I am new to online college admissions. I recenlty took a job as an online admissions advisor. I have worked as a contruction manager through my career up until this point.
So far my biggest weakness has been overcoming inital objections and info-dumping.
I seem to be able to conncet with most students easily though.
Great awareness, Nanette. It can be incredibly difficult to NOT multitask nowadays! Especially with the amount of technology at your fingertips. However, the act of multitasking takes your attention in a number of different directions anode ultimately distracts you from your main purpose on the phone - learning about your student.
I need to keep my multi-tasking to a minimum when I am on the phone. If I am working on multiple things, then I am not able to be fully present for the phone call.
I recognize the importance of active listening and make the effort to address the need and or ensure that I will get back to the indiviudal with the needed information.
Weaknesses: rushing through a call because the phone is still ringing; assuming something I don't know or did not uncover.
Strenghts: building rapport, listening, and expressing compassion and discerning situations that are a match....i.e. an enrollment that becomes a successful student.
I believe some of my weaknesses are that I talk too much on the phone and give too much information at once instead of providing it broken down throughout the call.
Another weakness I know I have is easily becoming frustrated when someone has a difficult time articulating what they are trying to express. After working in a different type of high-stress call center my first reaction was to deescalate a call. Now that it's not that way currently it's still hard for me to not jump the gun.
One of my strengths is I feel for people and have empathy for them. I know I also tend to forsee individuals strengths based on little information or their personality on the phone.
I feel like my one of my biggest strengths on the phone is that prospects and students connect pretty easily with me fairly quickly, which makes it a lot easier to develop rapport. My biggest weakness is probably rushing through the call a little bit. I feel like I can turn into a presenter too easily, and forget to ask probing questions.
