Simple Machines, our team, and our recruitment process
February 22, 2010, 04:06:02 PM Posted by Kindred on February 22, 2010, 04:06:02 PM in Simple Machines, our team, and our recruitment process | 41 CommentsFrom time to time we get inquiries from certain people expressing interest in helping out with the project, and possibly joining the team. I figured I would share with you how we select team members and what you can do to help out.
One important thing to realize is that we are always looking for more people. Simple Machines has grown rapidly in the last few years and our team has expanded along with the project. With some recent departures, we are also looking to fill the void with some new blood.
Here are some of the things we look for in potential members (there is no particular order to this list):
While there are some opposing views, the generally consensus of the team is that you should not ask to join the team. Joining the team is not a goal in of itself. The best way to get on the team is to not try to get on the team, and instead use that energy to help the project as a whole.
Do what you enjoy doing. If you aspire to be a mod developer, go read the Mod Requests board and develop some mods. If you think the design team is the place for you then go create some kick-butt themes and submit them to the theme site. At the same time, try to help those who are learning. A great theme designer is wonderful, but one that can assist people in creating their own themes is even better.
Do note: We'll often wait months before inviting someone to join the team. This allows us to see how regular they are and to make sure they aren't "faking it". If you do get asked to join the team, there is a good chance it'll be as a Support Specialist. A good portion of our team starts there as that team has the most amount of work to do (plus, most users come to our notice because they are assisting the community and providing answers and support already). Starting in the support team allows us to see how well you perform in the team environment, but does not "lock you in", by any means. Movement between teams is a regular occurrence, as people who have joined find that their talent (or the rest of the team notices talent) lies in a specific area or focus.
The process of getting someone onto the team
The process itself is simple. A team member will notice that a particular member has been really helpful and shows the above traits. That team member will post a recommendation to the team board, where the potential team member is discussed, their previous postings looked at, and mods or themes looked at, etc. We try to make sure there are no reasons why the user shouldn't join the team. If the team is in agreement, the team leader for a particular team will contact the person and invite them to join that team. If the person accepts, the team leader then lets the administrators know and they then changes the new invitee's group(s) which adds him (or her) into the team.
Also, note that the teams listed on the team page should not be viewed as a constraint mechanism. We are always looking for people with unique skills and knowledge, even if it doesn't fit into one of the teams. So if you have a strength that you think would be beneficial to the project, please share it with the other users.
[note: this is a re-post of an older thread. It includes some grammatical and textual corrections and some updates on details]
One important thing to realize is that we are always looking for more people. Simple Machines has grown rapidly in the last few years and our team has expanded along with the project. With some recent departures, we are also looking to fill the void with some new blood.
Here are some of the things we look for in potential members (there is no particular order to this list):
- Posts often and regularly. We need people who are active and able to contribute regularly.
- Posts accurate information. Not knowing the answer is fine, however posting a bad solution is worse than no solution.
- Posts information in an easy to understand manner. As the project has expanded, we are getting more users who don't have a vast experience with computers. We need people who can help them out as well as the super geeks like me.
- Is respectful to the other users, especially when confronted with an opposing view.
- Ability to work as a part of a team.
- Has been contributing for a while. We often get people who surge onto the scene but quickly fizzle out. We are looking for people who will still be active a year or more from now.
While there are some opposing views, the generally consensus of the team is that you should not ask to join the team. Joining the team is not a goal in of itself. The best way to get on the team is to not try to get on the team, and instead use that energy to help the project as a whole.
Do what you enjoy doing. If you aspire to be a mod developer, go read the Mod Requests board and develop some mods. If you think the design team is the place for you then go create some kick-butt themes and submit them to the theme site. At the same time, try to help those who are learning. A great theme designer is wonderful, but one that can assist people in creating their own themes is even better.
Do note: We'll often wait months before inviting someone to join the team. This allows us to see how regular they are and to make sure they aren't "faking it". If you do get asked to join the team, there is a good chance it'll be as a Support Specialist. A good portion of our team starts there as that team has the most amount of work to do (plus, most users come to our notice because they are assisting the community and providing answers and support already). Starting in the support team allows us to see how well you perform in the team environment, but does not "lock you in", by any means. Movement between teams is a regular occurrence, as people who have joined find that their talent (or the rest of the team notices talent) lies in a specific area or focus.
The process of getting someone onto the team
The process itself is simple. A team member will notice that a particular member has been really helpful and shows the above traits. That team member will post a recommendation to the team board, where the potential team member is discussed, their previous postings looked at, and mods or themes looked at, etc. We try to make sure there are no reasons why the user shouldn't join the team. If the team is in agreement, the team leader for a particular team will contact the person and invite them to join that team. If the person accepts, the team leader then lets the administrators know and they then changes the new invitee's group(s) which adds him (or her) into the team.
