August 23, 2006

How To Be An Insider

In last week’s edition of Success Accelerator (Jobs & Careers - Are You An Insider?) we discussed how most jobs and business go to “Insiders” - people with whom a company has a pre-existing, positive relationship.

Consequently, in many cases YOUR best bet to get a job or business with a company is to become an Insider.

But how do you do that when… you don’t already have a relationship with a company? Isn’t it a vicious circle?

Well, I’ll soon be releasing a new ebook called Insider Job Secrets Revealed that explains exactly how to become an Insider, and more importantly, how to get a job - actually, THE job - you want.

But in brief, there are three (3) steps to becoming an Insider with a company:

1. Identify who has the ability to hire or recommend you within the company - the “decision maker”.

2. Be proactive in starting a relationship with this decision maker.

3. Clearly convey your trustworthiness, professionalism and abilities in all interactions with this decision maker.

Now, you may be wondering, “How do I find out who the decision maker is?” and “How do I - being Mr or Mrs Nobody from Planet Nowhere - start a relationship with them?”

Well, it’s not as hard as you think!

In fact, the first part - working out whom to “target” - has never been easier thanks to the Internet.

The second part can be challenging, but there are a number of approaches you can use to kick off a relationship with a decision maker.

For example, if you have a mutual friend or colleague, ask them to introduce you.

Or write and call the decision maker and offer to take them out for a coffee.

Or join a professional association and attend industry events where you’re likely to meet the decision maker.

The options are endless.

Really, the only tough part of trying to get to know a decision maker is overcoming your own shyness or lack of confidence.

Well, there’s a saying that if you have a big enough WHY, the HOW will take care of itself (or something like that!)

So keep reminding yourself of WHY you’re doing what you’re doing… and if the reason is powerful enough, it will carry you through all the difficult times.

As for the last item - conveying your trustworthiness, professionalism and abilities - well, that’s just being yourself, isn’t it? Nothing too hard there.

Now, you may accuse me of being simplistic - and to be fair, I explain all the details of what to do, and how to do it, in the upcoming ebook, Insider Job Secrets Revealed.

But for now, I hope I’ve given you a general idea of what it takes to be an Insider… when you’re not already one!