Exam Info

How to Make Everyone Love You

OK, so the internet police are going to get me for that headline. No way you're going to get everyone to love you.

However ...

There's a sure-fire way to endear yourself to agents and those you are examining. It's flexibility.

Probably 95% of the people I see make an appointment one time, and keep it. However, some have to cancel or postpone. It's going to happen.

If I'm easy-going about it, if I'm nice to people when they call to postpone, they will be happy. If I'm rude to them, unpleasant, or make it difficult, they will be less happy.

Ironically, being hard to get along with about postponements guarantees that you'll get stood up more. Because if people dread calling you to let you know they can't make an appointment, some of them just won't call at all, on the theory that forgiveness is easier to get than permission.

This is the way to be flexible, and still guarantee that most appointments will make at the time you set them.

First, as much as possible, go with the needs of those you're making appointments with. It's not always possible, and it's certainly not wrong to suggest a time if it's good for you. (I'm not suggesting you be a doormat). But if someone wants to do this at home, try to accomodate them. Same if they need to do it early, late, whatever.

Secondly, give them permission to call you. Of course, you give them your phone number. I give them that, and suggest that if they have questions (it almost never happens, but people feel better if it's OK to ask) they should call me. I also suggest that if they have a scheduling problem come up, they're welcome to call and reschedule, if need be. Again, this almost never happens, but people want to feel you're not some kind of ogre who just set their appointment time in stone.

Finally, before hanging up the phone, confirm details: "OK, so I'll meet you at your house next Tuesday afternoon at 4:30, right?"

Be pleasant. Be nice. Everyone won't love you. But most of them will.

Enjoy your day!

posted by Jim Huffman @ 5:29 AM