Applied yesterday...denied today.

So, I applied to be a mentor yesterday and today I received an email saying my application was denied. It was not a personalized email...and it said that due to the volume of applications they couldn't give me a reason for the denial. It suggested that my application might be incomplete or have inappropriate content. It said I could reapply, and that I should make sure that my submission is "correctly spelled, complete, appropriate, and give sufficient evidence" of my experience.

I'm really confused. I know the application was complete as all that is required is that you indicate the language you speak and write a 500 character (or less) statement saying why you would make a 'great Mentor'. I meet the basic qualifications--I've been in SL for a year and a half and I have never been AR'd or anything like that. I see no glaring spelling or grammar issues. I would reapply, but I have no idea what was offensive about my statement. Here is what I submitted:



Not my best writing, but I was limited to 500 characters. Anyway, I didn't expect to be approved right away, but rejected? Anyone see what makes me unsuited for the job?

I suspect they're just not accepting any more applications just now.

Don't feel bad...even if your application had been accepted, you could wait for a year to get it approved.

Instead of fretting, why not join one of the many Resident-run helper groups? NCI, Help People!, The Birdies, GQ Start, and others are all doing a great job of supplementing the "official" Linden-approved volunteers.

Or just TP to Orientation Island Public, Help Island Public, the Welcome Area, or any Infohub and hang out for a while. There'll be plenty of newcomers who need your help.

And pick up a Newcomers Information Kit from Lucrezia Lamont. If nothing else, you can hand out copies to every newbie you meet.

But if they aren't accepting applications, why tell me that I have been denied for some reason and encourage me to reapply--only better? That would be an exercise in futility.

I do appreciate all the info about the other volunteer programs. Thanks!

Did you ever get either a warning or a suspension (or on an alt if you have one/any)?

As far as I know, mentors need a clean slate to be accepted. Not implying that's the reason at all if you know you never did anything wrong .

If you feel really strongly about it, you could try and make it to Blue's office hours as well, and ask him if he'd be willing to look into it at all. Could just be a glitch too .

I applied a year ago.

I was accepted about a month ago.

After two days of listening to god awful spam on the mentor group IM, I quit.

Well, ok, *they* didn't think is was god awful spam, but it made me crazy(er).

Today, I received an acceptance of my resignation.


In 1979 I applied for a job, two years later, I received a postcard saying I made the short list. Still waiting to hear if I got the job.

I do have a perfectly clean slate. Another person sent me an IM suggesting I need to put more 'meat' into the essay--more hard facts and less gushing (that's my paraphrasing of what she said). I can see her point, and fully admit that I didn't spend much time crafting my application, but I didn't think this was about me writing the best essay. I just don't get why everyone sits in the cue for months or a year, but something about me makes me boot-worthy in a day.

And it isn't like I care *that* much or am that upset about it--it just seems weird, that's all.

I just got denied *again* and I didn't even re-apply! Apparently, I am so undesirable they had to tell me twice.

Hey Ivy,

When I read your short essay, I sort of got an impression that being a Mentor would be a perfect opportunity for you to steer new residents into your rentals. I KNOW that is not your intent, but you might want to rephrase it in a way that doesn't give the reader that hint of a conflict of interest. I may be full of it, but as long as you're stumped, maybe it's worth a try.

Good luck, and try it again -- I hope you make it!
-Avion

This seems a bit silly and repetitive, but maybe they want you to actually state that you speak English? Even though it's clear from your application, maybe there's something that scans each application and specifically looks for a mention of a language you speak. I dunno, that's the only thing I can think of, it looks good to me otherwise!

LOL Ivy!!! You are now stuck in que and you will be denied over and over again until a trouble ticket is created and the emails stop. *laughs* Actually I think that you were denied because of the heart shape dot at the top of your i's! I have heard the rumor that Linden Lab tosses any application immediately when that is done! <3

Lab of the people of Linden communicating hard often time have. Have also they not forthrightness the statment make affirmatively to negative. Confusing they are than wanting to call a handsaw a hawk.

You don't so much learn Lindenspeak as you do become accustomed to it.

So funny, Malachi and milady! *laughs*

Avion, what you said about conflict of interest being a concern could be true. I didn't really think of that. But screening out all business-owners? And let's say I didn't own a business, but just worked at a club or a clothing store or a cottage rental business--those people have a conflict of interest as well. How do they screen them?

