2: Researching a Purchase
Most of us have, at some point in our lives, considered an important purchase. Perhaps it was a home, a car, an appliance, a cell phone, a training program, a new computer…
What information helps us arrive at an informed decision?
The Researching a Purchase exercise explores this question.
Leading the Researching a Purchase Activity
Ask your client(s) to recall a significant purchase they made or are considering making.Then put the following questions to them.
What was it that you wanted?
What questions did you need to have answered before you were ready to buy?
What sources did you use to find answers to those questions?
Invite them to list the sources of information they used or could use to help make their purchase decision.
If facilitating this activity with a group of clients:
Invite them to form into pairs and have them compare their list of questions and sources, taking note of similarities and differences.
Bring your group back together for discussion. Invite a few to share their Making a Purchase story. What trends emerge in sources of information? Testimonials? Consumer reports? Product warranty information?
"How did the information you found help you make a decision?"
Discuss their responses
Underline their emotional experience of having information to support their decision. Prompt with probing questions such as:
- How did having information affect your confidence in making a decision?
- What did you find most helpful about what you learned?
Once positive impacts of information are identified in relation to a buying decision, bridge to LMI. Highlight that information has the same effect on all kinds of decision-making, including career decision-making.
You can then introduce a formal or information LMI source to your client or group to support their search for career-related information.
The Researching a Purchase exercise provides a bridge for highlighting the many ways in which we naturally seek information when making a significant purchase. These same skills support us when we are seeking career information and searching for meaningful work.
Click here to download the Research a Purchase worksheet. You can save and use this with your clients to highlight the value of research and information in career decision-making.
