Hi guys,

Over the past few months, I've asked the /r/NeedAMod community three times (for three subs) for anyone interested in becoming a mod, each time asking them to fill out an application form, which has only slightly changed between them.

While the first two had little apps from NAM, the last one had loads so I figured I'd give a little feedback. Please note: This is just my personal opinion based off the responses I got. I'm not a default mod and lots of other mods may do things differently.

Why should you consider my advice? Because it may just save you time and effort, or at least make it worthwhile, even if that's not readily apparent.

(And personally, I spend a good several hours on reading and deciding so help make me feel it was worthwhile pls)

ATFQ & DRY: Answer the Fucking Question & Don't Repeat Yourself

So most of the applications I got, people had neither contributed nor even showed more than a passing interest in the subject matter, so I assume it's 'just another form'. The answers were also short as hell.

So here we have the application version of RTFM (Read The Fucking Manual). It seems so incredibly obvious but so many don't do this.

A lot of the questions were vague (on purpose). These were designed to let you answer with your knowledge and potential experiences, and while I do take into account what you say, I'm almost always looking out for certain concepts.

For example:

There's a highly-upvoted post on the front page that's clearly against the rules. What do you do?

I'm looking for 3 main things. Communication with the rest of the team and the willingness to do what needs to be done. However, the final thing is also the willingness NOT to do it, depending on the case and the sub.

Take /r/Gallifrey for instance. It's a discussion sub so if there's a post with loads of comments and it doesn't break any rules that could hurt someone (i.e. personal attacks or spoilers), then it should generally stay.

Alternatively, take /r/Plex. If a help post didn't use the template but still contained the info, should it stay? If a help post didn't use the template but was solved by the time you got to it, should it stay?

[Of course, for this specific example, not all subs would do that. I would recommend first trying to get that general idea from the subreddit. Or just saying that you're willing to do it but will follow sub protocol.]

So try not to have your answers be simple "Yes", "Remove it", etc. Take a minute to think about it.

On the other hand, a few of them asked for specific things and even these weren't answered most of the time. This includes specifically responding to things in question descriptions.

For example:

Would you be willing to use Discord for instant messaging? i.e. moderator discussions on ideas, decisions and conduct and take part in user discussions! Bonus points for willing to install on Desktop/Mobile and set up notifications.

I'm looking for explicit confirmation on each part. "Yes" answers the question posed, but it isn't clear to me if you've even read the description.

In essence, treat it like a job application. The guy at the other end is probably looking out for stuff on a checklist so try to check them off.

There's nothing wrong with adding additional info that wasn't asked for though as these generally get bonus points. Also, you're welcome to make jokes and such but please don't do either of these at the expense of an answer.

But no one wants to spend half an hour or whatever on every form, right? Well, DRY. Do the work once and do it properly. Spend a good half-hour or even an hour getting together a list of answers to common questions and put that shit onto your Google Drive or something. Next time, cherry pick the answers from there and expand upon them to suit the sub, if needed. It'll save time and give you higher chances of getting picked.

Reading Comprehension is Important

Another obvious one that happens a disturbing amount of the time. If a post says to submit a form, submit a form. If a question asks for something in a way, do it. Inability to follow this REALLY simple shit makes me question your ability to do any moderation, especially when it requires knowing important but specific rules. And yes, it's a test. Bluntly, I think you're an idiot and move on. Don't waste both our times.

Try to keep things relevant to the sub

Questions such as launching something and fucking up weren't just for general things in your life but as part of your role as a moderator. Knowing you'll plan and advertise your new thing is all well and good but I'm more interested in how you'll handle it in the context of launching something as a subreddit moderator.

When are you online?

i.e. "I'm on all the time" isn't going to make me mod you

I'm looking for more specific answers than something that is not helpful or convincing. Why are you available all the time? What actual times is that? People go to bed at different times, you know!

If giving times, giving them in your local time is an annoyance to convert (especially if I'm doing such multiple times for 70 people). Try to give it in a suitable time for the sub or UTC (UTC stands for "Coordinated Universal Time", take the hint).

Improvements? What improvements?

In one of my questions, I asked for any improvements you might have. Take a look at the subreddit and find something that's wrong. Even if I don't agree with it, it makes the application more enticing.

Spend some of that time saved earlier to browse the subreddit. Several people have suggested things that are either very obviously generic, we already do or we have a bold bit saying we won't ever do it (coughNSFWspoilerscough).

On a similar note, please be critical. Even if you're not accepted, it gives us stuff to work on. Remember, if I thought the subreddit was perfect, I probably wouldn't be looking for more mods.

Check the comments and ask for clarification if needed

While I said earlier that Qs are vague on purpose, there's no harm in asking about them and reading what other people have said. Hell, I put most of this feedback in the comments as I figured I could help some people. Barely anyone followed it. (But then, there was fuck all improvement from the people who had already taken it previously)

Bulk up your "CV"

Hard real world experience may be difficult to come by, especially if you "know nothing", but it's not massively hard to get yourself familiar with the mod tools, tutorials and some CSS design. Hell, maybe even a bit of Python for some reddit bots too! I'm not saying it's incredibly quick or easy to master either of these, but you can get the basics in an afternoon sitting (each, probably).

I think that's it for now. I may remember more later but that's enough to read and consider for one day. You can see the general feedback I sent to /r/Gallifrey and /r/DoctorWho applicants here (although it's mostly the same).

If you've submitted a form and want a copy (you know, for that SUPER app template I mentioned above), let me know.

Any comments/questions, just ask.