Bring in the big guns
People love to be needed, and love to be thought of as a leader in their field even more. If you could use a hand reaching a goal, ask around until you find someone in the field who seems universally respected and on the ball. Call them up and explain that you are trying to break into the field (be sure and choose someone for whom you will not represent up-and-coming competition) and that you've heard that they are the as the go-to person for the inside scoop. Ask them for what's known as an "informational interview", and offer to treat them to lunch so that you don't take up their valuable work time. Pick the nicest place within your budget, or ask where they like to eat - and don't forget your checkbook or credit card (call the restaurant first if you're unfamiliar with the place, to ensure your card or check will be accepted). Have a backup payment option on hand, just in case their credit card swiper is down that day. If your target decides to meet in their office, make sure you don't take up any more of their time than you originally asked for, unless they specifically ask you to stay on - and even then, use good judgment about overstaying your welcome.
Prepare a list of questions beforehand and make sure that you listen carefully to everything they say. Taking notes is nothing if not flattering to the speaker, so feel free to do so. If they start to wander off on a conversational tangent, a good way to bring them back on target is to say something like "Wow, someday I'd really love to hear all about (whatever they're talking about), but since I know you're very busy, I really have to ask you about (your question) before you/I have to leave."
After the interview, write a brief thank you note (on paper, not email) and get it in the mail that day or the very next morning at the latest. Then add that person to your network list!
(c) Soni Pitts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of sonipitts.com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.
She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I... Read More
One of the common elements you see in almost all... Read More
Evaluations are a tremendous resource to help us know where... Read More
I could labor the idea but then that would only... Read More
Why do some people end up with boring jobs living... Read More
A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More
Nicholas Darvas, escaping his war-torn homeland, Hungary, sought refuge in... Read More
"What a week!" you say at the end of a... Read More
Success isn't all that it's cracked up to be... I'm... Read More
Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list... Read More
Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More
They say that if you really want to stretch yourself... Read More
Most of my clients had a vision of the contribution... Read More
Mary and Susan were friends for years. They grew up... Read More
Why is true success so rare?Why does research show that... Read More
Work addiction is an unrestrained, unfulfillable internal demand for constant... Read More
Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague,... Read More
The secrets of our body language have been around forever... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
Have you ever made plans in your career but never... Read More
The approach of a new year usually causes us to... Read More
The 90/10 secret is incredible! Very few know and apply... Read More
Temp your way to the top Want to take the... Read More
The Law of Experience"Success comes from good judgement; good judgement... Read More
If you want to be successful in life, business, or... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..I want to relate to you a story, READ it... Read More
Who wants to carry on being a failure?Failure. Not a... Read More
If you look back to the 70s and 80s, many... Read More
Ok, let me tell you what I mean.As some of... Read More
One of the main reasons that may hinder us from... Read More
If we hope to achieve any worthwhile goal it will... Read More
Many people consider reading books a waste of time. It... Read More
How many times do we fail at something, then attemp... Read More
Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More
We have all read about people who are successful briefly.... Read More
How can anyone with the brain of a cockroach make... Read More
To achieve success it can be important to keep going... Read More
Failure is GreatYou are probably asking yourself what could be... Read More
Successful people do not achieve success on their own, they... Read More
Management by Objectives, strategic planning, quality, teams, re-engineering. Passing management... Read More
One of the questions that I am asked most often... Read More
Jim Rohn wrote in his book The Five Major Pieces... Read More
"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More
It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More
Are you successful? What does that word mean to you?... Read More
An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More
Do you have what it takes to be really successful?Have... Read More
Do you still keep that all important 'Inner Spark Alive'?... Read More
Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete... Read More
The recent mission of the space shuttle Discovery is NASA's... Read More
Success |