Before you start your job search in earnest, you might try talking to various people in the industry that strikes your fancy -- by learning more you can contact the right people, look for jobs in the right places, and look better in your interviews.

The first step is networking, to find the people to whom you'd like to talk. Once you know your targets, it's important to contact your target properly. Once you've gotten in touch, don't forget to manage your contacts.

Only now is it time for an informational. Be prepared for your informational interview before you get in the room or on the phone with your target.

In The Informational Interview

Get your interviewee out of their office. Someone in the office is likely to be badgered by co-workers, e-mail, etc.; coffee near the office is easy and relaxing. Always make the interview in-person, not on the phone.

Know what you want to get across beforehand. Show your knowledge and qualifications -- answer the question "what can I do for you?". Prepare some loaded questions that show off your qualifications but also ask for useful and relevant information you'd like to learn. These might include:

• What's the day-to-day like?
• How did you get where you are?
• Where can you get from there?
• What value does an MBA add for you?
• What value can a person with an MBA add for you?
• What are the backgrounds of people in the company and the industry?
• What are the exciting areas to be in the company and the industry?
• What do you like about your job? What don't you like about your job?
• What companies are great to work at in the industry?
• What kind of people and traits do recruiters look for in this company and this industry?
• What kind of people do well here?
• Is there a lot of turnover? Why or why not?
• How much autonomy/responsibility do people get?

You should always have a running list of informational interview questions that you're constantly refining. You should also keep a running list of your strengths and skills and be prepared to work these into the conversation. Use this list to help you refine your message and always be sure what you want to get across beforehand.

An informational interview is not your chance for a monologue, it's not even a conversation, it's an interview. Let the other person talk as much as possible, they've got valuable information that you'd like to hear.

You're likely to get a couple of questions in almost every informational:

• "Tell me about yourself." The best answer to this is focused and to-the-point. Use your list to prepare for this and get all of the information out. Think about what your interviewee wants to know and make sure you cover those bases.
• "Why USC?" Vouch for the quality of the school and of your education. Mention the geographic area. And always look for the Trojans out there -- you have a lot in common with them!

Keep track of how long the interview is taking; 30 minutes is usually about right. Wear a watch. Give the interviewee the option to leave after 30 minutes, and do it actively -- asking "I know you're busy, I'm excited to spend as much time as you have learning about [whatever it is] but I don't want to keep you" is both polite and quite possibly followed by "no, I have time."

An informational is a great chance to get additional referrals. Use it as such.

Once you've had the interview, follow up? effectively.