Jason Fried has posted a list of questions he asks referees he calls for new employees. I read through the list and thought that it would be equally impressive to see our clients answer some or all of these questions in their reviews.

Shape the questions so they serve you, but instead of asking for a plain old review, try asking your couples a question and ask them to share it as a Google, Facebook, or other form of review:

  • What’s something that would surprise people about you?
  • What’s the difference between how they interview and how they deliver on the job?
  • If you were getting married again, would you absolutely hire this person again for a similar role?
  • What are they better at than they think, and, on the flip side, worse at than they think?
  • What sort of things do they do that often go unnoticed or are under-appreciated?
  • What don’t they get enough credit for?
  • Are they more curious or critical about what they don’t understand?
  • What’s the one thing nearly everyone would say about them?
  • What kind of couple or wedding feels like a natural fit? And which kind would be a challenge?
  • Can you describe a time when they changed their mind? From what to what, and what caused the change?
  • What’s the best thing about working with them? And the hardest?
  • If you could change something about them, what would it be?
  • When have you seen them get in over their head? And how did that turn out?
  • Have you seen them get better at something? Worse?
  • Do they make other people better? How?
  • Are they better at taking credit or giving credit?
  • Are they more likely to adjust to something, or try to adjust the thing?
  • Primary blindspot? And bright spot?
  • As well as you know this person, what do you think their secret ambition is?
  • If they hadn’t been at your wedding, how would your wedding have been different?
  • Have they ever changed your mind?
  • How have they changed during the time you knew them?
  • Do you still keep in touch even though you don’t work together anymore?
  • What do they need to be successful?
  • Why do you think we’d have a better wedding with them on board?