application format for your server, please include the list of plugins you are using. Hardly any formats I see people using, especially on the PMC forums, lack a list of the server's plugins. This will whittle down the number of applicants to only those that know your plugins or failed to read your plugin list.
Also, many people writing application forms post that Skype is optional. Skype is invaluable when communicating with staff members. All applicants should be required to have Skype so all staff can collaborate effectively.
If someone answers most or all of the questions in their application with "Yes", "No", or an answer that is too short to be suitable, do not accept the application.
A good form for your applicants to fill out should look something like this:
* = Edit according to your server's rules
IGN:
What rank are you applying for? Do you know the specific duties of the rank you are applying for?:
Do you have a Skype account?:
Age:
Do you have any previous staff experience? If so, please include proof.:
Do you currently hold a staff position? If so, please include proof.:
Do you have experience with the plugins listed?:
Were you referred by an existing staff member?:
Do you have any previous bans?:
What is your timezone?:
How often are you available?:
Explain how to handle these offenses: hacking*, griefing*, spamming*. Be specific.:
Are you able to contribute to the server payments? If you are not able to contribute currently, will you be able to contribute at any time?:
Tell us about yourself.:
Applying for Staff:
When you apply for staff, do not ask how to obtain a staff position in game chat. We admins immediately know you didn't join the website or take the time to read important threads posted in the forum. Please read any pinned or important posts made by the server's staff. Most importantly, never demand a staff position for any reason. If the responding staff member has half a brain, you will be instantly rejected and future applications are more likely to be rejected as well.
If you do not currently hold a staff position on the server you are applying with, do not apply for Admin. Most servers have multiple staff ranks. It is generally smart to apply for the lowest rank first and work your way up. Understanding the ranks of a server is essential. For example, the ranks of the server I hold a staff position on organizes its ranks like so:
Admins:
- troubleshoot server errors
- manage plugins
- manage all lower staff
- determine server direction
- promote players
Mods:
- ban/tempban players
- mute players
- jail players
- promote players of the lowest rank
- give advice about plugins to other players
When you are applying for a staff position to give very detailed responses to all questions. One word answers and short sentences are generally frowned upon. The better your writing skills, the more likely your acception will be. Always proof read your application before submission. Your application should look as professional as an essay for school or a job application, since that is what you are applying for.
Here is an example of an application that I would consider:
IGN:
[In Game Name]
What rank are you applying for? Do you know the specific duties of the rank you are applying for?: Admin
Do you have a Skype account?:
Yes
Age:
[Age]
Do you have any previous staff experience? If so, please include proof.:
I have held a staff position for a friend on his server for a while. He can be contacted via Skype at [username] or you can see my posts as a staff member at [website url].
Do you currently hold a staff position? If so, please include proof.:
The website listed in the previous question proves my standing as a staff member, however that server has been down for a little over a month.
Do you have experience with the plugins listed?:
I am very familiar with [plugin]. [These are examples of times this knowledge has been helpful in your position as staff.]
Were you referred by an existing staff member?:
No
Do you have any previous bans?:
I had one a while back, but it was deemed an accident by staff. The server had a ban stick plugin so people could simply be clicked for fast bans to prevent further grief or hacking. The server was being hacked and about 50 people joined at once with randomized names so I went to spawn to investigate out of curiosity. I was accidentally clicked by the admin banning the randomized users.
What is your timezone?:
Pacific Standard Time
How often are you available?:
Most of each week day, but less on weekends.
Explain how to handle these offenses: hacking*, griefing*, spamming*. Be specific.:
Hacking: Obtain screenshots and player tesimony. If convincing, instant ban.
Griefing: Obtain proof via watching the griefer committing the crime and taking screenshots or using an anti-grief plugin installed by the server, such as Logblock or Hawkeye.
Spamming: Warn the spammer. If he/she does not heed the warning, mute. If a second offense occurs after the mute is recinded, instant ban.
Are you able to contribute to the server payments? If you are not able to contribute currently, will you be able to contribute at any time?:
I am unable to contribute at this time since I am jobless, but I would be happy to foot some of the bill once I have the money.
Tell us about yourself.:
I love to write novels and enjoy learning how configure plugins and permissions. I play with my boyfriend on servers that I play on and am an avid Xbox gamer. I like to make skins and build houses that I upload to PMC and I enjoy helping others and giving advice. I love to draw comics and play with various graphic and art programs like Paint.NET.
Following these guidelines for both writing and submitting applications should make the process smoother for both parties, staff and players, alike.
So, I am writing this guide to help those applicants and those making applications fill out applications and write better application forms.
