We're looking to hire some talented staff to keep this shop alive and active; this time, we're looking for certists. Think you've got the drive to work regularly, and a desire to help out Soquili? Then this is the place for you!
Rules Please remember, this is a customer service position. A friendly personality, and being an ambassador to the shop, are traits we're looking for. Check your drama at the door and remember to be civil, regardless how you feel about people. We get that some people just don't click, or get along, and maybe you don't like fellow staff members. All that said, we are all volunteering our time here and you will be expected to deal with people you don't like civilly. We're a team, so please, keep the drama private. We understand sometimes people don't get along, and mistakes have been made in the past. We will not hold past mistakes against you, but do understand, if you have a drama-filled background, or we get many complaints from previous employers, this might dampen your chances of being hired. You may apply and be hired for multiple positions. Prior B/C experience is not required, so long as you are willing to learn. Discord is preferred but not required. We at Soquili do not need to explain why we choose the hires we do, or justify why we did not hire someone, and we may choose not to hire anyone at all. We do not have to give details on why one was not picked. Please note, that even if you are not hired now, this does not mean you shouldn't try again during future hire events. In July we announced our intent to change SC culture, and the large backlog that led to the decision. We still have work as old as 2015 waiting to be picked up, and while work is taken on by colorist interest more than by length of time, the effects of the backlog will be felt until it can be caught up, and there is no ETA for when this will be done. If you choose to apply, please understand what you will be getting into. If you have questions or concerns, please PM or DM them to Phail Ninja.
Applications Only use your own work in all categories. We have zero tolerance for art thieves, including plagiarism. Besides, we want to see what you can do, not what someone else can. Please be as accurate as you can. Letting us know you only have time twice a week will serve you better than telling us you can be online daily and coming on only once a week. What you put on your application is what we'll expect if we choose to hire you. (We understand unexpected emergencies and obligations may crop up; in such a case, we only ask you keep us informed.) If you have old works from past hiring attempts, we'd prefer if you put them in as "Other Samples" and make new samples for this event. We want to see what you can do now, not what you did last time. You won't be DQ'd if you do post old samples, but it may not win you any points, either. Applications are posted in this thread; however, certing samples are PM'd directly to Soquili Era. All certing samples should be sent together; they should not be PM'd separately. If you need to update your samples, please send a new PM; the new PM should have all samples. In addition, if you currently work for the shop, please indicate in your PM if you would like to migrate your primary position to "certist" if you are hired, or if the role will be secondary.
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 11:36 pm
Certists
....Requirements Certists are expected to fulfill certing requests. Files are shared via Dropbox; colorists must have an account or be willing to create one if hired. Certists will need Photoshop or some sort of editing program to create certs for Soquili. If your program is unable to handle folders and layers, you will not be able to work with the shop's files.
Responsibilities Work with other certists to fulfill requests posted in the General Certing Thread (GCT). Maintain the GCT directory. Post growth certs on time. Work with other certists to fulfill requested posted in individual certing threads as directed by upper management. Close retired individual certing threads as directed by upper management. As a rule of thumb, work should be done within a month.
Verify correct spelling of username, pet name, and parent names. For instance, copy and paste where possible, and use font that permit the pet name's symbols, if any. Gauge soquili and familiar breeds based on appearance. Following file naming conventions (to be provided upon hiring). Manage certing-related questions.
Pay Certists have recently been converted to a pay-per-cert system; see the spoiler below. Please be aware we have an SC backlog, mentioned in the first post.
Standard Cert 10c Standard cert before it became common to splice backgrounds. While text colors and cert decorations may be modified, the cert background comes premade and is largely unaltered, including: tags from the default tag gallery with no modifications, event certs, and adding familiars to soquili certs.
Complex Soquili Cert 30c Certs for a soquili where the background is spliced from multiple images.
Complex Familiar Cert 20c Certs for a familiar where the background is spliced from multiple images.
Standard Additions 5c Additions to an existing cert where the certist does not have the PSD, such as item additions or belly images.
