Not every family is looking for the same thing when hiring a Postpartum Doula. Some really prize experience, in the form of years working as a doula, and/or families served. Others put more emphasis on the personal “fit,” how they emotionally connect with this person, whether they have the right energy and approach for their family (along with, of course, professional training and some amount of relevant experience). Some parents value life experience more than they value professional experience, and still others have specialty area requests like a doula with extra lactation education, or experience working with twins or premature infants.
As part of our specialized matchmaking process we’ve sent many doulas out to many interviews over the years, and learned from the clients and from the doulas what resonated and went well, and what left the families feeling uncertain about the match. We’ve counseled our doulas before and after interviews about how best to communicate their particular strengths and offerings to the families, and how to establish a connection and to model what it would be like for the family to have that doula as a caretaker and support person, so that the family can make an informed decision that they feel confident in! From our experience, finding that perfect doula match all comes down to these three main tools or components: the bio, the interview, the references.
The Bio
The doula’s bio can serve to paint a picture of the doula’s qualifications and personality. It will include their training information, their philosophy towards support or their “why,” other relevant work experience, advanced trainings, and areas of expertise. The bio is often what opens the doors of communication– but it’s just a starting point! While it’s helpful to get a feel for what has led the doula to this line of work, we caution doulas not to go into too much detail about their own birth or postpartum experience, due to the fact that families want to make sure the doula is coming with an open mind and with their focus on that family’s experience, not with any personal agenda.
The Interview
The interview is a chance for the doula and parents to connect and get to know each other. We encourage doulas to just be comfortable in their own skin, and help the families get a sense of what it will be like to have that doula in their home! The doula will likely ask questions about the family’s goals and expectations for their postpartum period. The family might ask that the doula expand on what’s in her bio, and ask how they have supported other families. There can be talk of scheduling parameters and availability, fees if that hasn’t been covered prior, how any potential needs for backup support might be handled. These days it can also be a time to check in about expectations about social distancing and other covid-related questions. The interview is the opportunity for both parties to determine it’s a good fit and that they’d like to move forward.
The References
If you’re working with an agency such as ours, you may opt to skip this step due to the vetting that is part of our process (including calling references, and continually seeking feedback from families). Otherwise, checking in with a few families that a doula has previously served is a great way to gain insight into their philosophy towards care and their energetic presence in the home. Questions to ask include: What role did the doula play in the household? Did it change over time? How did they present themselves each day? Were they higher energy and personable, or lower energy and calming? How did their presence make you feel? How did they share information with you? Were they direct, or did they wait for you to ask for advice? Hearing their answers may help you gain clarity on what exactly you’re looking for and which of these factors are most important to you!
Both the bio and the interview work to establish a connection and to model what it would be like for the family to have that doula as a caretaker and support person, so that the family can make an informed decision that they feel good about. Calling references (or going through an agency that has done so) provides that added reassurance that helps you feel confident in your choice.
Parents!
If you’d like to get started with our Doula Matching Services, just fill out this brief form if you haven’t already. We’ll send you some additional information, then schedule an intake call, and then if you’re interested in moving forward, we’ll narrow down the search and send you bios of the doulas we feel would be a great match! There’s a little more info about our network of doulas here.
Doulas!
We’ve used our years of matchmaking experience to develop a prerecorded workshop, The Bio and Interview Masterclass for Doulas, where we can help you understand what families are looking for. We help make sure you are communicating your strengths and relevant experience in your written materials, such as your Doula Bio. We also help you with interview strategies that serve to set the tone, anticipate common interview questions, and communicate your value. Whether you’re a brand new doula or have been practicing for years, the interview process has the potential to transform your business and multiply your opportunities. Join us to make sure you are catching your clients’ attention and getting hired! Find more information here.