I will answer this from my own example, so I cannot be accused of disseminating 'unsubtantiated facts" (which, I will point out, is an oxymoron, an impossible phrase)
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I started playing this game in 2015, less than a month after it went 'live.'
I became a Moderator in June 2016 (verifiable through my profile), by volunteering in response to an Announcement on the Forum.
Over the next few months I proved my ability to handle difficult questions and difficult players, while other Moderators dropped by the wayside
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Four new Moderators were appointed, and I was promoted so I could better assist with their training
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You will not find 'Rilian' in the player list at all. My game accounts are under different names
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As a result of having to spend so much time (12 hours+ per day on occasion) on tickets during the first months, my player Rank dropped from 900+ to 5000+.
Since I find the Ranking system immaterial and contrary to building the best city, I do not worry about that, although it has climbed back to 2000+, because with more Moderators the time requirements have dropped.
The first criteria for a Moderator are to be willing, and to be able to express oneself in courteous English, anything else can be learned, and does not demand a high Ranking. Of course, if we can find someone who has the first two, and game knowledge as well...