Guide [Issue 68] 7 Ways To Succeed With Your Helper Application

[Flexoo 6,980]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello readers! Throughout their careers, many tankers hope they will once join the ranks of the helpers. We receive applications from such tankers almost on daily basis, but not all of them meet requirements. This topic aims to provide you some essential tips and shed some light on the most common mistakes applicants do. Note that these tips do not guarantee you will get into the helper team, however, they may raise your chances considerably. Let's dive right into the advice.

 

 

Help Unselfishly 

 

One of the biggest problems with applications is the motive behind them. Players often apply only to gain some sort of community status, to get power, crystal payments, Helper paint or any other possible benefit. Sure, helpers receive certain goodies for the time and effort they put into the game, but this should not be the primary reason for you to apply. We are looking for people who sincerely want to help the community to grow, people who want to maintain order and those who don't only think about the crystals in their piggy bank.

 

Usually, it's so easy to tell someone is joining just for benefits from the first interaction with that particular tanker or even his application. Don't send applications just so that you can brag about your status. In the end, people who unselfishly helped in the forum, chat, help site, Facebook or any other game environment, and proved their intentions through their actions will definitely impress us more with their applications than glory-seeking speculators.

 

Examine the Application Rules Thoroughly 

 

It's almost ridiculous, but many people actually don't even know what they are applying for. It happened couple of times that someone who wanted to apply for Chat or Battle Moderator asked a Reporter Administrator or posted their application in Newspaper Reporter section, because... uhm.. Reporter is the guy who works with the violation reports. Right?

 

NO. Sorry, you just jumped to a wrong conclusion. If you would have read the application rules, you would know that's not the case. Each team has their own application rules posted in their section that clearly state what is needed in the application and sometimes even what the job is about (although it's usually pretty clear from the job's name). If you somehow do not understand what is requested from you, either ask the administrator who's managing that particular team, or rather do not apply at all, because it's better not to send anything than a hastily made application. Who wants a hasty person that doesn't even know where to post the app in his/her team? No one.

 

But let's say you know what position you want to apply and you know where to post your application. Are there any more tips? Actually, yes. You should always fill in all the details requested in the application rules. If I would get a nickel for every application that lacked the requested details like example of writing, or age, I would honestly be millionaire by now. We don't need your bank account, your mother's first name or anything extremely personal, but those things in application rules are necessary. Otherwise we wouldn't have information to judge you on. Think of it as applying for real job. You want to make your application look appealing, you want to mention your strong points, your experiences and qualities. In other words, you want to persuade your future employer that you have the "whole package" for the job. Note that we do not hire helpers based on how quickly they write and send their applications, but how appropriate and elaborated they actually are.

 

Leave out the Lies

 

I outlined it's important to impress with your application, however at times, some tankers take wrong turn and try to present themselves in brighter light when they embellish the application with a load of lies. Applicant is either trying to get around a certain requirement he/she does not meet or thinks that lies will somehow raise his/her chances to get into the team.

 

I can tell you that the worst possible thing you can do in your application is lying. Lying will definitely not help you, but will actually cause the very opposite - it will drastically decrease or totally eliminate your chances to get into the helper team. My senior admin colleagues met many tankers who somehow underwent a rapid aging process and turned from 14 to 20 years old in two weeks to meet that age requirement in application rules. It's admirable some people already use time traveling technologies. But on more serious note, do not underestimate the administration, guys. Lies have short legs. We will find out!

 

Put Politeness and Rules Above All

 

This is by far one of the most important requirements we enforce in every helper position. Each member of the helper team must follow all the Game Rules. In the end, how would we practice what we preach? Helpers must be trustworthy, reliable people which do not succumb to stressful situations. They must be resistant to trolling, insults, rage or any other thing they might come across. In addition, helpers are game representatives and act as an extended hand of the company. It's natural administration and game owners want only the most reputable people to represent them.

 

So, let's dissect the requirements for passing something commonly known as karma (security) check because I deem lot of tankers have a very foggy image of how it actually works. If you check the application topics for any job, you will notice the sentence: "Clean ban history for at least 6 months" or "No bans in last 6 months". In some instances, the period can be even longer, but usually the job requires you to be clean for at least half of the year. I believe this part does not need any explanation. It simply says that you should not receive any official serious in-game ban. "So if I have no bans recorded in my history, does it mean I passed the check?" As a matter of fact, no. This is just a first layer of control.

 

Next, we examine how you behave in the game and its ambient, because ban history itself doesn't provide whole picture about you. I feel like some people think that we will not find out about bad behavior in battle chats because that stuff can't be reported now, or about their violations in eSports tournaments, or other shenanigans applicants do and think they're completely hidden from our sight. Guess what? We can check and learn quite few things that are related to behavior issues and assess each applicant very accurately.