Complex Additions 15c Complex additions to an existing cert where the certist does not have the PSD. As above, additions include item additions and belly images. An addition may be considered complex if they require above-average cert modification, such as additions that must be altered to account for transparencies, or additions where the silhouette is greatly affected (e.g. a pet with a large mane who gets a hood with the mane cropped out).
Variations 3c Variations are additions to a cert where the certist has the original cert PSD. Examples include growing stages or first generation pets who have multiple item uncerts provided in the initial cert request. Additional examples include accessory additions where the certist is the one who originally certed the pet, and the certist still has the PSD.
Activity Bonus 250c Obtain this bonus for every month you are active; this helps to cover miscellaneous work that is not directly compensated with the above.
Fulfilling 6 months of activity back-to-back entitles the tech staff to a break month where they are not obligated to work, and another staff may fill in. A cut is taken from event pay to share with eligible tech staff; however, the majority goes to colorist staff.
Application Your samples should show your abilities regarding customized decoration and background splicing. In addition, your samples should show your ability to recognize breeds; the breeds of the sample pets should be listed on your cert. Cert the samples listed below. Random samples were selected from the shop based on how much of a challenge they might provide for the two points above. If you recognize a pet, please keep it hush hush. ;) Note that there are no errors in the form; any spelling choices are intentional. Remember that the form is posted in this thread, while all certs created are PM'd to Soquili Era. All certs should be sent in one message.
Sample Pets (All eight must be certed; all samples are possible to complete with the provided cert file.)
Quote:
NEW PETS
Name: Bob Owner: Bobilicious Temper: BOBBY Method of Obtainment: Bobemon Event Colorist: Unstopppable
Name: owo Whomst This Owner: Dab Temper: N/A Method of Obtainment: Breeding: Doge (Gen 1) x Bannana (Gen 4) Colorist: Apple Smith, Granny Smith
Name: Eliza Owner: Sir Humphrey IIIIII Temper: Distant Method of Obtainment: Snowflake Surprise Colorist: [ Hello There ]
Name: Demi Burgess Owner: Ray Sutton Temper: N/A Method of Obtainment: Using a Name Generator at This Point Colorist: Lauren Dunn
Name: Villosa Owner: Barbarina Temper: Oake Method of Obtainment: Mock Breeding: Smee (Gen 3) x Thers (Gen 2) Colorist: Haldiphe
Quote:
ADDING ACCESSORIES
Add: the accessory and familiar (only one cert needs to be made with both changes); the familiar's name is Mouse.
Add: the pelted form. (No feral is necessary.)
Add: the scarred pelted and feral version. For this sample, there should be two certs (all other samples result in only once cert).
Form
[size=18][color=slateblue][b]CERTIST APPLICATION[/b][/color][/size] [b]Username:[/b] [b]Timezone:[/b] [b]Availability:[/b] (Describe how active you are. If we send you a message, how long should we wait until we can expect to hear back?) [b]Do you have Discord?[/b] Yes/No (You do not need to send us your Discord ID unless you are hired.)
[b]Prior B/C Experience:[/b] [b]Other Experience:[/b] [b]Please describe why you're interested in the shop and role, and describe why you feel you will be an appropriate fit:[/b]
[b]Are you good at communicating with others? If life starts to get hectic, or you start falling behind, what would you do?[/b] [b]If a customer fills out one of the forms wrong, what would you do?[/b] [b]If that same customer consistently fills out the form wrong, how would you handle the situation?[/b] (Please provide a specific example of the message you would send the customer as well.) [b]If a customer start complaining about why their certs are a day late, what would you do?[/b] (Please provide a specific example of the message you would send the customer as well.)
[b]Samples:[/b] All samples will be/have been PM'd to Soquili Era by the time this application is posted! (Note: If you currently work for the shop, indicate in your PM whether you would like "certist" to be a primary or secondary role if you are hired.)
[b]Other Samples:[/b] (Any samples that indicates you are reliable with consistent work and that you approach sensitive topics professionally and amicably will serve. Optional.)
