Five tips for guild applications
by Elizabeth Wachowski 
Apr 24th 2007 at 2:40PM
So maybe your current guild just isn't doing it for you. They're casual players and you're ready to step into something more hardcore, or you can sense some impending guild drama and want to be far away, or maybe they're like my guildmates and keep talking about wangs in guild chat for, like, half an hour. It's time to suck it up, tell them you're moving on, and then go to the realm forums and start filling out guild applications.
Despite what you may think, guild applications aren't quite as rough as job applications. They're mainly there to weed out the total idiots and incompetents. On the other hand, it's pretty easy to appear like a total idiot or incompetent, so here are some tips for your applications. Happy hunting!
- Don't spell like a moron. Yes, yes, it's the Internet and spelling and grammar aren't cool among the kids these days. Nevertheless, you're trying to impress these people, so at least make some effort to not type like a monkey undergoing shock treatment. Typing in all lower-case with no punctuation except for "lol" makes the guild officers think that you're going to be a nightmare to have in guild chat, and they're probably right.
- Use the actual guild's application. Not a generic application. Not another guild's application. ESPECIALLY not the application of the archnemesis of the guild you're applying to. This is usually an automatic disqualification -- if you can't take the time to fill out the application, how are you going to abide by the guild rules?
- Don't flirt or post pictures. No one cares that you're a girl. Really. No, really. They care about how well you can play. If they ask for your gender, it's okay to tell the truth, but including revealing pics or a link to your myspace in your application screams "In the future, I will carry on an ongoing flirtation with several guildmates that will eventually destroy the entire organization." I would assume it's also verboten for a guy to flirt and post half-naked pictures in his guild application, but honestly I would probably /ginvite that person just to watch the chaos that ensues.
- Don't complain about your last guild. Even if the split was really bad, just say "there were some issues about _____ and I decided to move on." An epic description of the drama in your last guild makes you look bad, and some of the officers in your wanna-be-new guild probably have friends in your old one.
- Don't talk about what they can give you -- talk about what you can give them. I have seen many guild applications where the reason for joining boils down to "I want to get gear and you guys are progressed!" Sure, that's probably the real reason for it, but it's considered tactless (kind of like saying "I really need some money" during a job interview.) Instead, talk about your desire to see new content, meet new people, and help your guild in new encounters. Don't mention gear at all, really.
Do you have any tips for guild applications, or do you find the whole concept kind of distasteful?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Tips, How-tos, Guilds
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Freehugz Apr 24th 2007 2:54PM
Always log off with your most impressive/relevent gear on so that it shows in the armory.
It's also VERY important that you follow whatever application guideliness are given. If you can't follow directions for a simple app, why would anyone want to take you to a raid where you'll wipe the group.
hisk Apr 26th 2007 1:37PM
have ventrillo and/or teamspeke and yes ventrillo is much better also if u get in the guild actully take the time and check out there website if they have on also register to the fourms and send somthjing to the guild bank always means somthing.
klink-o Apr 24th 2007 3:02PM
A good tip is to be honest, not only about your experience and whatnot, but with yourself. Don't apply to a guild with requirements, such as raid times, you can't meet, or you'll find yourself filling out another application very soon.
Calgar Apr 24th 2007 3:16PM
We actually had an App for our guild with the following in his "Why do you want to join?" box.
I want the phat epix and you guyz r like totally leetsause so i can get lots of them fast n stuff.
Yeah...Application Denied so fast. The officers got a good laugh out of it at least.
Also a bad idea to state they you are just looking to use the guild as a stepping stone to a better guild.
While revealing pictures are generally a bad idea in the application (which they are, gives a 'cheap' impression that will lead to drama) don't be afraid to post pics once you are in the guild.... especially if you are hot :P
Ragbar Apr 24th 2007 3:18PM
I belong to the top PvP guild on our server, so we're naturally getting applicants constantly.
However, there's a few things that are common between all the applicants.
"I want to pwn noobs in PvP"
"I want to get full gladiator set"
"I want to be on a good arena team"
"I want full PvP gear"
Like the above post says, it's always about what they want. Before the new PvP system we had a couple players grind out HWL in guild groups and then immediately leave the guild. This cheesed off quite a few members (myself probably the worst), and there's no way I'm going to accept a guy into our guild who gives me the impression that he might bail as soon as he gets the gear he wants.
This however is the #1 point...BE ACTIVE IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS!!