Hikari, the only question they do ask in another part of the form is what languages you speak. I can't imagine many people restate it in their essay, but who knows?

I'm stumped. I think it is either a glitch or maybe someone made a complaint about me that I never heard a word about...is that possible? And if so, would that be something on my 'permanent record'? I can't even think of anything that I have done that would be something someone would complain about...but again, who knows?

Thanks for the feedback.

I would suggest changing "newbies" to "new users" or something similar. Sounds unprofessional to call people newbies if you are expected to be a professional representing LL. I have been apart of, run and moderated many forums over the last 10 years and people don't like being called newbies. Although people are starting to be less sensitive about it I don't think it is good form for a representative to use that term.

Just a thought. Good luck if you re-apply.

I'd get rid of "lots and lots" in your essay. Sounds too "young" if you know what I mean. "Many" might be better?

Ivy - I really don't think it had anything at all to do with your application. I was recently approved and my application was far less detailed than yours. The difference? I emailed Blue and then when I noticed his name had been repalced with Amber's, I emailed her as well. Sort of like the eager prospective employee who calls and checks on the status of his application.

I am under the impression that there is now a automated system for reviewing applications. I think this went into effect when the in-world time requirement was increased to 6 months. This may explain the repeated notices that you have been denied. Since notices went out on 10/8...there may have been a "cut off" date for applications.

Ianna

SL's given us mentors the shaft already anyways, even if you had gotten accepted, nothing would have changed, other then your belonging to one more group who will yell at you for using the public channel
being a mentor is more of a state of mind then anything else, and you dont need "offical" permission to get out there and start educating your fellow sims.

since SL cut all education funding, and removed the mentor teching areas, there is really very little reason to be an offical mentor anymore ive found.. half the applicants nowadays just wanna be in the group, or wear the instructor tag, for the slight sense of power it entails, but in reality its just annother lazy user group.

if teaching is your passion, dont let LL stand in your way, hold class events at your home, on or an a freinds parcel.. you dont need anyones permission, and LL wouldent be able to help you, even had you been accepted.

That was my first reaction also. Not your intent, but I'm sure it jumped out at them just as it did me. I would eliminate that comment completely. You also do need more meat in it. You need to stress specifically what you can do for them.

I also agree with the comments that it didn't seem polished enough. More like a fun reactionary decision on your part rather than an earnest attempt to get the job.

Thanks for all the great feedback on the essay, and the good information about the process and the actual experience of being an 'official' mentor.

I'm the first to admit that I didn't put a lot of thought or time into my essay--frankly, I didn't think it was necessary--and yes, it was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision, although I had been thinking about doing it for a long time. I suppose that all shows in the essay.

However, despite the essay being mostly just eager poorly-written fluff, I still don't see why it warrants immediate dismissal--particularly when the reasons given in the email I received (three times now!) were saying it was due to the application being incomplete, offensive...or possibly fraught with typos. *desperately hoping she spelled fraught correct, but too lazy to look it up* And of course, this assumes I don't have a criminal record that I am unaware of. And that they aren't automatically ruling out potentially self-interested business-owners. And for the record, pushing new residents to my cottages wasn't my intent at all with this. Our occupancy rates are great and I feel no need to push unsuspecting new folks into renting cottages or to even mention them.

I think I will follow the example of Ianna and try to reach Amber--for curiosity if nothing else--and then follow the advise of Mordred and reach out in an unofficial way. I did want the tag--not for having a sense of power as I have plenty of power in my own little slice of SL--but more for looking 'official' and for easily sending the message that I am available and willing to answer questions. Also, I thought there might be an official teaching spot or gathering area where mentors put in most of their time. If I offer classes or discussions unofficially, it would have to be on my cottage sim, and then it looks like I am just trying to drive up traffic. *sighs*

Or I could forget about the whole thing.

Ivy...

I don't know why your application was denied - any comment on that would be pure speculation on my part.

However, I would like to make a few comments to clear up some (apparent) misconceptions about the SL Volunteer program.

Contrary to what some may believe, Mentors do NOT receive any special benefits, powers or authority.

