Get Your Students Hired
How long have you been looking to come back to school?
would it be safe to say that this is an ideal time to come back?
These are great questions, Hope. I'm a big fan of questions that help people figure things out for themselves such as what's important to them and what they want to change. Good work!
I like to ask them what is important to them about school and what they are looking to change in their current situation. This is how i probe to find out the real reason they have requested information to be able to identify how an education can help them make that change
It appears you are asking questions that are future based to help them see what things might look like 5 years down the road, correct? The second question is another good one that elicits information about the current situation. Do you ask any questions to help determine their past including how they got to where they are currently at in life?
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now without career training?
Where do you see yourself 5 yrs. from now with career training?
How do your family members or friends feel about you going back to school?
This is a great question, Rachel. It's the type of question that may get someone to really define a program or major as you examine " fit".
Depending on the situation, sometimes a more broad question like " tell me more about your interest in the medical field" could give you even more information. With this type of question, it could go in a number of directions based on importance to the student.
In those situations when a prospective student has no idea what program they want or a misunderstanding about what a program really is, the broader focused question is a good approach to start with.
I think the most helpful question I've asked before is: What are you looking to study? This gives me an idea if we have the program that they're interested in or something like it.
Yes, I agree that the counseling approach is essential to serving the student in the most meaningful and ethical way. Questions are so powerful and can be used in a variety of ways yet I'm hopeful most will adapt to help the student vs. manipulation.
I'm a big fan of the counseling approach that you mentioned. It allows students to be more engaged with the admissions rep. I will also ask, what are you looking for a in a school? How important is getting an internship for you?
Very nice, Nina! It's what we call "exploring the environment". In former training programs this "probing" was designed to only serve the needs of the admissions rep. Sort of finding out what is wrong (need) and then positing the school as the solution. Newer approaches add questions and discovery to help the prospective student find out what is going on in their life and what their options are. More of a counseling approach vs. sales approach. Many of the areas you mention are useful to help the student figure things out. What other questions might you add to help them discover things?
Hi Dr. Norris,
After I provide the potential student with a background of the college and set the tone and expectations for the interview, that's when I will ask questions as the ones I've mentioned, during the probing session. The probing session entails finding out more about their desire to move forward with their education, the impact it will have on the job or lack thereof, their career aspirations and the emotional support they're receiving.
These seem to be questions that will provide some thought - which is a good thing. I'm curious how you know what questions to ask and when to ask them.
How important is it for you to see yourself walk across the graduation stage?
Why are you looking to get your education now as opposed to 6 months ago?
What do you see yourself doing 2 years from now?
Interesting questions, Jessica. These certainly are questions that could help someone begin to explore their motivation to attend college. Have you ever asked a question that was taken the wrong way or not understood correctly?
Why today? What has motivated you to pursue your degree at this time? Who is in support of your decision to go to college?
The first is an open-ended question to get the dialogue moving and tells me the motivating factor of why they had called and why they want to make changes in their life.
The 2nd is to establish goals for their future.
The 3rd is to set the appt. Most of our prospects have not taken the time to speak with a person to give them career options. It also also conveys that I want to help them and it raises the value of the appt because it is for their well being.
"What is going on in your l ife that is making you consider going back to school?"
"What are you hoping for when you finish school?"
"Has anyone taken the time to speak with you about your career options?
Great questions, Peter! Now I have another question for you...are these questions for them? or you?
What are you looking to pursue? What has made you interested in that? Have you had any college experience in the past?