Most of our members don't check our website as often as they should, and we never know who is an applicant and who is not. Well this is partly due to our applicants never talking!! If you want to be a member of the guild, message some members! Tell us you're online and looking for some 5v5 or running PvP! Not to mention there's a sticky post saying that you should message some members and let us know you applied to the guild, but no one ever does that. If you really want to be a member of the guild, ACT LIKE IT!
95% of the people that apply we never even have to consider because no one ever knows they were an applicant to begin with, haha. It makes the applications process for us quite simple.
jess Apr 24th 2007 3:16PM
On the subject of posting revealing pictures of one's self I once saw a thread from a high end guild on my server, a guy who applied posted pictures of his (supposed) sisters in various states of undress. (and he had some really dubious claims as to how he got said pictures) Not sure if he got into the guild or not.
Delilah Apr 24th 2007 3:27PM
Read the other applications, especially from applicants who play your class. Look at the reactions from the guildmembers; see what impressed them and what didn't.
Make sure you put some clues to your personality in there somewhere as well. I guess some guilds are just looking for warm pixels to fill raiding slots, but most want to know that you'll be able to mesh well with the guild. If there's a "tell us more about yourself" question, answering "I like long walks on the beach and pwning n00bs" really isn't an original answer. At all.
Dan B. Apr 24th 2007 3:27PM
Spell your character name right. Noone wants spend 30 minutes trying various alternate spellings to find the one that is (probably) you.
Spell your class name right. I know, I mistype rogue/rouge all the time in game - I'm normally trying to type quickly, not accurately.
Fill out the full app. It's only 10 questions, and the only ones that might be longer than 1 sentence are 'what are your goals in WoW' and 'give us some info about yourself - personality, hobbies, real-life stuff'.
My guild is fairly casual, but we're an adults only guild that tries to prevent drama and aims for stability. Our app is a tool for that - if we see people who are all about leveling to 70 so they can go to a raiding guild, no dice. Same if you're a guild jumper, or your app is a rant against your current guild.
Baluki Apr 24th 2007 3:31PM
Heh...I actually said "because I need money" (more or less) in real life, when I applied to a temp agency. Then again, why else do you apply to a temp agency? I guess some people like to have different jobs all the time, but I wasn't going to lie to them.
Back to the subject at hand.
When I joined a raiding guild, it was just a few weeks after it had formed, and I didn't apply so much as just imply that I was in the guild. When they realized that I wasn't there in guild chat, they sent me an invite.
remil Apr 24th 2007 3:49PM
Sounds like what I was told when my divorce was final and I started dating again.
homant Apr 24th 2007 4:15PM
It's kind of already been mentioned, but if you read on the requirements "you MUST be keyed for Kara in order to join" and you say, "I'm almost keyed" on your app; you're not gonna get an invite.
Raiding is about everyone working together and following instructions. If you can't follow simple instructions on the application, there's no way in hell that they'll think you can follow them for a complicated boss fight.
Rich Apr 24th 2007 4:36PM
I've never had to fill out a guild application. I've been in 2 guilds and both were invites. One was because my friend from another MMO was in it. I quickly left the guild because it wasn't my type of guild. The second I got invited to because they kept seeing me in the BG's and saw how well I did. Unfortunately that guild blew up to drama.
I get invites all the time and turn them all down. 90% of the inviters are either newer guilds looking to fill their ranks or someone looking to get their charter done.
Doing blind invites is as dumb as just blind applying.
On a side note, I want to add one thing for the guild side of the application. Be serious about who your recruiting and your requirements.
I got into with someone last night who posted a guild recruitment in Netherstorm general chat. They wanted level 70's already keyed for Kara. I accused them of using people by wanting people to help them advance the raids, but not willing to help people get to where they needed be. Their argument was they already had an A team and were looking for a B team to run through and didn't want to waste time keying people. Understandable, but 90% of the people keyed for Kara are already in a guild. If you need people to fill teams out you are doing one of two things. Either getting people keyed or you are courting specific players in other guilds, not announcing it general chat.
Freehugz Apr 24th 2007 7:01PM
"but including revealing pics or a link to your myspace in your application "
...link or it didn't happen :P
Ipos Apr 24th 2007 7:46PM
Ok..
This is for Guild Officers or Guild Masters
UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE!
As a 70 mage, I have been looking for a guild for about 3 months. I have seen too many forum posts stating that people are needed for a guild.
But, you go to the website and it reads that all positions are full.
What is the point of having a guild website if it is never kept up to date.
Also, Several websites don't cover very simple questions and concerns. This is mostly for raiding guilds but can transfer over.
