Page 77 - Oscar Adler - Sell Yourself in Any Interview_ Use Proven Sales Techniques to Land Your Dream Job (2008)

LISTEN BETTER TO LEARN WHAT’S IMPORTANT

❏ Where do people feel uncomfortable?

❏ When does the conversation stop?
❏ How does it get moving again?

❏ What kinds of transitions interrupt the flow of conversa-
tion, and which ones facilitate it?

Make a mental note of effective listening techniques, and
practice them until they become a part of your own repertoire.
How do you know if you are being a good listener? One
good way is to pay attention to how you react when you are
in a situation where you really want to hear something—lis-
tening to a concert or a great piece of music, watching your
favorite television show, or talking on the phone to a long-lost
friend. If you hate being interrupted during any of these cir-
cumstances, you can be pretty sure that you have been lis-
tening well. What happens during these kinds of situations
that make it easier or harder to pay attention?
By becoming a conscious listener, you continue to hone
your listening skills. One useful tool is to reflect back on what
you have just heard. By repeating what the speaker has just
said, you are confirming that you heard it correctly. If not, you
allow the speaker the opportunity to clarify his or her mean-
ing. Once you are sure that you understand, you can respond
appropriately, using your features/benefits skills to their best
advantage. Practice conscious listening every day. Obviously,
you can do it wherever you go.

TELEPHONE LISTENING SKILLS

Good phone skills are vital during the job-hunting process.
At a minimum, you will use the phone to set appointments,

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