Get Your Students Hired
What jobs have you had in the past?
Confirmation questions: I heard you say that you want more than just a job; you want a career. Is that right?
If unemployed: Are you actively look? What are you finding out there?
What does your schedule look like?
How do you feel our training can help you become...?
How did you become interested in the (blank) field?
What is your #1 reason you want a career?
Elizabeth,
This is true however have you considered how much time it takes to ask (and answer) all these questions? Is there another way?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe that you can not ask too many questions, you must find out as much information as possible to asses the potential student and their needs.
Ariel,
This is a great observation and clearly a preference of many. So how do you think those who work in Chat or Texting have success?
Dr. Jean Norris
I feel that phone calls are more personal. It helps make that connection with the students.
Brian,
Interesting questions that probably lead to some great conversations. What can you say differently in the second question to not seem as judgmental however (the WHY question is known to put people on the defense).
Dr. Jean Norris
How did you become interested in this career?
Why is it important for you to continue your education?
What are you looking for in a college?
Dabel,
These are some great questions. How might you reframe some of them to be more exploratory in nature vs. simple yes/no?
Dr. Jean Norris
Are you currently working in the healthcare field?
Do you have any friends or family that are currently working in the field you are interested in?
Tell me a little bit about your educational history. Are you currently enrolled in school at this time?
Do you see yourself working in that field in the next few years?
Jean-Max,
Great questions! Do you prefer to use open or closed ended questions?
Dr. Jean Norris
1-How long have you been thinking about this carrerchoice?
2- what are you hoping for once you graduate?
All that you mention are important to discover during the pre-enrollment process. Do you have a favorite question that helps you to learn the most you can about your prospective students?
Asking them first if they have time for us to talk about their information request. I find this takes them off the defensive regarding the feel of a telemarketing call even though they requested the info.
verify contact info....additional numbers/best number to reach them in the future
Background/history
Seriousness of their search
How soon they want to start school
Support system
Schedule the appt
Many of the questions that I have read above are questions I will ask during the actual interview. I want to build a rapport on the phone for sure; however, I also want to have questions to ask during the interview that I haven't already asked the potential student.
Let's see how we can help you.......what prompted you to call today? how long have you been thinking about doing this? What is it that you do now? tell me about your experience in xyz, if any....it sounds like you're ready to take action on this, am I right?
It looks like you're using a good combination of open and closed questions to elicit information from your students, both types of questions are appropriate during a conversation. Open questions that start with 'What' and 'How' allow the student to provide a variety of information, and the closed questions are good for verifying or collecting specific information. Be careful with the use of 'Why' questions, they are better used after building rapport with a student. Thanks for your post!
why is now a good time for you to consider coming to school?
what time of support do you have while attending school?
do you have child care as well as a back up plan?
what type of transpora\taion will you be using?
How and what questions are great for opening up a conversation and learning about your prospective student. It looks like you utilize a combination of questions that are important for both you and the student. Thank you for sharing.
I like the direction you're heading to find out what might be motivating the prospective student. How can you modify these Yes/No questions to be open-ended and to learn more about your student?
Are you working? Do you enjoy your work? If not working, are you getting bored? Wouldn't you like a career instead of a job?
I have asked them how much money are they making? How much money are the looking to make? Needing to make so I can determine what direction as far as career paths to go down.