1. How is loot distributed in raid.
2. Do you use Vent or TS? Is either required?
3. Do you raid?
4. If you do raid, How often do you raid?
5. If you do raid, What has your raid progression been like?
6. If you do raid, Do you have any raid requirements? Besides being key'd or attuned for the raid?
7. If someone isn't attuned or key'd what kind of assistance can they get to meet those requirements?
8. How many members are in your guild?
9. How many accounts to members?
10. How many people are signed in on average during the day? And at what times?
11. Are you looking for new applicants?
12. What classes/specs are you looking for?
13. What do I as an applicant expect to get from you in regards to the application process? Hence, Some guilds require that you go on several runs or raid with them.
14. When will I hear back from you regarding my application?
You know, these are questions that anyone should ask a guild when they are applying or looking at applying.
And adding these answers right on the website means that you don't have several applicants asking them later.
Maybe even have a place to show loot progression.
I'd like to know how well your guild is doing as well.
Just a though.
Garbane - Uther, Still guildless and looking for a raiding guild. PST!
Ailya Apr 25th 2007 9:36AM
As a low level player who's only been playing for a couple of months I find it very annoying that there are so many guilds that are only looking for high level members looking to do end game only content and don't take on lower level players, even with alts. to help them along.
Ana Apr 25th 2007 10:02AM
@14
Mostly that's an issue with guilds not being able to serve two masters. A lot of people are under the impression that raiding is just walking into Kara and wtfpwning things. What they don't realize is that before you even step foot in that instance you've ground out gold/consumables/gear for a good 3-4 hours beforehand. If you have people logging in four times a week for three hours, that doesn't leave a lot of time to go run X guildy through BRD for the twelve billionth time.
You have to choose where to spend your resources. It's a rare guild that has the manpower and drive to be both a raiding guild (casual or otherwise) and a leveling guild.
I can't recommend leveling/social guilds highly enough for the people who are under the level cap. Take your time, learn the game, and decide if raiding is even something you're interested in - it's not everyone's cup of tea, after all. Then look for a raiding guild. Trying to skip all the intermediate steps is just going to lead to frustration for you and the guild.
so2 Apr 25th 2007 3:54PM
For laughs check out the horrible applications for my guild.
I agree wholeheartedly on the tips of this post, and homant's (Comment 10) response.
Here's my version of how to apply. Click on the forum index for real examples of horrible applications!
http://forums.contingencyguild.com/index.php?topic=3694.0
Jessica Apr 25th 2007 7:34PM
As much as I don't like females posting in the recruitment forums scantly clad photos, or acting like skanks. They do usually turn out to be shit tastic in raids which also makes it easy to weed out. Just like guys acting like dick wads is an easy way to weed out.
Flirting isn't bad, and guys do it to, though. So don't sit here and point at boobies and say "BAD DEMON! BURN!!!!1111" I think both sexes are guilty for number 3, so don't single any sex out.
Artaz Apr 25th 2007 9:46PM
While alot has been covered by the above (spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization etc),as a raid leader of a hardcore raiding guild here are some tips that will help you regardless:
1. Answer all questions in full. If they ask you to explain something, explain it. You can tell when someone has spent a decent amount of time on their application. Anyone willing to put in the effort to make a good app, will put in the effort to be a good guild member.
2. Expect questions and critique. A common tactic I use both for WoW and for hiring in my department at work is to drill someone on why they did/chose something, even if I know the answer, and even if they did the right thing. What is important is their response.
3. Don't swear. Sure, many guilds might state up front that *you* must be able to tolerate foul language while in the guild, but it still looks bad on an app.
4. Read all their details both about applying and about the guild first. We list our raid times and our expectations in attendance yet we still get people applying who can't meet those requirements.
5. Party with their guild members and keep in contact with officers. If you see a member of the guild your trying to get into organising an instance run, get involved if you can. If thats not possible, then chat to their officers and let them know that your free to do something. I will often let everyone know in guild chat that such-and-such is applying for the guild and is looking to group up for something. Getting to know people gets you into guild.
Hope that helps :)
Lunada Apr 27th 2007 11:00AM
Its funny to see such trivial things get out of hand....did we forget we're playing a GAME!! Its important not to take this too seriously, the biggest morons in WoW r those that do. I play WoW to get away from a hard day at work and have fun, not come home and expect another "job". My guild and i have an easy way to invite people.....play with them for a while and if they prove to be awesome people who arnt already guilded they're welcome; however, if they turn out to be someone who takes the game too seriously....well thats one moron we wont have in our guild. Now im not saying u should take pride in ur guild...just dont get crazy and start requiring people to start filling out applicantions. Just have some guildies group with the people wishing to join and get their opinion...Im sure that will tell u a whole lot more than a simple application.