"Khar Shian Campus: Leadership Applications"

1—Introduction

Every so often a position of authority/responsibility will open up in the Dark Brotherhood and the person who oversees the position will ask for applications from members who want the job. Part of getting any job, in real life or in the DB, is to present yourself in the best possible light. This is even more important if you are dealing with people you do not know or do not know you well. A good application will do just that.

Please note that this test will provide you with a general application for almost any position. All applications should cover this same basic information, but the format outlined here is not mandatory. It is okay to personalize your application. Please note, the examples provided are entirely fictitious.

2—Positions

First, a quick review of the types of positions and to whom you would apply:

• Dark Council - Apply to Grandmaster, Deputy Grand Master
• Dark Council Staff - DC member with the open position (usually CC Praetor unless that is the position open)
• Consul - Apply to Grandmaster, Deputy Grandmaster
• Proconsul - Apply to Consul
• Quaestor - Apply to Consul, Proconsul
• Aedile - Apply to Quaestor (possibly CC Consul and Proconsul)
• Battleteam Leader - Apply to Quaestor, Aedile

Always CC anyone else listed in the announcement.

You should always read announcements to see if any special requests are made of whom to send the application to. For example, a Quaestor accepting applications for the Aedile position may ask you to send your application to the Consul and Proconsul of the clan as well.

Once you’ve decided to apply for a position that has become open, you should begin writing the application. First, checking what the person requesting the application is looking for, including, but not limited to:

• Specific rank and/or experience
• Time in the DB
• Specific subject line for e-mail

If you don’t include what they are looking for specifically, they will likely ignore your application.

Finally, and most importantly, always check the basic job requirements. This information may be found in the Codex or by asking someone knowledgeable of the position (you may even ask the person requesting applications, should you wish to do so).

3—When and When Not to Apply

Do apply:

• When you have an interest in the position
• When you believe that you are qualified. Trust your own judgment in the end
• For smaller positions first (such as battleteam leader before QUA) if you’ve never held a position before.

Don’t apply:

• For positions that are not open (in other words, don’t offer services to someone when a spot is filled)
• If you know of personal time limitations in the near future.
• For positions open in other clans (unless specifically asked for on the DB page) or for newly opened positions, such as when a new DC member is appointed (you should wait until they ask for applications).

4—The Application

Start with identifying yourself and your reason for e-mailing them. This is the introduction for your application and will let the reader know the most basic, but most important information: he/she has a potential candidate for the job.

Ex: I am KAP Torg and I am applying for the position of Quaestor of House Bun-Bun of Clan Sluggy Freelance

The Body of the Application
The body allows you to explain the following:

• Who you are
• Why you want the job
• Your ability to do the job
• What you intend to do with the position IF you get it
• Recommendations

If the person asking for applications requests specific information, it should go in the body as well (very often, they will ask for what I just listed). It is recommended you use separate paragraphs or bullet points for each point within the body. A recommended format includes the following information.

• Who are you?
  Time in the DB
  
  You should focus on active time in the Brotherhood. If you have been in the DB for three years, but only two of those years were spent on the active roster, then you make note of this.
  
  Past positions (if any), time spent in those positions, and, most importantly, what you did in that position. Why does the experience with those jobs suit you for another?
  
  DB career to date (participation level, master, etc).
  
  Ex: I have been in the DB for 2 years and I formerly served for eight months as Tetrarch of Gywnn’s Fury and I currently serve as Aedile of House Bun-Bun. I have held this position for six months. During my time in the DB, I have maintained a high level of activity, as seen in the numerous awards I have received. I have completed ten Shadow Academy exams.
  
  
• Reason(s) for wanting the job/Ability to do the job
  Do you want to advance further? Think you’d do a good job?
  
  
  Ex: Not only do I wish to advance further in the DB, but I have also helped shape the course of the house over the past several months and I wish to continue this course. I believe I am ready to take on the role of Quaestor and I have several ideas for activity in the house and outside the house. The members of the house know me well and I get along with them.
  
  
• Intentions if you get the job
  What will you do with the job? What are your ideas to improve the house/clan/DC office/DB as a whole.
  This is the most important thing in the entire application. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are for a job if you do not have some type of vision for the job itself and the unit/office you will be commanding.
  
  Ex: Given our recent victory in the last DB-wide competition, I want to continue this trend. I will cut dead weight from the house to increase efficiency and the activity percentage. If I get the job, I will continue to be as active as possible because leading by example is one of the best, most effective methods of leadership.
  
  
• Recommendations
  These come from past leaders, or even your fellow peers, though a person’s position recommending you will have weight. Former/current leaders are the best for recommendations. Tell how you know them.
  Recommendations are usually a list a people who will recommend you, or you might think will provide a recommendation if asked.
  
  You can ask someone to e-mail the person accepting applications on your behalf.
  
  Ex: The following people will recommend me for this job:
  Former QUA Zoe, who introduced me to the DB and trained me in how to be a leader and who encouraged me activity.
  Current P:DGM and former PCON Riff who was my first battleteam leader and he helped me get adjusted to the battleteam.
  
  

5—The Closing

The closing finalizes everything for the application. It should include a thank you, convey a continued interest in the position, and contain a FULL ID line. A full ID line, in one look, will give the reviewer a great deal of information without taking a lot of room.

Ex: Thank you for your time to read and consider my application for this position. It is my hope that I will be granted this position and I await your decision.
In darkness,
KAP Torg(Krath)/AED/Bun-Bun of Sluggy Freelance [ACC: INI], GC/StA-CK/DC-LC/(GN)/(BN)/Cr-3R-5A-6E-8T

6—After the Application

After you have submitted your application, all you can do is wait for an announcement about the job. Unless an inordinate amount of time goes by without an announcement, you shouldn’t pester the person about it. You will be less likely to get the job if you are a nuisance.

If you don’t get the job, don’t be discouraged. Most jobs are only for one person, and there are usually a good number of applications (average number is usually around 15 for a spot open to the entire DB). The best thing you can do is to keep being active and try again for the next spot that opens up.

Finally, you might consider asking for comments on your application if you don’t get the job, especially if it is your first application. Many people will send a thank you reply, thanking you for your interest and application, but rarely will they say anything else. By asking for comments, you can get a feel for what you need to do better next time.

7—Important Notes

What follows is a short list of things you must recognize when writing an application for any position in the Dark Brotherhood.

• ALWAYS pay attention to what is asked for by the reviewer and accommodate as needed.
• Following this suggested format in no way guarantees you that you will get a position.
• Do not include real life aspects in your application, unless you absolutely believe that it is relevant to the position.
• One line does not make a good application
• ALWAYS SPELL CHECK – Spelling errors show that you are lazy
• If English is your second language, have someone read through your application for help on the sentences before you send it in.