Rejected 3 times in 24 hours by same mod.

Ace Internet · Jun 2, 2004

I wonder if the person who has rejected my applications three times in the last 24 hours could possibly contact me?

The first reason stated was that it had nothing to do with the discussion here, although on each of the three occasions I submitted quite different applications, with different proposed sites etc. and all very carefully spell checked.

It just seems strange that I have been rejected three times by the same person (very quickly after submitting the application).

Not sour grapes, I just want to know that if I apply again, I stand a real chance, and am not going to waste my time and be automatically rejected because someone has a grudge against me.

The open directory really needs more editors and I have found the experience over the last 24 hours very unwelcoming and off-putting.

Alucard · Jun 2, 2004

Hi there.

I know it can be frustrating - you read the guidelines and read them again, and try to apply and get rejected. You have mentioned that the meta-editor that dealt wiuth your submissions gave you a reason, but you have only told us what it wasn't, not what it was. It's difficult to point you in the right direction without knowing that piece of information.

If you apply to the right category (one that is not too large and not too spam-prone) with an application where the suggested sites are appropriate for the category, and the title and desctription fields are according to the ODP guidelines, and you are honest about your affiliations and reason for editing, yes, I would say you stand a real chance.

Please note that I am not a meta-editor and do not process applications - i am giving you some general advice.

Ace Internet · Jun 2, 2004

Hi Alucard

Alucard said:
You have mentioned that the meta-editor that dealt wiuth your submissions gave you a reason, but you have only told us what it wasn't, not what it was. It's difficult to point you in the right direction without knowing that piece of information.

The second reason was:

- Spelling, capitalisation & grammar.
- Candidate descriptions not to guidelines.
- We very rarely list deeplinks.

By all means try for a third time, but you'll probably find it helpful to read our editor guidelines first.

The deep link I included in the application was very relevant for the catagory.

I then completely rewrote the application form scratch, with new descriptions, suggested links etc. This was checked, checked and checked again for errors.

I then got rejected 61 minutes later with the following reason:

Apart from the deeplink one, same as last time.

It is very frustrating, as I know I had addressed all the issues pointed out and submitted a completely new application.

old_crone · Jun 2, 2004

My guess is that the descriptions were non-guideline compliant, which is probably true for 90% of all applications. I don't review applications so this is only a guess. I was approved the first time applying but I've edited on other directories and had a good understanding of how to write a description for a directory. When I first started editing (not on the ODP), I truly had no clue, even though I read the guidelines more than once. It took me awhile to get that the description should be about the site not about the services, product and/or company. There are other things that aren't appropriate such as repeating the sites title and the category title in the description, promotional hype, and the use of third person references. Everything you need to know is in the guidelines. Understanding the guidelines is the key.

Don't take the rejections personal and try again.

romancito · Jun 2, 2004

I've had a similar experience, though I have applied five times over the course of six months. This last time, I have received the auto-reply that my application has been recieved, but it's been two weeks and the powers that be haven't bothered to explain why I'm rejected this time.

Though it is easy to feel your rejection is a personal grudge, I have found that all virtual communities (which ODP certainly is) are prone to the same kinds of territory hoarding and lack of faith in newcomers we experience in meat space (the physical world).

I figure, since I'm being paid to keep applying to ODP because ODP editorship would be a natural extension of my job, I might as well keep applying. Maybe I'll just wear them down.

theseeker · Jun 2, 2004

and the powers that be haven't bothered to explain why I'm rejected this time

Probably because you haven't been rejected yet. Your application is still waiting.

Callimachus · Jun 2, 2004

romancito said:
I figure, since I'm being paid to keep applying to ODP because ODP editorship would be a natural extension of my job, I might as well keep applying. Maybe I'll just wear them down.

How do get paid to do ODP work? I certainly wouldn't mind <tongue firmly in cheek>

donaldb · Jun 2, 2004

romancito said:
...prone to the same kinds of territory hoarding...

Territorial tendencies are something that is strongly frowned upon in the ODP. You would be hard pressed to find an editor who would say "my category" instead of "the category that I edit." There is a big difference in those two statements. Even if an editor did display a bit of a territorial inclination it would be something we would guide them away from very quickly.

That being said, category editors do not review new editor applications. Applications are reviewed by meta editors who can edit in the whole directory and who have no reason to be territorial about any categories. (I'm sort of territorial about my Polar_Region categories, but for some reason no one ever applies to edit there

)

For some reason people think that we get some kind of pleasure denying new editor applications. Why would we enjoy that? The more editors we have, the less editing we have to do ourselves

Besides, we actually join a heck of a lot of new editors every day. Usually, it's the people who get rejected though who are coming here to complain about it. The people who got accepted are too busy editing.

If your application got denied, make sure that you read the [thread=1289]FAQ and General Advice[/thread] thread in this forum, and the section of our Guidelines that I find very helpful that talks about writing titles and descriptions.

Something that I often find interesting is when people submit deeplinks as examples when they are applying to become an editor. Deeplinks are not illegal, but I sometimes have a tendency to think of them as almost a last resort type of listing, or filler. To be fair, there are some excellent web sites that are deeplinked throughout the ODP, I just don't always think of them as "web sites." I think that if you can't find three strong, content filled web sites to use as examples, then maybe that category doesn't really need an editor that badly. That's just a personal opinion and it doesn't influence how I would judge an application. If the deeplinks are appropriate to the category and the titles and descriptions are reasonably accurate then that's all that matters.

jimnoble · Jun 3, 2004

It's important to treat an application to become an ODP editor as seriously as you would any other job application. This means giving it some time and care.