Also, note that the teams listed on the team page should not be viewed as a constraint mechanism. We are always looking for people with unique skills and knowledge, even if it doesn't fit into one of the teams. So if you have a strength that you think would be beneficial to the project, please share it with the other users.
[note: this is a re-post of an older thread. It includes some grammatical and textual corrections and some updates on details]
Comments
Very cool. I never knew about how the process worked.
Thanx for this
Thanx for this
Quote from: Kindred on February 22, 2010, 04:06:02 PMWhy did you let me on the team then?
- Ability to work as a part of a team.
QuoteThat's part of why I failed.
- Has been contributing for a while. We often get people who surge onto the scene but quickly fizzle out. We are looking for people who will still be active a year or more from now.
Still, good to see that some clarifications are coming through. Make sure you're taking on people for the right reasons though.
Quote from: Arantor on February 22, 2010, 05:10:27 PM
Still, good to see that some clarifications are coming through. Make sure you're taking on people for the right reasons though.
Quote from: Kindred on February 22, 2010, 04:06:02 PM
[note: this is a re-post of an older thread.
Yes, this was clarified by PM because it didn't seem quite the same.
good to know, but, too many responsabilities to me 
Anyway I can join the Customizer's group?
Written any mods, made any themes? Demonstrated overall knowledge of SMF, PHP and so on?
Team invites are not on request, they're made if you've shown what it takes.
Team invites are not on request, they're made if you've shown what it takes.
I always imagine that you choose the team.
I'll run
I'll run
Quote from: Arantor on March 30, 2011, 04:55:48 PM
Written any mods, made any themes? Demonstrated overall knowledge of SMF, PHP and so on?
Team invites are not on request, they're made if you've shown what it takes.
Yes I have, do I need to show them to you?
Not *me*, I don't have any say If you want to demonstrate to the team that you're up to the task, you need to demonstrate these things to everyone, like helping out in the support boards, especially Coding Discussion, like submitting mods to the mod site that are approved with little or no fuss (if you're responsible for reviewing others' mods, you pretty much need to ensure your own house is in order first)
I have to say that I haven't ever seen anyone get onto the team with less than a couple of thousand posts under their belt.
If you want to demonstrate to the team that you're up to the task, you need to demonstrate these things to everyone, like helping out in the support boards, especially Coding Discussion, like submitting mods to the mod site that are approved with little or no fuss (if you're responsible for reviewing others' mods, you pretty much need to ensure your own house is in order first)I have to say that I haven't ever seen anyone get onto the team with less than a couple of thousand posts under their belt.
Okay, but I can't just pop up with couple thousand post's anytime soon, because then I would be a spammer .
. QuotePosts often and regularly. We need people who are active and able to contribute regularly.
Posts accurate information. Not knowing the answer is fine, however posting a bad solution is worse than no solution.
Posts information in an easy to understand manner. As the project has expanded, we are getting more users who don't have a vast experience with computers. We need people who can help them out as well as the super geeks like me.
Is respectful to the other users, especially when confronted with an opposing view.
Ability to work as a part of a team.
Has been contributing for a while. We often get people who surge onto the scene but quickly fizzle out. We are looking for people who will still be active a year or more from now.
In other words... Don't ask. Show.
Quote from: lowrida018 on April 02, 2011, 12:47:57 AM
Okay, but I can't just pop up with couple thousand post's anytime soon, because then I would be a spammer
I used to turn out 2-5 thousand posts a month when on the team...
So I won't get in trouble or anything if I just start posting like 100 post's a day?
Provided they're not spam, no. I regularly used to make 100+ posts a day, my peak was 530 posts (some since deleted) back in September 2009. Yes... in one day.
Bear in mind that I was freshly on the team that month, and I think I ended up making 4,000 posts that month alone.
Bear in mind that I was freshly on the team that month, and I think I ended up making 4,000 posts that month alone.
Quote from: lowrida018 on April 02, 2011, 06:56:42 PMSo I won't get in trouble or anything if I just start posting like 100 post's a day?
Only if you don't post in german in the spanish boards...
Quote from: DoctorMalboro on April 02, 2011, 08:43:26 PMQuote from: lowrida018 on April 02, 2011, 06:56:42 PMSo I won't get in trouble or anything if I just start posting like 100 post's a day?
Only if you don't post in german in the spanish boards...
Lol.
How about Localizer position ?
I'd imagine that you'd get that position by first becoming a translator, and working with translating for people and stuff. I'm not exactly sure how that would work.
Posting and doing stuff just for a rank is the way to show that you only like badges and not responsabilities...
Quote from: Jaekob Caed on April 03, 2011, 07:09:51 PM
I'd imagine that you'd get that position by first becoming a translator, and working with translating for people and stuff. I'm not exactly sure how that would work.
