Ok, so I'm a little frustrated here. I've read the self help guide. I have TER VIP membership. I feel like I've done A LOT of homework.
I applied for and received P411 membership. I did searches for providers, specifically keyed on "newbie friendly". I've used the forms on the site or forms on provider websites to try to contact providers. In some cases they respond, but even though I've given them my P411 ID, they still ask for references/employment information. I reply that 1) I don't have any references, being a newbie and all and 2) While I'm employed and more than happy to send them a copy of my paystub or work id, I don't have a direct line to my desk so they can't call me directly. They can leave a message and someone will page me, but I don't have my own phone as I move around too much.
When I point out that I don't have a desk line, they cease any further communications with me...
I'm getting kind of frustrated because I feel like I've done everything I can, and it's still not enough. What am I missing?
(note: I do work for a civil institution, but I work in IT, I'm not LE)
and let her page you. She does not want to talk to you... probably will hang up... but wants to know you are recognized.
The other thing is to have a proposed meeting date so she takes you seriously... show you are not a time waster.
It seems like you have done your homework & gotten reasonbly educated. As a newbie it can be tough to break in. Once you do, you're golden but getting that first one can be a process.
skb
I don't think they can read your P411 profile inside P411 unless you send them a request from within P411. So send your request directly from P411. Go ahead and read what info they want from the forms on their web site and include that info in your message (except for references and work info - more on this later) to them from the P411 request. Pick someone who is 'Newbie Freindly' in P411. If their form asks for business info or references just say something like 'P411 has approved me based on the info they have requested. I notice that you are 'Newbie Friendly' on P411. If my P411 approval does not meet your screening requirements, please let me know what more information you require. I look forward to hearing from you'. You might just want to seem confident and just send your request from P411 and assume that if they are 'Newbie Friendly' then you are meeting their requirements. Don't send a pre-screening request, send a request for a date and be specific on the exact time and date you wish to meet - don't sound like you are just fishing around. Once you get 1 or 2 Ok's in P411 you're in like Flint as long as you behave yourself and be a gentleman. Good luck.
I have contacted at least one provider through P411 instead of through her website or phone, and I did get a response back... she asked me for references/employment verification.
That's the strangest setup I've ever heard of. No desk phone, AND no work cell phone?
Your company honestly just depends on you to hear a page? They've got no way to track you down?
I am newbie friendly and that would scare me away.
As well, you don't give fake names when doing employment verification.
Some ladies are crafty and will call human resources of your company and pretend to be doing employment verification because your about to buy a new car or refurnish your whole house.....? perhaps? Just be sure you do something like this with a lady who has her wits about her and can sound professional. Later on if someone at work asks how is the new car, just say you changed your mind about it.
Lots of people don't have work cell phones. Even if I did, and I gave you (or any provider) that cell number what would that prove? How could you verify that that number belongs to the company I work for, since the prefixes may be different? Also, even if I did, much of the building doesn't have good cell phone reception, so I couldn't get the call anyways.
I don't know why they can't leave a message with some key phrase in it, like "your car is ready" or something, and then repeat that when I contact them since then they know it's me.
I do appreciate your response though.
Dude . . . bro . . . just FYI . . . I have p411 . I seem to have best results when I send a Request an Appointment form thru p411 about one week in advance. In the ReqAppt form I indicate the date and time I am looking for, and if I have some flexibility about date or time I put alternate dates and times choices in the message as well. Also, I ask for a respone either thru p411 as a private message or to my private hobby email. From then on, the communication is usually by private hobby email to finalize and confirm plans. Of course on the day of appt, i use my hobby phone as needed.
Also, most of the providers on p411 require that you have one or two oks from other p411 providers. Sounds like a catch-22, ridght ? You are going to have to locate a p411 provider who is well reviewed but that does not require prior oks. They do exist, but you may have to broaden the georgraphical scope of your search.
Using p411, this method has worked reasonably well (not perfectly) for me.
PS: as you may have noticed, it is a good idea to have a hobby phone and a hobby email.
Peace Out.
A.H.
Good advice on the hobby email etc, which I follow since I read the self help guide 
I've tried to follow your advice regarding contacting them. Part of my grip is the fact that I specifically filtered out the non-newbie friendly providers, leaving only the newbie friendly ones. I then contacted one of them through the setup appointment form on P411, and the response I got from her is that she STILL needs references/employment info.
I'll try to keep looking though.