When I'm reviewing applications, I don't worry overmuch if the proposed descriptions aren't quite up to scratch. I'm far more interested in honesty, communication skills, the ability to select appropriate candidate websites and attention to detail. Spelling/typing and grammar are strong indicators of the latter.

Sometimes, I'll ask a candidate to read our guidelines before trying again. If I happen to pick up their subsequent application, I'll expect to see evidence that they've done so. They're trying to impress, right? The results don't have to be perfect - they just have to be better. If a different meta picks it up, they should see a higher quality application than they would have done otherwise - which is also to the good isn't it?

Frankly, I don't think that spending less than 61 minutes to read and digest our editor guidelines and then carefully research and craft a bullet proof submission is enough. It seems like you need to get a better spell checker too.

Don't be disheartened. The reviewing meta gave been terse but usable advice and you've had more here. Please heed it and try again

Ace Internet · Jun 3, 2004

I don't think that spending less than 61 minutes to read and digest our editor guidelines and then carefully research and craft a bullet proof submission is enough.

The 61 minutes was the amount of time it took from me submitting the application to being rejected, and not the amount of time it took me to complete the application (which was MUCH longer).

jimnoble · Jun 3, 2004

Sorry - my lack of attention to detail

.

Was the 61 minutes comment a complaint or an expression of admiration for our efficiency

?

As you'll have already gathered, we look at applications very closely and it can sometimes take a lot of effort to process one all the way through to acceptance. However, if we find 'show stoppers', the application is going to be denied. Speaking only for myself, the evaluation process stops right there. It's very similar to doing triage on CVs in real life - except that we don't have the luxury of interviewing the likely looking ones before making the job offer.

Ace Internet · Jun 3, 2004

jimnoble said:
Was the 61 minutes comment a complaint or an expression of admiration for our efficiency ?.

Hi Jim

I felt that all the rejection replies happened VERY quickly. The first taking about 1 hour, and the third 1 hour also. I read on this board some applications waiting weeks.

I do not understand how the system works at your end for the approval/rejection, but if you receive so many applications, is it not strange that all the applications where rejected by the same person? Is there not more than one meta reviewer?

jimnoble · Jun 3, 2004

These points might help explain

It's a pile not a queue. For reasons that will become clear, there's no system to ensure that applications are processed in the order received.
Not all metas volunteer to evaluate applications.
Most applications are processed fairly quickly - we want editors.
The ones that wait around the longest are often in a language or subject area where we have few metas who judge themselves to be competent enough to do an evaluation.
Most metas tend to only process applications for areas that they understand. I wouldn't dream of handling one in biotechnology for example.

I have a suggestion for you. Don't focus on why we responded promptly; instead, focus on putting in an unarguably good application.

Jim

tshephard · Jun 3, 2004

Lot of subtleties to applying

From someone who isn't an editor and thinks ODP is pretty backward in a lot of ways, I have to admit there are a lot of subtleties to being an editor.

If you feel at a loss at what to do and still want to be an editor, probably the best thing is go through all the forum posts here. It'll give you a pretty good background on a lot of the various issues.

lisahinely · Jun 3, 2004

- Spelling, capitalisation & grammar.

Speaking as an American, they would have gotten me real quick on capitalization.

gimmster · Jun 3, 2004

capitalization vs capitalisation
for any non editor reading this - it is not an issue whether you use UK or US spelling, but you must use it consistently, and in keeping with the existing useage in the directory.
In International and Topical sub categories use whichever the site predominantly uses, in Regional, use the normal useage for the country.

ie don't apply for Regional....Australia and use US spelling.

:tree:

romancito · Jun 4, 2004

Callimachus said:
How do get paid to do ODP work? I certainly wouldn't mind <tongue firmly in cheek>

Alas, it's not ODP work she's willing to pay me for -- just the efforts toward ODP editorship.

romancito · Jun 4, 2004

donaldb said:
Territorial tendencies are something that is strongly frowned upon in the ODP.

I'm very glad to hear that. One more reason to persevere. I had read the FAQs and I have not submitted any deep links, ever, so perhaps my chances remain good as I remain steadfast.

pvgool · Jun 5, 2004

romancito said:
Alas, it's not ODP work she's willing to pay me for -- just the efforts toward ODP editorship.

You better read our Guidlines
and strongly discourage anyone from accepting or soliciting any form of compensation for their participation in the Open Directory

romancito · Jun 5, 2004

pvgool said:
You better read our Guidlines
and strongly discourage anyone from accepting or soliciting any form of compensation for their participation in the Open Directory

Okie dokie. I used her DSL connection and did it on company time. I'm out, guys. Put me in the discard pile.

Rejected 3 times in 24 hours by same mod.

Ace Internet

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Alucard

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Ace Internet

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old_crone

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romancito

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theseeker

Callimachus

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donaldb

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jimnoble

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Ace Internet

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jimnoble

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Ace Internet

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jimnoble

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tshephard

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lisahinely

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gimmster

romancito

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romancito

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pvgool

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romancito

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