I did not know you were on the smf site too, I though you were just on the Smfnew site.
The first rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
The second rule of the Team is you don't aim to be on the Team.
The third rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
The second rule of the Team is you don't aim to be on the Team.
The third rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
Quote from: STaTiiKz on April 03, 2011, 07:53:10 PM
The first rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
The second rule of the Team is you don't aim to be on the Team.
The third rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
Who me? If so, I already knew 2 of those.
Quote from: lowrida018 on April 03, 2011, 07:54:41 PMQuote from: STaTiiKz on April 03, 2011, 07:53:10 PM
The first rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
The second rule of the Team is you don't aim to be on the Team.
The third rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
Who me? If so, I already knew 2 of those.
Not the important one, though.
.. 
I really don't think there is a need for this, not that it's incorrect, but because the team has already handled it privately, and I don't think this needs to be posted publicly. I personally, would find it quite humiliating, and I would definitely not take it well.
Quote from: busterone on April 03, 2011, 10:56:37 PM
lowrida018, I don't know how to say this any way but straightforward.
You have been posting nonsensical and unhelpful comments all over the support boards for quite a few days. Your lack of knowledge on how SMF works is apparent. You really need to do a lot less posting and a whole lot more reading, learning, and experimenting on your own board before you can offer support in any meaningful manner. Your wild guess comments in the support topics only serve to confuse the OP looking for help.
I agree with busterone. You must be learned before you can teach.
Well, if it has already been dealt with, then I apologize. I have no intention of embarrassing anyone myself, simply pointing out a simple truth. I have seen these non-sense posts show up all over the place, and to be honest, they are quite irritating.
Nothing taking, but now I have to have my post's approved by a Moderator.
Quote from: JBlaze on April 03, 2011, 07:53:10 PM
The first rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
The second rule of the Team is you don't aim to be on the Team.
The third rule of the Team is you don't talk about the Team.
In this I'm very agree.
I think that to get the team is a long way, I myself took almost 3 years in smf.
and even now begin to know how it works
Not everyone is welcome to the team, as there are personal dislikes 
Some of us are welcome and some of us are not. Fair enough to me.
feline,
it doesn't necessarily have to do with "personal dislikes" but rather, can the potential candidate work within our existing team structure and work with existing team members (and can those team members work with the candidate)?
it doesn't necessarily have to do with "personal dislikes" but rather, can the potential candidate work within our existing team structure and work with existing team members (and can those team members work with the candidate)?
Yea Sir Kindred,
I think I have (also in my job as a beta tester) more often proved that I have skill. But obviously there are other reasons, which I just do not know.
I think I have (also in my job as a beta tester) more often proved that I have skill. But obviously there are other reasons, which I just do not know.
As stated in OP that most will be invited to join the team starting from being support specialist. Thus, I believe that sharing your knowledge and understanding on how to solve problems to members the SMF ways will help a lot in showing your interest in becoming a team members in the positive way. You may also opt not to join if you are not ready or have other commitments or not interested in becoming team members at all. I know you are very good but I seldom see you are helping around a lot as it should be. A trait which may lead you to be offered by a team member to become one of the apprentice. Just another 2 cents from me.
Always when I enter a topic I have a virus alert ...
Quote from: feline on April 07, 2011, 04:26:50 AMYou're using Kaspersky?
Always when I enter a topic I have a virus alert ...
See Virus Report from Spell Checker for existing discussion.
QuotePosts often and regularly. We need people who are active and able to contribute regularly.
- I use to until I got a reply from a modder not to give support to his mode anymore... after that I stopped with helping on all mods
QuotePosts accurate information. Not knowing the answer is fine, however posting a bad solution is worse than no solution.
- I have always only posted only if a knew the answer or point in a directions to who could help
QuotePosts information in an easy to understand manner. As the project has expanded, we are getting more users who don't have a vast experience with computers. We need people who can help them out as well as the super geeks like me.
- To me my replies are easy to understand for others with no computer skills I couldn't find the time for them.....
QuoteIs respectful to the other users, especially when confronted with an opposing view.
- Always have done with everything I do
QuoteAbility to work as a part of a team.
- love team work, always happy to give a helping hand if asked
QuoteHas been contributing for a while. We often get people who surge onto the scene but quickly fizzle out. We are looking for people who will still be active a year or more from now.
- I have made Mods and shared with others via email and re-edit mods for my self but left the copy rights to the creator as I don't want someone else credit
- but will not shared them mod edits I have done on the boards, I send my moded mod to the creator for if he/she wants to use the edits they can.
I might take on something more involving like this.
Quote from: Antes on April 03, 2011, 06:14:07 PMNow two years later
How about Localizer position ?
I wanna join yet still lacking the skills, so I'm learning relentlessly T T
Just stick around keep learning and have a good time.