News - 2014 to the future FEEDBACK

**Inseriousity.** · 15-06-2014, 07:03 PM

Habbox got to a stage where it was popular enough not to need to worry about recruitment. Applications open, there was always a sufficient supply and in some departments, could actually choose people on quality. Took me 3 tries to get in the articles department back when Professor-Alex was in charge. Nowadays, departments so desperate for staff they hire everyone who's good enough with the idea to just train them up from good enough. A writing department is difficult to recruit for as it is and I do think it's a wider issue here. It seems to only be HxL who seems to have avoided it and I imagine a large part of that is that it naturally attracts those younger members who are more willing to work for fansites (with a strong management team in place for a sustained period of time to back it up).

I say all that because managing news atm seems to be more about trying to build a stable team before any changes can be implemented. That was certainly the case when I was manager. I agree with Martin that it needs a manager that can lead by example and if they can't do that, they should resign (as drew and I did) or be fired. I believe general management can no longer just leave managers to deal with plugging their own individual recruitment gaps, which still seems to be case. It requires radical ideas to get people here (or staying here as the case may be) and these are not currently forthcoming.

Brad · 15-06-2014, 07:11 PM

I enjoy reading these feedback sand experiences from other past managers. It gives me an understanding what is needed, and yes- I know I'm finishing my trial- but always something to start.

**Martin** · 15-06-2014, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by bikini

I enjoy reading these feedback sand experiences from other past managers. It gives me an understanding what is needed, and yes- I know I'm finishing my trial- but always something to start.

That's what feedback is all about I guess

Although really if you don't know what is needed you should be able to talk to your manager about it and they should be able to give you the guidance and reassurance needed to ensure you're feeling happy and knowledgeable within the department

Obviously things change a lot over the years, so chances are News *cough articles* isn't really the same as it was years ago, but the foundations and general idea are still similar

The most important thing is to just enjoy it! There's nothing worse than doing something and not putting your heart into it, and not enjoying the results! It's all about being proud of what you've written, knowing that others will read it and benefit from it, as well as Habbox getting something out of it too!

You're always super good at engaging with the readers in your articles which is something I love! You really make them your own!

Obviously its really cool when the ideas and input come from staff members within the said department too, so definitely don't be afraid to give your ideas to management and stuff, however small as it could make a big difference!

Staff will obviously not stick around if they don't a) have a passion for doing the job at hand, and b) don't feel motivated to do so, and its down to management to ensure that the core support, advice and help is there, and that there is a team bond. A very important thing of working at Habbox is feeling part of a team, and I don't think I would have stuck around so long had it not been for some of the amazing people I got to talk to within the departments I worked in! Helping each other, discussing ideas, making new friends and having fun is what its all about, and the rest will follow naturally!