Soquili Era Captain
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Soquili Era Captain
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Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 11:36 pm
Reserved
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:00 pm
CERTIST APPLICATION Username: xKOVAKtheWOLFx Timezone: PST Availability: I should be on Gaia at least every other day. I have Discord on my phone as well, so the longest you would wait for a response is around 8 hours, depending on work shift ; n; as of now, my availability is more open Do you have Discord? Yes
Prior B/C Experience: Labyrinth [colorist], My Little Dinos [certist], Herds of Azreth [colorist] Other Experience: Please describe why you're interested in the shop and role, and describe why you feel you will be an appropriate fit: Soquili was the reason that I actually joined Gaia about 10 years ago! I was always fascinated by seeing a different side of the B/C world (was an avid ChickenSmoothie, Horseland, Howrse player), and to see that there was a large assortment of breeds and familiars really caught my eye. I am interested in working with the shop because the shop is like my home on Gaia. I love the environment, the staff, the customers, everything. Certing is something that I can do to help myself keep busy (I do not really know how to "...relax" lol). I am a workaholic, so I like finding new things to do. I think that I am an appropriate fit because I am always willing to learn and improve. I believe I have an understanding of breeds, and enjoy doing behind the scenes things!
Are you good at communicating with others? If life starts to get hectic, or you start falling behind, what would you do? Communication is key! If I feel swamped or know that I would need a few days off, I will let the staff know. But I will do all the promised work that I owe/am to do prior to sending out that message. Sometimes, people burn out, and that's normal. But it's how we handle the situation is what matters. If a customer fills out one of the forms wrong, what would you do? I would let them know that there is a probable mistake and ask them if they meant to put that in the form, or if they meant something else. If that same customer consistently fills out the form wrong, how would you handle the situation?
Dear [ username ],
First off, I would like to thank you for putting the time to fill out the cert form. However, it has been noticed that you might be filling them out wrong incorrectly. It seems that the form is asking for [ information here ], but you fill it out as [ their information ]. I would like to kindly point out that it should be [ correct information here ].
If you have any other questions or concerns about certing your pets at Soquili, feel free to send me a message. (:
Best, xKOVAKtheWOLFx
If a customer start complaining about why their certs are a day late, what would you do?
Dear [ username ],
I would like to apologize for getting your certs out a bit later than expected! However, it must also be understood that even though we are staff, we also do have events happening in our own personal lives. I won't get into details with that, but please understand that we are doing our best to deliver our customers with our products with quality! I would try to do better in getting out the certs in time, but understand that scenarios could happen in real life too (e.g. wifi shuts down, asked to cover an extra shift at work, family visits, etc).
I will also have a work log public here, if you would like to check when future drops will be dropped!
Best, xKOVAKtheWOLFx
Samples: messaged!
Other Samples: n/a
xKOVAKtheWOLFx Crew
Trash
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AstoriaFallen Crew
Winter Wolf
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 7:42 pm
CERTIST APPLICATION Username: AstoriaFallen Timezone: EST Availability: I'm on 24/7 on discord and pop on gaia a great deal of time when I'm not at work. So at least a couple hours a day on gaiaonline. Do you have Discord? Yes Prior B/C Experience: I was a certist for Balam (for about 3-4 years) before it became Realm of the Woven recently; I am/was a certist/manager staff in Elykosi (which is on a hiatus currently); I own a pride in Shadows of Africa (which requires me to keep members lists updated, hold annual events and periodic pride ORPs) Other Experience: Other experience would be 8 Years Active Duty Army as an NCO (which is a managerial like position for those uncertain of ranks in the military). I was in charge of at a minimum of three people (up to 12) at a time and had to counsel them monthly and given them daily guidance), so being able to express myself verbally and describe what I was asking (in both written and verbal form) was something I became very well at. I was a cocktail waitress for 2 years which required me to take and remember orders in a high volume environment. I was an executive assistant in the pentagon for a period of time in which I had to manage schedules, make travel plans, rearrange meetings, respond to emails and maintain a level of high professionalism at all times. (I was working with important members of high ranking military as well as other high ranking personnel within the government). Please describe why you're interested in the shop and role, and describe why you feel you will be an appropriate fit: Ever since I've gotten well established in SOQ I've gotten to know a number of the customers and staff members and it's made me want to further root myself within it. I just really like all you beautiful people and want to help out <3 Are you good at communicating with others? If life starts to get hectic, or you start falling behind, what would you do? I would say that I am pretty well versed in communicating with others, even in stressful or high anxiety situations. If RL suddenly takes a curve for the worst I have no problem letting anyone know the basics of what is going on and inform them of my change of availability. I would first inform upper management in any changes that it might have on my work (if any), and then post a public message to the rest of the shop goers of any delays it might cause and how long the delays would last for. I would also include a period of time in which my work should return to normal. If a customer fills out one of the forms wrong, what would you do? I would edit the post and quote them, informing them of their error and ask them to correct the noted errors I would list and ask them to just quote me once the corrections have been made and not to repost a new form. If that same customer consistently fills out the form wrong, how would you handle the situation? I would send them a personal message on the site informing them that they have continued to use the wrong request and show them where they have made the previous errors. I would then ask them if anything about the forms are misleading or at all confusing to them and let them know that if they are uncertain of which forms to use they are more than welcome to PM or DM me with any questions so that I may better assist them when they are making their requests.
