interviews

[jesscardona]

When someone calls you and wants to interview you (they are interviewing doulas) what do you take and what do you say at first?

[Kim Trower]

I take nothing..other than my agreement in case they decide to hire me on the spot I have something professional to go over with them. I usually e-mail them my agreement, some studies on the benefits of doulas and how dads and doula's work together.
Otherwise I say nothing...it is their time to ask questions and feel me out so I just answer.

[AmandaB]

Yes, take your contract. And know that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you ... it has to be "the right fit". Just be you, don't try and be the every Doula for everyboby.

[tlcdoula]

I hold the interviews at my office and so when they come I provide them with my contract, pamphlet and business cards. Typically I gave them the option of me talking first or them talking first

[dorothyh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona When someone calls you and wants to interview you (they are interviewing doulas) what do you take and what do you say at first?

I bring a folder with my business card attached with information about doulas in general, about our business, my biographical info, info about the prenatal classes we do, a pamplet about dads and doulas, some quotes from former clients,and 2 copies of the contract, and a SASE. I also bring them a copy of Lamaze Parents magazine.

I also bring a book I have put together with thank you cards, notes, etc, from former clients; also in the book with the notes there are some pics of those births/labor (nothing graphic and all notes and pictures are used with permission of course)

I bring the Special Women video - sometimes I'll show it, usually not.

Generally I introduce myself, and ask them what questions they have for me. If they are having a hard time getting started, I'll briefly go over what a doula is and isn't, my role, etc. Mostly I just answer their questions and see if we "connect". I have stopped trying to "sell" myself - I just be myself, if they want to hire me that is great, if not, that's ok too.

At the end of the interview, I tell them that I know this is a big decision and to take some time to think about it, if they decide to hire me they mail me back one copy of the contract along with a deposit. I tell them that I will hold the spot for them for a week, they can of course take longer to think about it , but after a week I am not holding the spot and they run the risk of me not being available for their birth. (I only take 1-2 clients a month, and do book up quickly) I do send a thank you email the next day, but that is it. I don't call them to ask if they made a decision ....if they call, great. If not, then I wasn't the right doula for them.

[jesscardona]

Thanks Dorothy, that's how I would like to do it, once I get going with more clients... but I'm just starting..

[DL]

Here is a past thread with some great information that may interest you. My detailed explanation of what I take is in the listed thread: First Interview. Of course, you'll probably read what everyone else does and modify, mix-n-match, etc. until you work something out that's perfect for you.

...oh, and this thread has great information that would be useful for any Interviews as well, not just for homebirths. HTHs!
Meeting a mom planning a homebirth