Professional Services Interviews
Lawyers, Accountants, Insurance Agents, Web Developers, Consultants, Financial Planners, Writers
Interview Questions
What is your name, occupation and specialty?
My name is Jane Doe and I am a graphic designer that primarily provides web development work to local businesses and non-profits.
What kind of relevant education or experience do you have in your field?
I have a bachelors in design from Western Michigan and have been providing full time graphic design since July of 2000.
What is a philosophy or key to success you live by related to your area of expertise?
The key to great design is to visualize the experience of your customer.
What skills or certifications do you have, and what services do you offer?
I am skilled in adobe illustrator, WordPress and photo shop, and offer graphic design, web development and photography services.
What do you try to achieve for your customers?
I really try and create a design and suggest text that excites the customer.
Are you active in your community?
I’m very active in my community and my son’s education, and am always thinking of ways to make the world a better place.
What are some of the most interesting things you’ve learned while providing your service that helps you better assist your customers?
I’ve spent the last two years learning more about marketing and how it connects with the user experience in an effort to help my customers increase their customers.
How does the service process work for new customers?
When a new client contacts us, we gather some information over the phone and set up a meeting where we present 3 ideas typically. Most websites are completed within 1 to 2 months.
Share some expert advice.
Over the years I’ve seen what aspects of a website generate the most sales for businesses, and the top two things I can recommend for your website are real photos and video of the business. Stay away from stock photos.
Give customers your name and invite customers to do business with you.
My name is Bill James, and I look forward to working with you!
Optional Questions
- How do you receive most of your customers?
- What is one of your proudest achievements of your business?
- How did the business find its beginnings?
- What do you love about your job?
- How is your service different from others?
- Do you have any special software or tech that is not commonly used?
Things You Can Say to the Owner Before the Shoot
Getting your business owner comfortable in front of the camera is one of the most important aspects of your video. Studies show that how you say it is more important than what you say. You want your subject to come across as relaxed, happy, confident, approachable, enthusiastic and eloquent. Move the camera back. Try to make the process fun for them. Shots of the subject smiling and laughing will be among your best shots. Show interest in what they are doing. Stay positive with yout feedback. Have them do an over the top take to help boost their enthusiasm if needed.
- Speaking on camera is easy. If you have experience speaking face to face at work, it will a breeze to look good on camera. And for any reason you don’t like the way you look, we can just use the audio.
- There is no reason to be nervous. Most of what we are shooting will only be used for the audio as shots of your business will be shown while you speak in the background.
- This should only take about 20 minutes, but there’s no hurry. We can redo it until we get you looking your best.
- Look at the camera person, not the camera lens. Imagine you’re having a conversation. Or if your marketing calls for a script that is geared toward speaking directly to your customer, and warrants looking directly into the camera, look past the lens. Visualize your audience.
- Answer interview questions off the top of your head. (If you are reciting a prewritten answer, or using the modified script approach, try to recite the lines to sound as if you are answering the questions off the top of your head.)
- Your first take is often your best take because it is the most natural. So if you make a mistake, or “um” or pause, just keep going as these can be edited out.
- While answering, if you think of a side point, talk about it even though it wasn’t asked. It is good to go off on a tangent.
- Include the question in the answer. For example, if asked, “How long have you been in business?”, instead of answering “6 years”, answer “Smith Roofing has been in business for 6 years.”
After the interview is complete, watch parts of it back, and show the client how they are coming across. This will help them do it again with more confidence and enthusiasm.