The client interview is your first opportunity to connect with potential clients, but it’s also a time when mistakes can easily happen. Here’s how to avoid three of the most common pitfalls doulas face during interviews, ensuring you’re making the most of this crucial time.
Mistake 1: Turning the Interview Into a Mini Prenatal
Some clients come to the interview bursting with questions. While it’s great to be seen as a trusted source of information, it’s easy to fall into the trap of answering so much that your interview turns into a mini childbirth education session. Before you know it, hours have passed, and you’ve already covered topics you’d usually save for a prenatal meeting.
To avoid this, focus on answering questions that:
- Help them make a hiring decision: Examples include:
- “What is your backup situation?”
- “When do you meet us during labor?”
- Address an immediate need: Examples include:
- “Is my hospital natural birth-friendly?”
- “Do you have a childbirth class you recommend?”
Gently redirect questions better suited for a prenatal session, like:
- “How will I know when it’s time to go to the hospital?”
- “What positions do you suggest for back labor?”
Remember, the interview is a time to determine if you’re the right fit for one another—not to give away your entire knowledge base. Use this time to highlight your unique skills and qualities while also learning about their needs and preferences.
Mistake 2: Criticizing Their Care Provider or Birthing Location
It’s not uncommon for clients to share stories about a previous doula interview that left them upset. One of the most frequent complaints? A doula criticizing their choice of care provider or birthing location.
As doulas, it’s essential to honor the client’s choices. If they ask for your opinion, you can provide thoughtful input or share potential challenges in a respectful way. However, avoid offering unsolicited criticism. Comments like, “You’ll have a terrible experience there,” or “You should switch providers,” are unlikely to build trust and may alienate potential clients.
If you know their choices don’t align with your preferences and you feel you wouldn’t be a good fit, it’s okay to say so. Referring them to another doula who is better aligned with their choices is far better than agreeing to work with them and hoping to change their mind later.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Interview Them
Early in your career, it’s easy to feel like you need to say “yes” to every potential client. But failing to interview the client can lead to mismatched expectations and missed red flags.
Your role in the interview is just as much about assessing fit as theirs is. Make a list of questions to ask potential clients, such as:
- “What are you looking for in a doula?”
- “What kind of birth experience are you hoping for?”
- “How do you envision your doula supporting you during labor?”
Not only does this help you identify whether you’re the right doula for them, but it also shows that you take the relationship seriously and approach your work professionally.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right during the interview, don’t ignore it. A little hesitation now can save you from significant challenges later.
Want to Master the Doula Interview?
If you’d like to refine your skills and learn how to command your next interview (or your first!), check out our course: Mastering the Doula Interview. You’ll gain practical tools to build confidence, spot red flags, and create a seamless interview process that sets the stage for successful doula-client relationships.
