Here's a question to providers that screen and experienced hobbyists...
I'm contemplating a career change that would leave me without an office phone. It's been my experience that part of the screening process is to call the main office extension under some false pretense to see that I indeed exist. My fear is that by replacing my office number with "none" may label me as LE. My new business endeavors will be cell only until the office becomes a necessity. An office phone would likely be an additional line in the house.
What should I do to get in front of this problem?
Thanks in advance...
Since you are already in the hobby and have reviews, most ladies will take a provider reference for screening purposes. I never give any info other than a reference.
I've run into that problem before not being a desk jockey. One provider I contacted had to have a personal office desk phone number. She wouldn't accept my work cell, office main line, or other provider reference's. She said no go so I went elsewhere. As the old saying goes "there are plenty of fish in the sea". In short it all depend's on the provider. You can't blame them for worrying about safety but some do seem to get carried away a bit but that's totally their choice.
The office landline is only one of the several pieces of info requested for screening purposes and I can't imagine that its absence would make a huge difference unless you couldn't supply much else.
I am kind of having the same problem now. I work a lot of freelance gigs so I don't really have an office number for someone to call and verify. If anyone knows if there's a way around this, please let me know.
I have no work phone - just cell
I will not put my real name in print (because it is not exactly John Smith)
Which means some indies have told me to pound sand
Fortunately, there seem to be enough providers around in most cities to suit your needs. I hate asking for recommendations, though I have on occasion. "Excuse me, would you help me enrich the competition?" We are equally fortunate to have lots of nice people around to do that as well.
Be careful about the info you give. Some providers are using search engines that do background checks for a fee of about $10. This is after they already have the work info. Seems they want to know everything about your life. Real nice eh? Considering you don't even know her real first name. If a provider doesn't accept one of my stellar references from a reputable sister provider she can go pound sand.
-- Modified on 1/25/2005 2:38:55 PM
For some reasons,with the exception of one, the providers I have the greatest times with are the ones who don't screen as hard. Usually they'll ask you to tell them a little bit about yourselves. From that information, they'll decide whether they wanna see you.I mean, I expect a certain level of screening from them but these providers don't even ask for my real name. I find my sessions with them to be comfortable and at ease.
The ones that are somewhat uptight during the sessions are those whose screenings tend to be a pain in the butt.
What does that tell you?
As a matter of fact, my ATFs only know my real first name and cell phone. That's because I gave it to them without them ever asking because I felt comfortable with them enough to share my personal info after having met them in person.
There are plenty of fish in the ocean. Why sweat it?
Just google "loser" -- my bio should show up on the 1st or 2nd page.
Yep, Gene Hackman,first page, ops, sorry I shouldn't have said your name .
The way i look at it is as long as you have a couple good refrences who can be found on TER and have websites and such its not a bother, well to me anyways. Cause i usualy wont call someones work unless they dont have ref's or nothing else is working out. Calling somones work is not my fave thing to do i would much rather bypass that although i do ask for that info, but just explain to the provider who you are wanting to see what the deal is with the work #. But as long as you have good ref's you should be okay.