It's great that you're asking permission to start the call. Being in tune with the receiver's tone and what's going on in the background can actually be something that can help you in the long run. If you hear something that serves as a connection you can bring that into the conversation hoping to help the person warm up. For example, if you have kids and hear kids in the background you can ask their ages to see if there is a common interest. The more confident you become in the call process, even with the less than enthusiastic students, the easier the call process will become. Thank you for your post!
I'm glad the course helped to raise your awareness on communication opportunities. What can you do to conduct your calls AND capture all the information? And what did you learn during the course that can help with your voicemail messages?
I also stuggle when I don't feel enthusiam in the reciver's tone. If I am making the call I assume I am disturbing the person if they respond uninterested. I always ask if it is a good time and if they respond yes but show no enthusiam or I hear background noise such as kids crying or loud TV I want to end my call as quckly as I can.
I want to work on telephone communication. I am apt to hurry my converations without getting all the information I need.
In addition, I feel like I have alot of improvement at leaving voice messages on the telephone. I do not have a very good return calls percentage
Our organization conducts admissions assessments around the country and you would be surprised at how many meetings are interrupted by in coming phone calls. I would imagine that your undivided attention during your appointments helps to make the student feel important. Great job! A visual reminder like a check list is also a great suggestion. Thank you for your post.
Face to face is my strongest form of communication. I use a check off sheet so I don't forget or leave out important issues. I also do not take calls when meeting with students. I have a greeting set up that assures possible students of a return call.
Many of our inquiries come in by email but also by telephone.
I feel that I am good at providing the prospective student with information, but there is always room for improvement.
Maria, this sounds like a great plan. Please let us know how that works for you.
Dr. Jean Norris
My telephone communication is my main focus due to the fact that all interviews are over the phone. I will concentrate on my tone on voice and will keep a guide to help me cover all the information that I want to provide.
If only they did clearly communicate their preferred mode, right?? Trying to set the tone is a great first step. Using various methods helps too. Thank you for your post.
That's great awareness. Let us know how your focus and efforts on improving your written sentences impacts your communication.
Although, they don't clearly communicate their preferred mode of communication, I would then try to set the tone and see if they respond.
I understand how you feel as I have experianced that myself. sometimes, what helps me, is to set the tone by being the person that generates the enthusiam, and the receiver will respond in kind.
I will work on my refined written sentences. I sometimes have the tendency to change thought direction or write like I speak and it dosen't translate well in a written forum.
That's great Debra! I'll bet your students like your upbeat personality. Are there any communication methods that you use that you might want to work on improving?
My phone communication skills are excellent. I like to be upbeat, positive and ask all the right questions.
I believe that I need to work on my email communication skills. I work in a job where that is about 90% of my communication with prospective students.
My verbal skills are good, but my written skills can be improved on. I will develop scripts to assist in relaying clear information.
Thank you for sharing, Andrea. What tools can you use to stay on track and communicate in an organized manner?
I would like to improve my face to face method of communication. I feel like it can sometimes seem unorganized or conversation gets off track.
