Approach First Appointments As An Informational Interview

It’s common knowledge for job seekers to go on informational interviews to determine whether or not the job might be a good match.  But for entrepreneurs and business professionals this may be a new perspecitve.

Salespeople typically enter the office of a prospective client and begin selling upfront.  My question is, how do you know what your prospect needs, problems experienced, and benefits you might bring if you don’t begin the conversation by asking questions?

By approaching sales meetings with prospects and clients as if it were an informational interview, you will do far better in the long run.  It may take a bit longer to get the sale, but in the end you will receive accolades for being “the nice person” as well as enjoy repeat business and referrals.

Be of the mindset to learn as much as possible about the business upfront by doing research and conducting informational interviews.  Hiring managers will respect job seekers who do this, and prospective clients will be duly impressed.  This one strategy builds your personal brand as well as trust in you.  And this approach alone will lead you to the Smooth Sale!

Read Addtional Strategies and Techniques:

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

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