 

You might ask: "But I am applying for Chat Moderator. What does that have to do with eSports violations, or some forum trolling?" You do not see any connection, but bad behavior in one department affects your chances even in the other one. It tells us that you do not handle certain situations correctly and thus that you ain't competent enough. If you really want to succeed, then behave and don't just count on that we won't learn about your trespasses.

 

Endure the Insecurity

 

As someone who applied for a helper position twice, I do totally understand it's not easy to wait for the final sentence. It might take weeks till we come to decision, but there are perfectly good reasons behind it. Firstly, judging applicant takes some time. We have to decide if the applicant meets the set criteria and run the karma check. Secondly, there are other things that are part of the administrators' workload, so they don't just sit and refresh the applications section. And lastly, let's not forget administrators are mere volunteers too. They have real life things they must attend to, so Tanki is not the only thing on their schedule.

 

Remember, good things come to those who wait. Resubmitting the application million times or flooding PMs of the administrators regarding the results will certainly not hurry the process, more likely, enquiring about it will impact your chances. Patience is very important attribute of helpers. If you don't have it, you will either get in trouble or won't make it to the team.

 

Resolve upon Your Plans

 

There's another thing you should definitely do before even sending the application and that is deciding what you would like to do as a helper. Some tankers firstly post an application for the job they want to do, they are declined, so they send an application to another job, get rejected, send another application to yet another job and the circle continues until there's no other job to apply for. Obviously, there's something wrong with the application or the applicant. If applicant sends a dozen of applications in short period of time, it shows he either doesn't care or know what he wants to do, or that he just want some post for status no matter what position it will be. Sure, sometimes one tanker does not fit one position, but he would do great on some other. However, spamming each application forum section in hope that the luck will smile at you one day is not the way around.

 

The problem is, many applicants just don't have resolve or aren't willing to improve when they are declined. Perhaps, applicants should try to get to the bone of the obstacle and try to find the way to improve rather than sending applications over and over again without knowing the problem behind the rejection or even completely ignoring it.

 

Self-Reflect

 

And lastly, I think it's in place to objectively self-reflect before applying and truthfully answer few questions to yourself:

1. Do my abilities, knowledge and nature suit the job I want to apply for?

2. Am I behaving in battles, forum or any other Tanki environment?

3. Do I really meet the requirements or am I just hoping that luck strikes again?

4. Do I really want to do this job?

5. Will I have time to do this job on daily/weekly basis?

6. Am I aware of all the responsibilities that come with the job?

 

These are just few most important questions. Obviously if you answered no, I would definitely advise you not to apply.

 

 

There you go. I hope this article will come around handy in case you would like to apply for any helper position in the future.

 

[Lankbouv 6,347]

You would get better helpers if there was no status attached to becoming one.  Many helpers act in a subtly-bragging manner, (not all), and this is why people want the job because of the status.

[Hex 11,520]

You would get better helpers if there was no status attached to becoming one.  Many helpers act in a subtly-bragging manner, (not all), and this is why people want the job because of the status.

Unfortunately, for a game environment like this, a status needs to be given to players who become Helpers because people need to know who are they talking about. For example, colors and avatars in the Forum are there for the public, so they know who is who and message the correct person. Things like specials paints and rewards are items which are given to them as a compensation for their work. As a Helper, I can definitely tell you this - all of us experience a huge status in the first two or three months of our jobs, it's just natural. After that, people begin to love their jobs and the feelings of status and rewards don't give any meaning to them. Though I do agree with your point, it's just not "safe" enough to have a system like that.

 

Besides, as it is written in the article, the application is a direct reflection of what your intentions are or would be after becoming a Helper. Successful application are very rare, and this is why most of the people who apply get rejected; and only those who really want to help the team they're applying for, win.

 

Hope you understand, thanks :)

[Magenta 5,165]

There's a spelling error. Self reflect point 6, com instead of come. Sorry I didn't quote, I am on phone :P

Nice article. Now they know where to redirect those who ask "whoa nice helper paint how to become helper".

Edited October 8, 2017 by Magenta

[I3.R.0 1,700]

Nice article mate. Keep goin buddy :)

[Flexoo 6,980]

There's a spelling error. Self reflect point 6,com instead of come. Sorry I didn't quote, I am on phone :P

 

Nice article. Now they know where to redirect those who ask "whoa nice helper paint how to become helper".

