Searched the boards and didn't find this question...

Wondering how to do the screening thing if you are self-employed or work out of a home office and there is no one to independently verify your information.  I understand the need to verify that you are not LE, but there should be some other way to do this in a situation like this.

I have had the same situation(s) occur and generally explain my circumstances.  The next question is "What kind of car do you drive."  I explain that I do not want to flash my money around because it is off the books.  Most of the Gals will understand.

I was worried about this very same thing since I work out of a home office.  I've been in this hobby a little over a month and have met with 2 providers over that time period.

One provider I contacted almost turned me down because I couldn't give them a work #.  I told her that my work # was actually my home and didn't want her to call me there for obvious reasons.

I gave her my cell #, spoke on the phone with her and exchanged several e-mails which seemed to alleviate any concerns she might have had.

Just let them know your situation and if they are still leary then move on to another provider.  They should understand this situation because its their business.  The greater percentage of providers are independents and running their own businesses just like you.

I had the same problem in the past. I own my home. I invite her to my house and give her my address and listed phone number. Still I needed a reference from another lady because my employment wasn't verifiable.

I jokingly suggested (in a TBD post venting about the verification process) that I considered applying for a spot on the Midnight to 6 shift at the local 7-11 so I would become less of a verification risk. It reminds me of the problem that most of us faced when we first joined the working world. "You can't get a job without experience and you can't get experience without a job."

One option to consider, try becoming a client of a local agency (with a good rep) first. Agencies tend to be much more open to new clients. Once you have established yourself with the agency, they should be willing to provide a reference.

thirsty

-- Modified on 10/28/2002 5:39:46 AM

I have been asked what kind of work I do in the past by a provider, but that's about it.  No provider that I've seen has ever asked me for a work number or other forms of verification over the phone.  It's just never happened and I have seen providers during the year that I wasn't even working.