Hello!
I know there are a lot of forms that we use so it can be quite daunting when filling out requests.
If at any point things seem confusing please don't hesitate to message me with any questions, I am more than happy to provide guidance and even explain what each form is for.
It seems that on (insertlinksforpoststhataredonewrong) such and such date you requested a specific cert but posted the wrong form for what you were hoping to have accomplished. I did quote you in your post and informed you of the necessary changes that needed to be made. If you don't have quote notifications on it's possible that you might have missed my notifications, which happens!
If you need anything explained or would like help with any future requests please feel free to message me!
Respectfully,
Astoria
If a customer start complaining about why their certs are a day late, what would you do? (I'm going to assume that the day late means a month and one day after the date in which they posted for their cert and it was picked up, since staff have 30 days to complete tasks -if I recall correctly?-. So the following will be going by that bit of information). Depending on if life had been hectic or I had simply missed the link when posting certs it would be completely circumstantial as to how I'd reply so here is a generic reply for if it was just missed when uploading.
Hello!
Sorry for the delay, I know how important it is to have one's certs for their characters. Due to human error I missed the link for your cert when completing the last drop. I do apologize if it's caused any inconvenience to you.
Respectfully,
Astoria
Samples: All samples will be/have been PM'd to Soquili Era by the time this application is posted! (Note: If you currently work for the shop, indicate in your PM whether you would like "certist" to be a primary or secondary role if you are hired.)
Other Samples: Some Work Log from Balam You should be able to check drops/posts to see regularity to the cert request---> cert drop. (too much work to just copy and paste here, plus PB >:[ Previous Certist Application Attempt
certs for Elykosi/Pets I colored:
Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 8:39 pm
CERTIST APPLICATION Username: Nyx Queen of Darkness Timezone: EST Availability: I'm on every day usually for several hours. Unless, I'm out running errands/at an appointment there should normally be a response within 8 hours.
Not sure if this has any bearing on your decision, but I have no ambition to do anything other than Tech Staff work ( ie, no ambitions of getting a foot in the door to color and thus leave the position I'd taken needed to be filled again).
Do you have Discord? Yes
Prior B/C Experience: Previously worked at some shops doing an owner's list and lore. Both shops have been closed for years, both owners have left gaia, and as far as I can see the threads no longer exist. So despite the previous work, there's not really anything I can show for it.
Other Experience:
Ran 24 authors, 24 tributes (a fanfiction collaboration written by 24 authors into one cohesive story) after the initial person running it left. I organized about 12-14 authors at that time (some characters had been killed off). Set up a storyline led by the characters and made logical choices on which characters would die next (because of wounds, status of sponsorship, etc.) This was a large fanfiction collective for the Hunger Games.
I also organized follow-up stories in what-if scenarios (What if *name* had won?) I set a release schedule and generally corralled a bunch of people into getting things in on time with revisions.
This brought recognition to my own fanfiction stories on the Hunger Games resulting in an interview that was included in an article in the Wall Street Journal.
