Set a time line for your goals; divide them into what you will achieve within certain time frames (such as one month, six months, and one year). By doing so, you are motivating yourself and setting deadlines for when you will complete a task or achieve something. In addition to setting time frames, be sure to divide your goals and strive for balance. Far too often may you find yourself concentrating your goals all in one particular aspect of your life (e.g. in my case, I focus a lot on my career) and neglect the others (i.e. personal and health goals). Be sure to spread out your goals. And lastly, write down the goals you have set yourself. You’ve heard it so many times: those that write down their goals are far more likely to succeed in achieving them. Think about it: if you write them down, there’s visible documentation of your thoughts, which will make you more inclined to want to do them, especially if you can see them on a frequent basis (e.g. I keep mine on a bulletin board by my computer).

1) Do not present a resume or ask for a job in an informational interview. The purpose of your meeting should be to learn a company culture and network in your industry.

2) Arrive to the meeting prepared with thoughtful questions.

3) The informational interview is a relaxed setting to practice your answers to future interview questions (i.e. “tell me about yourself”). You should not feel as if you are in an interview or selling a product; however, this is an excellent opportunity to practice your personal brand story or pitch.

4) Follow-up is critical. Thank each contact for his/her time, information, advice. Thank-you letters should be sent via email; a hard copy should be sent through snail mail.

5) Each manager and/or executive should be updated on any progress in your career.

6) Keep good records of connections made, including dates and follow-up tasks. I personally keep a well organized, ongoing list in an excel file.

As a Generation Y, it is often difficult to know who to contact and what exchange is appropriate. I am signing up for alumni events, industry related associations and specific Meetup.com affairs.

Other personal habits I have acquired while networking are to 1) confirm meeting time and place the day before, 2) follow up with unique, outstanding stationary, 3) get a business card, and 4) remember to small talk. Small talk is an art; often when I am taking myself too seriously, I forget to ask my mentor personal details. Taking note of these personal details on the back of his/her business card is a great technique. Then when I follow up, I can ask about family, vacation, home, etc. Every little detail counts when creating lasting relationships.