idk just doing things is generally a good idea

if i was a team captain i'd probably laugh if someone tried to link me logs, because logs don't tell the entire story of how someone plays

for the most part, people have their older teammates/friends post in their looking threads, and not really post quotes about them (because they make you seem really egotistical)

people will notice you if you do well in pugs, or are always trying to up your game (in populated MGE/dm servers) which is what players like indust, bdonski, and shrugger did (among many countless others)

even if you're on the lower end skillwise, if you show that you're dedicated towards improving and have a good attitude, you'll be surprised that some random people may just give you a nice comment/bump your thread if they always see you playing

past experience is always helpful as well because they can see what teams you have been on and how long you've stuck to the teams, and knowing that you at least know the basics or can survive a season, especially if you've won things in the past

past competitive game experience can also help as well, because some people may not know you around here, but know you from some other game that you're also good at

i honestly don't know how many european teams look for players on here, but it doesn't hurt making a post here + on etf2l again if you plan to play in that league

also whatever you do, don't argue with people that hate you in your looking thread, because it almost always makes you look bad

tl;dr - post old teams you have been on, and how long you have been playing; what are you looking for and what division do you think you can play at (be honest)

let friends and old teammates post in your looking thread to back up things you say (although don't badger them about it)

Alright thanks for the reply man, I greatly appreciate that!

make a standard looking thread and let your gameplay do the talking. it's not about how good you are, it's about how well you fit into a team.

http://teamfortress.tv/thread/18164/rules-and-recommendations-for-lft-threads
http://teamfortress.tv/thread/7698/guide-to-make-a-looking-thread

Thanks, I'll take a look at those resources.

dont lie about what teams you've played on

be realistic about what level you should or/are capable of playing at

and try to stay positive

Be yourself.

It's like applying for a job. The OP of a looking thread is the resume, and the good comments are references. Try to make yourself look good, but don't lie.

dont list ur fucking hours please dear god

1. If youre a dumbass on tftv a lot of people will 2nd guess picking you up.

2. Dont be the first guy to start completely fucking around in a pug. If the pug has basically turned into a shitfest sure whatever go pyro to mid. Just try not to be a pug ruiner because people will assume you behave the same way in scrims and matches.

3. Never mention beating someone in mge or topscoring in dm.

4. Post nice things in other peoples threads to pressure them into writing something nice about you.

5. List your strengths, weaknesses, and a little bit about your personal playstyle. Just dont write a nerd essay on yourself.

That's pretty solid solution, especially if you're Yuki.

make sure to include your UGC profile, or milter will do it for you

Trying to get on an extant team is fine and all, and that can work for some people, but to be honest especially for somebody who is pretty unfamiliar with the game over all, your best bet would be the sad land of lobbies and pugs.

It will help you learn the game and also, the most important thing, get you a network of acquaintances and friends who will eventually put you on their extant teams, or find you a team to be on, or with whom you can make a team. Such teams are always far more stable and generally have a better environment (even if they end up not being very good). New teams comprising new players are always in for a *very* rough time generally, and you're going to need to be around people you like to survive the process. The players who burn out the fastest or find other, more fun, things to do are folks who end up on teams with people they dislike (or end up discovering that they dislike somebody on the team) solely to win games or be in a more respectable division.

Please do not talk about ringing or scrimming with a team that is above your skill level as if it is actual experience. Saying you backed up is fine. And don't say you were "offered" to play on such on such team last season/a few weeks ago/after a pug.

Someone should make a stickied thread about this subject.

play dm 8 hours a day and poop on everyone

tell everyone you identify yourself as a pansexual frog

State very clearly your experience in a league environment. If someone's telling me about this one time they merced for a div 1 team and a div 2 team that they were making with another barely div 2 player I'll think you're worse and more full of shit than someone who tells me about the 2 seasons of div 3 they played.

I know from experience that nothing gives teamleaders hardons like dedicated and keen players. Make sure to tell how much time you have and how much effort you want to put into it

Play mixes/pugs/lobbies (depending on your level) and join merc groups and just put yourself about and get noticed. You are unlikely to get very far if you just message people out of the blue with a logs.tf link, you need to network and get a good reputation in order for people to give you a chance.

If you keen it up and have a good attitude the rest will come eventually.

When I look to pick up players this is what I do:

1) Check my friendslist
Be friendly and be yourself. You should enjoy the people you're playing with and they'll pick you up if they think you'll get along with everyone. Naturally, others like to play with their friends.
2) Check tf.tv for looking threads
Make a thread that basically just says
a) The div you want to play in
b) Your past teams
I don't really find backup spots helpful. Don't include useless stats like hours played or mge score. Let it be short and sweet and your tryout will be the deciding factor.
3) Find a name that goes around
Pug, dm or mge a lot. Basically play the game and get your name out there. If you're good then people will know who you are and you can get some tryouts just from that
4) When I finally decide to ask someone to play, be friendly and accommodating. You are playing on their time. Ask them what days you can play and don't be hurt if they have other players lined up to play as well.
5) If the tryout goes well and they seem friendly, I'll ask them to play again or for a couple of days. If they seem like a good fit, I'll ask them if they would like to play with me.

don't set your expectations insanely high. you will have to play on not-so-great teams for a while, and either your team will get better together or they won't but you'll catch the eye of upper level players and progress from there.

dm, mge, pug. i got fat kidded in pug.na and invite pugs for fucking AGES (still do heh) but every motherfucker out there recognized the name marmadukeGRYLLS from one of the aforementioned activities.

being a cool dude in mumble is also helpful.