Business Category Editor Application Advice Sought

The FAQ advises to apply for a category of 100 or less sites listed. I'm writing to ask advice about a category I'd very much like to apply to be the editor of.

The following category has no editor -
"Business: Marketing and Advertising: Salesmanship"
There are 161 sites currently listed - so that's over 100. Being very web savy and having a good understanding of the ethos and practices of dmoz, I'd like to apply to be the editor of this category - yes, this would be my first. I am also a member of webmasterworld, which I believe gives me a broad perspective of SEO issues and their potential abuses.

Why this category? My area of expertise is sales negotiation. Not only do a I live and breathe the topic of Salesmanship - clients are large multinationals on several continents. I've naturally researched sites in this area extensively for several years now. So my editing should be highly informed, quick and accurate. My own site reflects my knowledge of the area of Business Salesmanship (www.CalumCoburn.com)

"Marketing and Advertising" category (one up), has 8838 entries - so I believe my becoming an editor would alleviate a burden from this large category editor.

There are 2 categories below, these have 59 and 86 entries respectively. The 59 category does not presently have an editor, and I'm prepared to take on that responsibilty too.

Please pass on your advice and opinions.

With Thanks
Calum

There are 2 categories below, these have 59 and 86 entries respectively. The 59 category does not presently have an editor, and I'm prepared to take on that responsibilty too.

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I think that you might want to apply for the smaller category to begin with. The reason we ask for people to start off in a smaller category is so that they can learn the ropes without doing too much damage. It doesn't really matter how much subject experience you have if you don't understand how we do things.

Thanks for your advice.

If I were to apply for the smaller category first, how long would I need to wait until I could be 'promoted' to the next level up?

Thanks in advance
Calum

There is no set time. You will need to come in and show anyone reviewing your edits that you have gained a good understanding of how ODP editing works, as witnessed by your edits - both new sites added, but also cleaning up entries which might no longer be compliant with the ODP guidelines, dead sites, etc. One of the things that is then recommended is that you get a peer review of your work, to allow another editor to look through it - you will find a place in our internal fora for that purpose. So it's not a question of just "waiting" - it's all down to how much work you are prepared to do.

You then make an application to edit in the category "above" the current one.

Hope this helps.

If I were to apply for the smaller category first, how long would I need to wait until I could be 'promoted' to the next level up?

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This doesn't apply yet, but you might want to take a look at Applying for New Categories: Advice and Guidance. This is what you need to go through to get the next category after you are already an editor. It's interesting reading. If you think it's hard to get the first category, the second is almost worse Often we give someone the benefit of the doubt when we approve the initial application, but our expectations increase exponentially after you've had a chance to learn the ropes.

Thx Dolandb & Alucard. Will read the page referenced and do homework before applying. It's a worthwhile endeavour.