PGC is Hiring!

by Jonathan Metts - January 23, 2006, 3:06 pm EST
Total comments: 26

The evaluations are underway.

The deadline has passed, and we are now making our final selections from the top applicants. Those selected for the job (probably two people) will be notified later this week.

As always, I am humbled by the enthusiastic response to our volunteer positions. With dozens of great applicants for a job with essentially no qualifications, it is very hard indeed to choose just one or two people. If you are not selected, please accept my sincerest gratitude for the offer to help. I wish we could hire everyone with an interest in contributing, but it's just not practical.

PGC has never been about making money, but we are rich in more important ways. Thanks again for reminding me of that fact.

- Jonny

Talkback

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJanuary 23, 2006

Is it really "Hiring" if there's no pay?

Karl Castaneda #2January 23, 2006

There are "other" methods through which we are kept happy.

*cough*Strippers*cough*

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorJanuary 23, 2006

It's a highly competitive volunteer job. I'm probably going to get several dozen applications for this job, and I have to choose one out of those. That's hiring.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJanuary 23, 2006

I sent my app in as usual with these things. Good luck to everyone else who applies.

ib2kool4u912January 23, 2006

I actually came into this thread to ask how many people apply for these positions on average. Several dozen is more than I expected.

Go PGC

breakyboyAndres Rojas, Staff WriterJanuary 23, 2006

I remember doing this when the site transitioned from PlanetN2k to PGC.

Hell, I think my doing that is what got me hired, considering I wasn't officially staff when I was doing that.

Memories *wipes tear*

wanderingJanuary 24, 2006

I guess even asking this might disqualify me, but...

How long would you need/expect this person to work? Months and months? Or years and years?

Berto2KJanuary 28, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: wandering
I guess even asking this might disqualify me, but...

How long would you need/expect this person to work? Months and months? Or years and years?

I think I can safely answer from my own experience. They are probably looking for someone who can commit to putting in some length of time. If you just looking to jump on the get into E3 that is looked upon very badly. I have had that experience with some of my staff and they didn't last long at all. As far as I know there is no definite commitment you have to make, but I don't know the PGC hiring methods only my own.

Idealy it is something that if you want to do it, you could keep doing it indefitenly without it getting into and affecting your regular job and life to a degree. The relaunching of a site, and starting up new coverage and all is a very exciting time. At the same time it can be very strenuous on some. For a position like this the hardest would be at the start with what Johnny has describe above with fixing the game infos of old. But as that gets down and your only dealing with Rev, GBA, and DS stuff it will get easier.

If you've got the free time and want to contribute it is awesome to know that your work is informing thousands of people (maybe more) around the world with these guys. They are a good group (the few I've met at least).

wanderingJanuary 29, 2006

Thanks, Berto. I'm sure you're right about the job being rewarding...and I could definitely see myself doing it indefinitely. Looking back, I'm not sure why I made that post, and am kind of wishing I hadn't. I guess my initial impression was that the job was going to be a temporary one, and when I saw that it probably wasn't, I started reeling with thoughts like 'they want someone to work for years on databases with no pay?' and 'what if I join, and then something comes up?'

Oh, and I'd never apply just to get into E3. Actually, I wasn't even thinking E3 would be an option for a lowly data editor.

Still undecided about whether or not I'll apply. I'm not worried about whether or not I'll be accepted so much as I am about whether or not I'll disappoint PGC staff if I am accepted, so I don't want to commit until I'm 100% sure I could commit to it and do a good job. It'd be a dream come true to work here, though...I love this site and have been reading it since forever.

Karl Castaneda #2January 29, 2006

Better do it today, wandering. It's the deadline.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJanuary 29, 2006

Can I get hired as an "E3" reporter? Is there such a position? I could totally give the "Outsider's Viewpoint" to all your expert and expierenced reviews.

PryopizmStan Ferguson, Staff AlumnusJanuary 29, 2006

I've decided to hire myself as my personal secretary. From now on I'll be in charge of screening my calls and responding to my email.

wanderingJanuary 29, 2006

I thought it (the deadline) was monday morning? Dang, hang on.

EDIT: Well, I submitted an application.

Hey, it's still Sunday in certain parts of the US...heh, heh, heh...*sob*

Good luck to everyone else who entered.

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorFebruary 01, 2006

This is not a temporary position. There will be a lot of work up front, leading to, during, and after E3. Once the new database fields are completed, and all of the old database entries have been checked for accuracy (a job which Windy has already started), the Data Editor(s) will be responsible for making sure that newly announced products are entered into the system and that periodically refreshed data (release dates) are updated. It's going to be a lot of work to track down and maintain this stuff, especially for Japanese games and regions where data is harder to acquire (Europe and Australia). But the end result will be very special: a comprehensive database for all modern Nintendo-platform games that is equally useful for readers across the globe.

My expectation is that the job will be easier to commit to at first, because it will be so hectic and involving. Once the intial information is entered, and the entries merely need ongoing maintenance, that's when your devotion and work ethic really count. It's harder to take care of something than it is to fix it. We're looking for someone who can do both, and maybe some other stuff on the side.

bustin98February 01, 2006

I wish I had the time to apply. As a web designer/webmaster I love programming projects that involve databases. One of my biggest concerns is keeping data integrity across the board. Anything that can be misspelled or catagorized incorrectly - will. Good luck to the applicants.

Sometimes I dream my job would pay in strippers . . .

wanderingFebruary 01, 2006

Thanks for the clarifaction, Jonny.

Quote
My expectation is that the job will be easier to commit to at first, because it will be so hectic and involving. Once the intial information is entered, and the entries merely need ongoing maintenance, that's when your devotion and work ethic really count. It's harder to take care of something than it is to fix it. We're looking for someone who can do both, and maybe some other stuff on the side.

Continual, tedious volunteer work builds character!

I've said it before: I'll follow you guys til the end of forever.

Karl Castaneda #2February 06, 2006

Met a few of the new guys today. None of them smell like fresh meat. I've been lied to!

KnowsNothingFebruary 06, 2006

You'll always be the new guy in my heart.

Karl Castaneda #2February 06, 2006

Sigh... I have a feeling I'll never shake off the JR. treatment, probably because I'm the youngest staffer.

We need to hire some kids to fix that. For realz.