Hawk-eye. I actually quickly added that sentence just few minutes after coming back to home. Thanks. Corrected :rolleyes:

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Unfortunately, for a game environment like this, a status needs to be given to players who become Helpers because people need to know who are they talking about. For example, colors and avatars in the Forum are there for the public, so they know who is who and message the correct person. Things like specials paints and rewards are items which are given to them as a compensation for their work. As a Helper, I can definitely tell you this - all of us experience a huge status in the first two or three months of our jobs, it's just natural. After that, people begin to love their jobs and the feelings of status and rewards don't give any meaning to them. Though I do agree with your point, it's just not "safe" enough to have a system like that.

 

Besides, as it is written in the article, the application is a direct reflection of what your intentions are or would be after becoming a Helper. Successful application are very rare, and this is why most of the people who apply get rejected; and only those who really want to help the team they're applying for, win.

 

Hope you understand, thanks :)

I was a staff member twice (before you joined forum) and even won helper of the month paint, and believe me, the motivation back then was to get cool paints.  Then I decided to get cool paints from esports instead, and help the team genuinely through eSports advice, although now I am basically a retired player :)

 

I think you know exactly what I mean, the sort of proud feeling people get when writing with an avatar.  Far too much is given to helpers for what they do, such as the 20% for easy work of helping, which is same prize as Silver paint which is far harder to acquire (again I won Silver and Helper paint so I can make the comparison).

 

In my time in TO, I would say that I have observed about 40-50 staff members behaving in a biased manner, 30 or so in my opinion should have been sacked for it, and 10-20 were downright corrupt.  I know that  a current admin gives out IP addresses to the Drug clan community.  I know that a past admin was fired for being lazy and showing heavy favouritism.  I also know that a current moderator was feeding information to ..... and I won't mention the department of the mod.  I also know that it's more than likely that this post will be hidden.  The dirty secrets of this game are sad to see.  Far too much power and prestige is given to the Helpers, which allows such situations to arise.  People online cannot be trusted. The developers are actually the most trustworthy of the people out there.  Their aim is to make money. Helpers on the other hand are kids playing games, and they don't realise that the game ends when they leave the battle.  I also fell into this trap on many occasions, thinking skype is an extension of the game where the trickery can continue.  It's an online reality.  I've seen many online forums where the moderators are just that, they moderate the forum.  A poor game cannot afford proper wiki editors and other help assistants, and so the problem of the over reaching player-administrator is created.  If the admin is good and cares for the game as in the case of @joostcool it can be fine, but in the case of other admins who shall remain nameless, it is a disaster.

Edited October 6, 2017 by Lankbouv

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

A poor game cannot afford proper wiki editors

Thanks Lank. <_<

[Hex 11,520]

Thanks for reducing the rank! Now I can just apply for the Reporter position. Any more advice about applying now, @Flexoo?

What makes a good Reporter application?

[maryam98 1,171]

I’ve often wanted to know, do those little 5 minutes bans for accidental flood count as unclean karma? I mean when they are the only bans in the past year or so.

[Flexoo 6,980]

5 minute accidental flood ban should not be an issue.

[LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH 1,921]

5 minute accidental flood ban should not be an issue.

Umm, also one other thing, my karma is well..... not clean exactly, how do I clean it? or when does it get cleaned?

 

I ask you this as I have 3 warnings, but no clue how to get rid of them.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

Umm, also one other thing, my karma is well..... not clean exactly, how do I clean it? or when does it get cleaned?

You can't "clean" your karma. Your karma stays with you your entire career. If you don't receive any bans for a few months, your karma becomes "cleaner," in the sense that it shows you have reformed your ways. Also, regarding Forum Warning Points, I don't believe they go away. They stick with you forever. Windex also works :P

Edited October 8, 2017 by Marc

[Magenta 5,165]

I’ve often wanted to know, do those little 5 minutes bans for accidental flood count as unclean karma? I mean when they are the only bans in the past year or so.

The ones you get when you say, during parkour, "3,2,1, *gets banned when says go*"

A friend got an hour ban when he said this :D we were laughing so hard that we gave up parkour for the day :lol: thing was, he had been saying this for a long time, and first he got warned, then a 5 minutes ban, and then the one hour one. RIP :lol:.

[maryam98 1,171]

The ones you get when you say, during parkour, "3,2,1, *gets banned when says go*"

A friend got an hour ban when he said this :D we were laughing so hard that we gave up parkour for the day :lol: thing was, he had been saying this for a long time, and first he got warned, then a 5 minutes ban, and then the one hour one. RIP :lol:.

Yeah, those, and also the ones you get after getting a gold when you say ‘yessssssssssss’ and then get ‘Player maryam98 has been banned for 5 minutes. Reason: flood.”

