Most people put almost no effort into finding out how success works in their field, so you can outdo the majority by doing a little research.

One misconception is that employers only care about a degree. While degrees are not useless, many hiring managers are very interested in hiring someone who is aggressively self-educated.

Our assumptions about what employers care about or what will make a product sell can easily be cleared up by using the interview method.

• Identify five people who are moderately successful in your field.
• Ask them if you can buy them lunch.
• Meet with...