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.
disinfecting cleaning services Highland Park ..Adults, with eyes to see, can learn so much about... Read More
As a child you probably learned failing is bad...Failing meant... Read More
Bring in the big guns People love to be needed,... Read More
If you are looking for a surefire strategy to ensure... Read More
Two weeks ago we took a look at the power... Read More
Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More
One of the most important aspects of creating success involves... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
What do Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Hilton, Marriot, Firestone, Elvis... Read More
It is often said that the only things in life... Read More
The Winner's Walk is a key strategy in the sport... Read More
The world is full of people with great intentions. They... Read More
"A man's life is what his thoughts make of it."-... Read More
IntroductionSuccess - we all read about it, hear it on... Read More
One the most important Self Improvement skills to develop to... Read More
Why is it that most people still equate being successful... Read More
Hold a "progressive" goal party If you have a group... Read More
What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More
Many UK citizens want to settle or retire in Spain... Read More
Five-time gold medal-winning figure skater, Jenny Kilmer, has won the... Read More
Self-change is a personal phenomenon. In order to accomplish it,... Read More
It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More
This summer (2005) huge crowds in England and Australia have... Read More
People often ask me how I became successful in that... Read More
'No man is an island' the saying goes. The implication... Read More
best cleaning company Winnetka ..Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More
What do Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Hilton, Marriot, Firestone, Elvis... Read More
Why is it that most people still equate being successful... Read More
If you are looking for a surefire strategy to ensure... Read More
Being busy has become a way of life for many... Read More
Five-time gold medal-winning figure skater, Jenny Kilmer, has won the... Read More
"What a week!" you say at the end of a... Read More
Cool Facts: Walt Disney went bankrupt several times before he... Read More
IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and... Read More
Remove these words from your vocabulary!The words "If only ?"... Read More
Everything we have in life is because of the help... Read More
If you have a choice each day in the tasks... Read More
Thomas Edison has done it. Naomi Watts often jokes about... Read More
"Most people don't plan to fail. They just fail to... Read More
"The reason man may become the master of his own... Read More
Give back Once you've achieved success, use your skills, talents,... Read More
If that sounds like you, you're not alone. Everyone needs... Read More
Walt Disney coined a special phrase for persistence and determination;... Read More
The only thing in life we have direct control over... Read More
Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
Have a therapeutic meltdown It's crunch time: you're two days... Read More
Everything you will ever have and accomplish in life will... Read More
One of the first things most of us remember hearing... Read More
In the book, The SHOCKwealth System?, it is discussed that... Read More
Success |