When I suggested private applications earlier in this thread I suggested that players be able to still leave feedback. The feedback would be visible to staff only. So players can mention noteworthy experiences and show their support without bias.
Exactly, you list your referees so the employer can get in touch with them if needed, you don't bring them with you to your job interview. And you certainly don't leave the door to your job interview open for anyone you never even met to voice an opinion they technically cannot even have. Because the interviewer cannot tell who has a founded opinion and who doesn't. And this is exactly what causes the unfairness you were rambling about in your OP.
I’m not sure what you are getting at. But if mod apps are private you don’t get to list your referees. A mod app is closer to a resume than an interview. So that’s why it’s not fair to private applications. The system for selecting staff has weeded out some good staff some of the time so I see no need for it to change. But if any applicants want to chat to me about their apps I will teach them about the negative feedback
How I am prevented from listing people who might have a funded opinion of me if my application is private? I mean, any interviewer is free to contact anyone I listed to make his own opinion of me, without needing to leave the door open to anyone to make his comment. Or if you want to compare it to a resume, leave it for anyone to make his comment below it. Imagine how it would be if during your interview some bored guy you never saw who was just here waiting for the bus falls in and say "hey you know what, potential employer of this guy? I never saw this guy you are about to hire around here, so he cannot be much dedicated. And his app has way to few colours!", and a minute later some guy in a panda costume pops up to make a satirical review of your resume. You just want to stab them in their face but all you can do is smile awkwardly and say "oh hello there stranger, thank you for your feedback, I will try to improve on what you said". This is the very reason for "what you find concerning" in your OP to even happen in the first place. People post farming on apps with opinions they technically cannot even have, writing unfunded or even biased evaluations. The apps here are full of them. The fact this has been the way of recruiting staff since ever doesn't mean it is crap. Honestly IMO this downside overweights any positive side effect this system might have ever had.
Thank-you. Though my moderator application critiques were not the same, I think they are a little problematic too. It is things like being told that you are too good for skyblock that is not useful to me improving. It holds no value to me except thinking that people think highly of me. I don't just turn my back on friends. If I leave, it is because I have no one left. Which is why i need to make threads like this. To improve the experience for others since I don't have fancy permissions any longer.