Attract the Right Job or Clientele: 25 Questions to Ask on Initial Meetings to Move Toward “Yes”!
A recent introduction at an event almost had me pulling my hair out. The conversation directed at me was filled with incorrect assumptions. Even worse, the person spoke down to me in a very demeaning manner. It was all I could do to remain calm.
But then I remembered the advice recently provided, and that was to write about the most aggravating experiences so that others may learn from them. Some of the following questions will work for job seekers while speaking to hiring managers. Businesspeople becoming acquainted with new prospective clients should consider incorporating these into their repertoire.
Note: after each response to a question, do your best to develop the conversation to gain further insight. And then as appropriate, ask another question and repeat.
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- What caught your attention to attend this event today?
Job Seekers: What caught your attention on my resume to invite me in today? - What type of business are you in?
- Who is your core clientele?
- How would you like to expand your clientele?
- What strategies such as marketing/sales do you have in place for expansion?
- Are you active on social media?
- Which social media sites are your favorites?
- Do you have large followings; what do you attribute this to?
- If you could provide one tip for effective social media usage what would it be?
- How did you get into the work you do?
- What are the favorite areas of your job / business?
- What is your grandest vision to yet be achieved?
- Do you have a team helping you?
- Job Seekers: When interviewing ask to meet some team members. They will give you accurate insight for working there.
- If there was one thing you could improve, what would it be?
- If I could help you, are there particular types of introductions you would like made?
- What are your goals for year-end?
- Are you contemplating specific new goals for next year?
- Are you seeking help in some way to achieve those new goals?
- Given your expertise, is there anything you would advise me to do?
- Would you like to meet by phone or in-person one day to get to follow-up with a more in-depth conversation?
- Please provide a choice of dates and times for us to meet and I will confirm one.
- Is there anything extra you would like me to research or bring to the meeting?
- Do you have any special holiday or vacation plans?
- What is your preferred method of contact to follow up?
Job Seekers: Do I appear to be the type of candidate you are seeking? When would you like me to start?
You wouldn’t necessarily ask all of these questions of one new contact. But go with the flow of conversation and remember to inquire of their business and personal goals to get to know them better. The entire idea is to not sell on the first meeting but to recognize whether there is a good qualified match for doing business.
The more you get to know one another well, the stronger the relationship. It’s the strong relationships that lead to the Smooth Sale!
Books For Sales Strategies:
Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, Sourcebooks
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews, Career Press
In Need of Inspirational Speaking, Sales Training, or Coaching: Contact Us