[Stratosphere 2,234]

:rolleyes: I'm glad I've never been banned or warned. *sighs of satisfaction* B)

[maryam98 1,171]

:rolleyes: I'm glad I've never been banned or warned. *sighs of satisfaction* B)

Not even a flood ban? I have never been banned except those, and never more than 5 minutes, as far as I remember, but nothing at all?

[MSI 1,926]

Awesome article as always! ^_^

Edited October 9, 2017 by MSI

[Stratosphere 2,234]

Not even a flood ban? I have never been banned except those, and never more than 5 minutes, as far as I remember, but nothing at all?

No! That's why I'm proud of myself. :) I intend to keep it that way! B) Edited October 9, 2017 by Stratosphere

[maryam98 1,171]

No! That's why I'm proud of myself. :) I intend to keep it that way! B)

Wow, that is so cool! I thought MY karma was good, but that’s the best karma possible!

[Aunty_Entity 245]

No! That's why I'm proud of myself. :) I intend to keep it that way! B)

I thought that once... now I've had a few chat bans, a couple I'd call pretty minor, and a few that are just downright ludicrous interpretations of the english language.  If you manage to stay clean you're doing well.

 

Aunty

[SpreadLoveNotHate 374]

I think you know exactly what I mean, the sort of proud feeling people get when writing with an avatar.  Far too much is given to helpers for what they do, such as the 20% for easy work of helping, which is same prize as Silver paint which is far harder to acquire (again I won Silver and Helper paint so I can make the comparison).

 

In my time in TO, I would say that I have observed about 40-50 staff members behaving in a biased manner, 30 or so in my opinion should have been sacked for it, and 10-20 were downright corrupt. [tldr but i did read] I've seen many online forums where the moderators are just that, they moderate the forum.  A poor game cannot afford proper wiki editors and other help assistants, and so the problem of the over reaching player-administrator is created.  If the admin is good and cares for the game as in the case of [joost] it can be fine, but in the case of other admins who shall remain nameless, it is a disaster.

TBH Lank, I love what you said. 

 

Tanki's game staff are pretty different in a way that it's staffed by those picked from the community, from what little I know about games anyways. There's pros and cons from it of course. I can write a whole article about it if I want to. (Maybe at a later date...) 

But in the end, it's inevitable that there are staff that want to become staff because of compensation in paints, pride, and purchasing power. It's quite enticing after all, if I do say so myself. Ultimately, we do see that good staff exist as well. And this is the way the system works...perhaps the inability of screening and sorting out intentions when staffers join, or just the transparency nowadays about the perks staff get. 

 

Tanki exists as a community because there are staffers that have gone the extra mile. Helping tankers, building meaningful relationships with both staff and tankers, serving the community rightfully...that's how someone gets remembered.

 

I guess it is established that the 'less committed' staff members are going to exist. It's inevitable. Greed is human nature. 

Instead of spending time thinking about those less than average, why don't we turn our attention to those that are giving their job 110%? 

Let's take more time appreciating the better staff as a community, and encourage a community that we can be proud of sharing. 

 

I want to challenge everyone reading this to do something. If you know at least one staff member that has made your stay at Tanki more bearable, it wouldn't hurt to just say "Thank you" the next time you encounter them. It may seem like a simple phrase, but it means a lot for someone that has been spending hours here trying to make this community better. 

 

We don't need to be fixated on the negatives. Let's focus on the positives and change the community, one thank you at a time. 

[02RISKY20 189]

I applied to be a chat moderator. i didn't get the position, fine i can live with that.... but not being told i hadn't got it or why? I spent everyday in hope only for 2 months to pass and my dreams shattered  :(  i dare say i can apply again but i am questioning weather i want to if i don't get any sort of response back..

[Destrod 2,634]

 

 

I want to challenge everyone reading this to do something. If you know at least one staff member that has made your stay at Tanki more bearable, it wouldn't hurt to just say "Thank you" the next time you encounter them. It may seem like a simple phrase, but it means a lot for someone that has been spending hours here trying to make this community better. 

 

Thank you, mi Lord and sensei @Flexoo

*bows, then starts sobbing*

[Moraine 5,877]

I applied to be a chat moderator. i didn't get the position, fine i can live with that.... but not being told i hadn't got it or why? I spent everyday in hope only for 2 months to pass and my dreams shattered  :(  i dare say i can apply again but i am questioning weather i want to if i don't get any sort of response back..

It's clearly posted in the application rules for chat moderators what is going to happen. We cannot answer to each and every application, there are simply too many of them.