User blog:TimeForTheTea/Alternative Interviews

Hello Darpians,

I'm here to simply tell you that we are introducing a new method of interviews. I would like to make it clear, though, that we are not replacing the current system but simply adding another option to it. As I'm sure we all know, a lot of times interviews can take months to complete, partly because of the activity of one of the participators and the time they have available to post, amongst other reasons. This can often be frustrating, especially if a plotline (whether a plot run by AI or between two others) depends on the character receiving this position. It also means that often an interview is cut short simply because of the need to finish it.

Which is where this option comes in. Essentially, this will feel like an application. It is a list of questions written by the user whose character is conducting the interview that would normally be asked in the interview itself. The idea is that the character answers the questions all at once instead of one by one. The person applying to the job would then respond in as much detail as possible. If the user conducting the interview has any follow up questions, then there will be a small section underneath that question where the user can ask that questions. The applicant would have to respond again in order to clarify. Yes, this can take time and thus wouldn't be an automatic stamp approval. However, it would still be quicker than doing an interview where you go through the question one by one. This would also depend on whether the conducting user finds the need to comment on it.

Little tidbits

 * Any questions within the interview would be written by the 'boss', thus they decide what goes into this interview. However, I do believe it would be standard that they include a section where the applicant can ask their own questions.
 * This method would lose the natural feel of an interview and would feel more OOC. However, this is the alternative method and the roleplayed interview will still be an option. This method is more for time constraints.
 * The option of which method to go with is ultimately up to whoever is conducting the interview. However, I hope both sides of the conversation can be reasonable and be open to doing the other method. If the applicant prefers this method then the other user would hopefully be open to listening to why and then making the decision based on both sides needs.
 * This is a trial and tweaks will most likely be made in order to make this method a viable option.
 * The application would be written IC. As in, you would be writing from the minds of the character rather than yourself. Try to go into as much detail as possible, explaining your response etc
 * If you are aware that your character is most likely going to be denied but still want to do the interview anyway then it is recommended that you roleplay the interview.
 * This will affect all aspects of the wiki. Auror offices, the Ministry of Magic, St. Mungos and stores (who still do interviews) will have this option available.
 * To make it as quick as possible, try to tell the person you are going apply for the job as soon as possible to help the other user put together the application to make it as quick as possible. I'm suspecting most people will have a standard list of questions at some point anyway.

Example
This is going to be a very vague example but bear with me

Questions Question #1: What experience do you have that will help contribute to this position?

Answer: I worked in a restaurant in Hogsmeade throughout my Hogwarts years which helped me gain the ability to interact with different people even when under pressure, all the while maintaining my professionalism.

Comment: If the character conducting the interview wants the applicant to elaborate on something, then they would ask it here. However, we do ask the conducting user to not keep this section running and ensure it is wrapped up quickly.

And the application would continue like that. My answer was short but hopefully in an actual scenario, the answer would be in more detail and elaborate.

Character questions

If the character wants to ask anything in regards to the job and the other character would answer below.

OOC Questions

If the user wants to ask anything. However, it can be asked outside of the application as well. Approval

The user conducting would give the approval (or refusal) of the applicant into the establishment here. This would usually be done in the format of the wordbubble. It can be a simple 'welcome to the ministry' or a speech making comments and recommendations to the applicant–up to the user.

Final Words

 * As I said, this is an alternative method to how interviews are run and in no way are we replacing it.
 * All content under the 'questions' section are subjective to whomever is running the interview and it is that character/user who has full control over the interview. What is a staple is 'Character and OOC questions and approval' for all applications.
 * Whilst there is the risk that this method can become time consuming, the entire purpose is too not be time consuming and be as quick as possible. Thus, I ask that you don't abuse the comments section and keep it too one or two responses each.
 * Your character can still be denied with this method. This might go without saying, but the person who conducts the interview will still have access to the applicants file. So, if your character has a history with crime and has been caught (for example) there's a chance your character might be turned away regardless. I'd imagine there'd be a question regarding the applicant's history and if it's justified, they might still have a chance. Either way, be aware this method isn't simply a stamp of approval, it is (hopefully) just a quicker method of how to conduct an interview. As previously said, if there's a chance that your character could be turned down, roleplaying the interview might be the better option because it might be more interesting. This can be cleared between the two users OOC, though, and the applicant can ask if there is a chance the character would be turned away because of so and so reasons.