In high school, I did some in school substitution/teacher's aide in a K5 class of about 12 students. I kept them organized and working. I answered questions calmly and explained things that they didn't understand. I helped where needed and instilled confidence for them to try again since there's no shame in having to learn an ask for help. It is my hope that by presenting a positive learning environment where questions could be asked that it would help them be more confident students.
In college, as an aide I graded papers and in general did whatever my professor asked me to do.
Please describe why you're interested in the shop and role, and describe why you feel you will be an appropriate fit:
I have loved soquili for a very long time. There's just something about the setting, the style, and the people that drew me in. I love the sense of community and the open welcoming environment. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?
In all honesty, I learned with some instruction from a friend how to use photoshop. Previously, I'd only been able to do very minor things. Through a lot of self-teaching, trial and error, and the help of a friend I have learned how to manipulate some highly customizable banner psds that I had been unable to use myself for years. Over a few weeks time, I got comfortable with it. I'm still a work in progress and very eager to learn. Before this hiring, I have never certed before except in CYO's. I feel that shows I am a quick, willing learner who is eager to work and try new things.
I have come a long way in a short time and I feel confident that if given the chance, I can excel.
Are you good at communicating with others? If life starts to get hectic, or you start falling behind, what would you do?
Yes, I am.
I would contact upper management to let them know the issue. I would be open and honest about whatever was causing me to be unable to keep up with things in a timely manner. I would also give an ETA on how long it would take for the situation to resolve.
My intentions are, though, that whatever work I take on I'll complete in days instead of waiting till closer to the due date. I prefer to stay on top of or ahead of my work if at all possible.
If a customer fills out one of the forms wrong, what would you do?
I would point out the issue with the form in a kind and constructive manner. As long as it was not something that prevented me from knowing what the request meant, I would go ahead and fulfill it after sending a heads up.
If that same customer consistently fills out the form wrong, how would you handle the situation?
I would politely contact them to see if there was something that was unclear in the form or if there was something specifically unclear for them.
A broad based, generic idea of a PM.
Hey,
Your recent cert request had a few issues *insert here*. I've noticed that you've had some issues with the form before and I was wondering if there was some way I could assist you? Is there something that's unclear in the form? I would love to talk with you and see if we can figure this out.
-Nyx
If a customer start complaining about why their certs are a day late, what would you do? (Please provide a specific example of the message you would send the customer as well.)
I would check my worklog first before replying. Then I'd apologize if the cert was late or let them know if (and why) the cert was not late. Though my intentions are to do certs in batches as claimed within a day or two. If this was in regards to a set of growings that had been handed over for me to post with certs, I would apologize and go upload them immediately.
Sample if the cert is late:
Hey,
I'm sorry that your certs are a day late. Sometimes life (be it internet connectivity or remembering the date) gets in the way. I apologize for the lapse, wherever it occurred and will have your certs to you momentarily.
This thread is now closed while we discuss applications; thank you for your entries!
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 6:37 am
Hello all! We've made our final decisions on hiring, thanks for being patient with us!
We're excited to announce that both AstoriaFallen & xKOVAKtheWOLFx will be joining us as our new certists!
For those of you wondering about the right answers to our breed identification, they're in the spoiler below.
Bob is a mutant Nymph-Imp-Putti (mutant because of feet + back wings + mouth + feathers nymph because of ears/tail putti because of templated putti wings imp because of horns!)
owo Whomst This is a mutant Mutant Unicorn/Cerynei/Kalona/Kirin/Kelpi/Hippogryph/Ulun'suti (mutant - four claws unicorn - horn cerynei - ears kalona - horns kirin - scales kelpi - fins (legs & side) + tail hippogryph - clawed feet ulun'suti - leg spikes, horns)
Eliza is an angeni (fetlocks + headwings)! We also accepted angeni-hippogryph, as it was unclear if her feathers were accessories or not. She is not kirin - her scales are markings only.
Demi Burgess is a seathi-nixie-nymph (seathi based nixie fish fins + crossbreed with land breed nymph ears) She is not a mutant, as she has no mutant traits!
