interviewing while pregnant
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Anonymous
| I left my federal position to stay home with my son nearly 5 years ago. I am expecting a second in dec but was planning on going back to work next summer when my oldest starts kindergarten. I have been volunteering and taking a class in the meantime but have been searching job postings to get a feel of what is out there. I came across what sounds like a really good match. Would you apply and (potentially) go for an interview while 7 mos pregnant? Would you wait to mention the pregnancy during the offer stage or bring up the elephant in the room at the interview? Part of me thinks why rush the job process, but another part thinks why not take a chance and what's the worst that can happen. |
Anonymous
| I've been torn about this as well (I'm due in early Nov so the window is rapidly closing for me in terms of how realistically I can interview now, but it could still work for you). I tend to lean towards your second point - what's the worst that could happen? I would likely not mention the pregnancy until the interview - just mention it when you're there, explain that you were really interested in the position and would be flexible if it worked out for you both, etc. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't bother. |
Anonymous
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I'm 5 months and interviewing coming off of a graduate program. I thought I would have been luckier in my search and had a job 4-6 months ago, ended up getting pregnant in that time and now have some interviews coming up. Its sort of obvious in my new interview "outfit" since I am no longer able to get into my skirts, pants, shift dresses that I am used to, but may or may not be obvious to someone who has never seen me.
I don't see how it can hurt to go to the interview. I thought there is no way anyone would touch me if they can tell I am pregnant (I would offer the info when talking about a possible offer and negotiating expectations for available -unpaid- leave) but I have had 2 friends now who secured their jobs while late in their pregnancy. One started after her leave (same company but totally different role/department- promotion) and one worked and took a shorter leave and then returned. Never know. |
Anonymous
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I say why not! The worst that could happen is you get a reality check about how difficult it is to ge an interview these days. The best case, you will get experience interviewing an maybe making some connections.
Given your timeframe I would say you are very unlikely to get a job willing to wait, but I think it's good to get started. |
Anonymous
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The issue is when the company needs you to start working. If, with your maternity leave, that start-date works for all parties, then they won't let a little pregnancy get in the way of a job candidate.
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Anonymous
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Agree with the above. I had a successful series of interviews when 7 months pregnant. I did not bring up the pregnancy -- it was obvious -- but I did indicate in the second interview that I wanted to talk about start dates. They said they wanted to wait on that until after the offer (for legal reasons, I assume).
Can't hurt to try. Plus, I find that interviewing skills need to be practiced: my best interviews have been those when I've been job hunting for a while and gotten used to interviewing regularly. |
Anonymous
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Have been wondering this myself. Trying to leave a job the last two months, been applying with no luck so far, no interviews even. I just found out a couple weeks ago that I'm expecting, and trying to figure out if I should give up on the new job, keep interviewing until I show, keep interviewing for the duration...?
Considering using it as an excuse to leave my current job and boss I dislike, and then just try to apply to new jobs again during maternity leave once I'm ready to go back. For those that would interview while pregnant, would you expect a new job to start during your pregnancy and then provide leave benefits? Or would you expect to negotiate a months-away start date for after your delivery/maternity? |
Anonymous
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interviewing is a good skill. I think it'll be good for you to have the chance.
however, you probably won't get the job. I interviewed pregnant and nada. you can't prove that's why they didn't hire you, but.... I would do it for the interview experience. Just don't expect much to come of it, sadly. |
Anonymous
Leave is tricky. You have to be at a place for a year before you are entitled to FMLA, I think, and company policies may also require a certain amount of time in the position to be eligible for any leave. Plus, if you start during pregnancy, work a few months, and then take 3 months off, what's the benefit to the employer? I think that starting the job after you have the baby is cleaner, assuming that the company is willing/needs the later start date. |
Anonymous
PP here you quoted, so true. I've been reading more about the FMLA requirements and unless the company you're about to join (while still pregnant) is awesome, the likelihood is slim (in my eyes) that you'd have either 1) the opportunity to receive any maternity benefit and 2) the opportunity to delay start by several months. For example in my case, I am very early on in pregnancy. Even if I were able to gain a new job by Dec 31, at 4 months pregnant, what are the chances the new employer will allow a start date of 6-8 more months from then? 
Ugh. Of course I am glad to have any job, and can stay with my current position but boy, it can get toxic and my tolerance for it is MUCH lower these days while simultaneously dealing with early pregnancy crap! Have considered quitting my current job before delivery and then having the flexibility to stay home as long as I would like (stayed home 8 mos with my first), and then find a new job during that time. Caveat being they say it's so hard to find a job when you don't have one! The world doesn't make it easy for us working pregnant gals does it. |
Anonymous
this is good advice. by all means interview interview interview! either you get a job (hooray!) or you don't and you at least got practice and maybe even will gain knowledge on what you do/do not want. if you don't at least try you certainly wont get a job. |
Anonymous
| oh wait, this is pp, I was thinking you currently were not working at all, so there was nothing to lose. if you currently have a job I would change my answer and say stick with current job to keep your benefits, since yes you probably wont have any at a new job |
Anonymous
| My cousin got hired by the PTO while she was clearly pregnant. It happens! Go for it! |