Nor do Mentors have any place in particular to offer classes to other residents... we do the same as you can do right now: offer the class on our own land, or get involved with NCI or TUi or ASL (or others) which have teaching areas already set up.

As others have mentioned, there is nothing stopping you from hanging out on Help Island Public or Orientation Island Public - or anywhere else - and offering help to other people. There are a number of "Help" type groups that you can join... You can wear an attachment that floats "I'm here to help you" above your head... You can start your own group, and give yourself an "Ask me for help" tag to wear...

So - what's the point of becoming an "official" Volunteer?

Well, some people feel more comfortable offering advice to other residents while wearing the "official" Mentor tag... also, some residents feel more comfortable *asking* for advice from a person wearing the Mentor tag.

The only *significant* difference between an "official" Volunteer and any other resident is that Mentors have access to the Orientation and Help Islands where new accounts first arrive. It is often a better place to offer help and advice, as *everyone* there is brand new and in the same situation - just trying to figure the place out.

Don

------ Very Important Disclaimer ------

The comments and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone. I am NOT an employee of LL, nor do I speak on behalf of LL. You are free to disagree with anything I have said. In fact, if you feel you have better ideas or more accurate information, I *encourage* you to speak your piece.

------ Very Important Disclaimer ------

Ivy I actually applied to be a mentor a long time ago and the other day I was accepted.

When/if you re-apply make sure you include everything and anything that might be of use for them to consider your application and word it in a way that shows that you have the ability to do what you are asking to be considered for.

If you get rejected again then maybe wait a month or 2 and then apply again.

Also do you own and rent out land ingame? If you do maybe you are being rejected for that reason as maybe they think you ight not be able to do everything you have on your plate and they don't want to give you even more to do.

Look there could be many many reasons why you have been rejected and like some of the other people have said just go around helping people on your own if you want to. That might even get you the foot in the door to become a mentor.

Anyway good luck and don't let the situation get to you.

I have wandered out of my usual realm of Resident Answers out of boredom...lol

I came across this post and have taken the liberty of rewriting your application while trying to keep the general ideas you tried to convey. If this appeals to you, please use it. If you have already been accepted as a mentor, congratulations. If you don't like it, that's ok; don't mind me.

(it is 482 characters)




There are a few reasons why I desire to become a Mentor. First, I want to assist new members in a friendly, professional, and patient manor. Second, I have been a resident in Second Life since April of 2006; some areas I am knowledgeable in include: building, scripting, groups, profiles, role playing, and consumer affairs. I feel that each individual is important, and enriching a single person's experience benefits Second Life as a whole. I look forward to a reply regarding this application.

Wow. I get to correct Don. This is a rarity.
Mentors do get the special benefit of access to SL Volunteer Islands. I could tell you what we do there, but then your account will have to be banned.

Ivy you obviously have loads of skills and experiences to impart to Newbies but I was struck by the lack of personal qualities you may have but failed to describe ....you didn`t mention things like being `open minded`....having a`sense of humour` some `degree of empathy`....`not easily shocked ` etc..... all things needed to make a Newbie feel welcome before they go on to the greater things in SL

Well, sense of humor can be a dangerous thing. A joke may come off very badly if you don't know your audience; and that's practically a guarantee in SL.

As a newbie, I'd say the most important thing a mentor can provide is answers to the same questions over and over again. Like "how do I wear this?" or "Where do I go for ..." or "how do you ...". Someone who has answers is a great person to meet. Sympathy for the plight of the newbie is the only thing necessary for providing the necessary level of patience.

I was thinking about becoming a mentor, because I thought it would be fun. I've helped out several newer-than-me newbies with learning the ropes, and it's a rewarding feeling to know you can help. However, hearing in this thread about the spamming of Mentors gives me more than adequate disincentive to pursue that path.

I have a suggestion - and maybe people can comment - for people who want to mentor but not apply:

Get Dragon Titler, and command it "/1 dt red Ask me for Help" and hang out in an infohub.

What about that idea?

I find that they have a whle of bad mentors out there but some good ones too. Maybe they arent taking applications anymore. Thats something that I would like to take on myself. For the ones that really want it should get it. Not the ones that want to show to the newbies, or noobies and think they are better than everyone else. I hopes you get it though and if you arent doing to show off to newbs more power to you.

They should get rid of the unhelpful ones. I would reapply if I was you.