Can I Teach You To Ask A Question?

     In salesmanship, learning to ask questions is critical to success.  It seems easy.  It is not easy.  The natural thing to do when asked a question is to answer it.  "What experience do you have with computers?" your interviewer asks.  WOW! computers!  You know everything about computers.  You are an expert.  You could build one in your garage.  You are overwhelmed with the urge to tell  your interviewer how much experience you have and how much you know about computers.  You could probably talk for 15 minutes.  Most applicants do.

     Maybe, it would be better if you ask Mr. Interviewer a question  just to clarify.  "Mr. Interviewer, are you looking for someone with a lot of computer experience for this job?" you ask.  "Well not really with hardware.  We are looking for someone that understands SEO and that can help us improve our web presence." Mr Interviewer replies.  It just so happens that you are also an expert on SEO also.  Here comes that urge to spend 15 minutes telling Mr. Interviewer how much you know about that.  You resist that urge and ask another question.  " Is this position for an SEO expert?" you ask.  "Yes it is.  We had a good person doing this job but she left us for a better paying job elsewhere."  your interviewer responds.  You ask another question," What would be the characteristics of a desirable  candidate?" you ask.  Chances are Mr. Interviewer will tell you in great detail what he is looking for.  When you do start to tell him about yourself, you know what to say.

     The title to this article is "Can I Teach You To Ask Questions?"  The answer is probably not in this one little short article.  Can I make you aware that you need to learn and master this critical skill calling asking questions?  The person asking the questions is in control of the conversation.  The sooner in your professional career that you learn this, the better.  Practice answering questions with a question.  Practice using questions instead of statements.  Question work so much better.  Don't you agree?  Practice this all the time.  Practice it at work.  Practice it in social situations.  Ask your social companions about their vacation.  Don't tell them about yours.

     In a sales situation, ask your potential customer,"How will you use this?" "Where did you hear about us?"  "When do you want to start using this?"  In a job interview, ask questions.  You can ask questions that you already know the answer to.  Do not be a smart aleck about it.  If you are asking questions, you are going in the right direction.  If you are blah blah blah telling the other party stuff, you might tell them something that will cause them to buy from your competitor.  Ask,ask,ask.

     Let this article remind you to use questions to open doors for you.  In a job interview, in a sales interview, in a social setting, questions will be your best friend.

     Ron Climer is a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty In Hendersonville, North Carolina.  If you have any real estate that you need to get sold, call Ron at 828 755 6996 or www.lakeadgerforsale.com