Writing Application Formats:
When writing a new application format for your server, please include the list of plugins you are using. Hardly any formats I see people using, especially on the PMC forums, lack a list of the server's plugins. This will whittle down the number of applicants to only those that know your plugins or failed to read your plugin list.
Also, many people writing application forms post that Skype is optional. Skype is invaluable when communicating with staff members. All applicants should be required to have Skype so all staff can collaborate effectively.
If someone answers most or all of the questions in their application with "Yes", "No", or an answer that is too short to be suitable, do not accept the application.
A good form for your applicants to fill out should look something like this:
* = Edit according to your server's rules
IGN:
What rank are you applying for? Do you know the specific duties of the rank you are applying for?:
Do you have a Skype account?:
Age:
Do you have any previous staff experience? If so, please include proof.:
Do you currently hold a staff position? If so, please include proof.:
Do you have experience with the plugins listed?:
Were you referred by an existing staff member?:
Do you have any previous bans?:
What is your timezone?:
How often are you available?:
Explain how to handle these offenses: hacking*, griefing*, spamming*. Be specific.:
Are you able to contribute to the server payments? If you are not able to contribute currently, will you be able to contribute at any time?:
Tell us about yourself.:
Applying for Staff:
When you apply for staff, do not ask how to obtain a staff position in game chat. We admins immediately know you didn't join the website or take the time to read important threads posted in the forum. Please read any pinned or important posts made by the server's staff. Most importantly, never demand a staff position for any reason. If the responding staff member has half a brain, you will be instantly rejected and future applications are more likely to be rejected as well.
If you do not currently hold a staff position on the server you are applying with, do not apply for Admin. Most servers have multiple staff ranks. It is generally smart to apply for the lowest rank first and work your way up. Understanding the ranks of a server is essential. For example, the ranks of the server I hold a staff position on organizes its ranks like so:
Admins:
- troubleshoot server errors
- manage plugins
- manage all lower staff
- determine server direction
- promote players
Mods:
- ban/tempban players
- mute players
- jail players
- promote players of the lowest rank
- give advice about plugins to other players
When you are applying for a staff position to give very detailed responses to all questions. One word answers and short sentences are generally frowned upon. The better your writing skills, the more likely your acception will be. Always proof read your application before submission. Your application should look as professional as an essay for school or a job application, since that is what you are applying for.
Here is an example of an application that I would consider:
Example Application
IGN:
[In Game Name]
What rank are you applying for? Do you know the specific duties of the rank you are applying for?: Admin
Do you have a Skype account?:
Yes
Age:
[Age]
Do you have any previous staff experience? If so, please include proof.:
I have held a staff position for a friend on his server for a while. He can be contacted via Skype at [username] or you can see my posts as a staff member at [website url].
Do you currently hold a staff position? If so, please include proof.:
The website listed in the previous question proves my standing as a staff member, however that server has been down for a little over a month.
Do you have experience with the plugins listed?:
I am very familiar with [plugin]. [These are examples of times this knowledge has been helpful in your position as staff.]
Were you referred by an existing staff member?:
No
Do you have any previous bans?:
I had one a while back, but it was deemed an accident by staff. The server had a ban stick plugin so people could simply be clicked for fast bans to prevent further grief or hacking. The server was being hacked and about 50 people joined at once with randomized names so I went to spawn to investigate out of curiosity. I was accidentally clicked by the admin banning the randomized users.
What is your timezone?:
Pacific Standard Time
How often are you available?:
Most of each week day, but less on weekends.
Explain how to handle these offenses: hacking*, griefing*, spamming*. Be specific.:
Hacking: Obtain screenshots and player tesimony. If convincing, instant ban.
Griefing: Obtain proof via watching the griefer committing the crime and taking screenshots or using an anti-grief plugin installed by the server, such as Logblock or Hawkeye.
Spamming: Warn the spammer. If he/she does not heed the warning, mute. If a second offense occurs after the mute is recinded, instant ban.
Are you able to contribute to the server payments? If you are not able to contribute currently, will you be able to contribute at any time?:
I am unable to contribute at this time since I am jobless, but I would be happy to foot some of the bill once I have the money.
Tell us about yourself.:
I love to write novels and enjoy learning how configure plugins and permissions. I play with my boyfriend on servers that I play on and am an avid Xbox gamer. I like to make skins and build houses that I upload to PMC and I enjoy helping others and giving advice. I love to draw comics and play with various graphic and art programs like Paint.NET.
Following these guidelines for both writing and submitting applications should make the process smoother for both parties, staff and players, alike.
| Credit | I do not own the original thumbnail posted in my blog. All credit goes to CaptainLazerGuns of Youtube. |
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(probably the start of a :D chain between you and me xD)