What great awareness to have, Corrine! It sounds like you appreciate structure and routine and yet feel as though it might be limiting your success. I'm curious to hear what some of your ideas are to be more strategice in connecting with your students. A pretty straightforward suggestion would be to do your best to vary your call times for the various time zones and maybe even try connecting with your students in a different way (email, text, etc.) - as long as you have approval, of course. What else do you think you might try?
Shannon Gormley
I am a creature of habit (one might say very OCD). I tend to get into a routine of calling. I tend to call the same time zones at the same time of day. I can make up to 300 dials a day but not get very many inital contacts. Any helpful hints on strategic dialing?
Without a doubt this is a huge challenge. In this case, it would be important to multi-task, as you don't want to not service your students. What are some ideas that you have to address this when it happens?
Great observations, Joshua. Sometimes the student may seem disinterested because they don't feel connected. When this happens, it might be helpful to go back to talking about things that you may have in common or are interested in.
You're defintely not alone on this, Heather. It's amazing how "fillers" can find their way into any conversation. Knowing what you want to accomplish before the call can help eliminate the need for fillers. Good luck in your future phone interactions.
Excellent awareness, Sharon. Using the information that you've gathered in previous conversations and interactions will not only help you in preparing for your call, it will also help you to demonstrate the the student was heard and continue to build that relationship up.
Multitasking when you have 15 phones ringing and waiting to be answered is difficult not to do. I do the same thing.
I use fillers too much, and I often speak too quickly. I need to slow down and give my students an opportunity to speak.
I need to do a better job of preparing for the call and recalling the history of where we left our last conversation, what has been done in the admission process, etc. Maybe keeping better notes from the personal side of the conversations too so that the rapport is built in follow up calls.
I think that being patient with my probing and not immediately dismissing the prospects that seem disinterested. Most of the time, if they are disinterested, it is because I didn't take the proper time to listen to them and build rapport.
Interesting. What do you think stops you at 3?
I would love to be able to make MORE calls. I usually stop at 3....it seems i should go to 5 or 6!
Excellent observation, Germaine. Once we are aware of the areas that offer opportunity - we can begin to address them. Best of luck to you.
Rushing through the call because I have a student waiting in FA or one thet just walked in. Better time management would be my biggest hurdle
Excellent awareness, Jessica. It sounds like you do your best to assist your students but would prefer that they come on campus to get to know them a little better. Building rapport up front may help increase the number of students that show for their appointments, as it demonstrates your ability to connect with individuals at their level first. What might you do initially to start building rapport on the phone?
I don't think I take enough time talking with prospective students on the phone. My goal is always to answer as many questions as possible at an appt in person, so I usually keep it short and focus on the appt.
I think this may help reduce the num,ber of no shows by having a little better a report with them before they even come in for an appt.
Great insights, Linda. It can be challenging to not multitask when you're on the phone, especially when you've got a lot going on! My guess is that by not multitasking, you'll be able to stay focused on your caller and the conversation. Good luck!
Trying to multitask vs. staying focused on calling. Also it would be very beneficial to start tracking my calls. I need to do a better job on switching up call times and seeing when I called last.
You're not alone with this Jason! Fillers seem harmless enough, yet they can tell the person on the other side of the conversation that you're unsure of yourself. Knowing that this is a challenge for you, how will you avoid using fillers in the future?
Yes! Fillers always seem to find there way out of my mouth when I am asked a question that i need to think about for a second.
UMMM
