Interviewing while pregnant

[thesquirrelsrwatchin]

I am two weeks away from my due date and just got a job interview for next Monday. I plan to take 6 months off of work for maternity leave and don't want to cut that short. I'm afraid I'll regret not spending the time with my LO. 

This job is with the state and I currently work for the state. I didn't want to look for a job being this pregnant, but the state finally posted the civil service test for which I had been waiting 3 years to take. Once you take the test and any available job with this title comes up, an availability survey gets sent out. So far I filled out two and have gotten an interview for one. I aced the test, so I know I'll be getting interviewed for any job for which I get a survey.

My husband says I should interview and let them tell me no based on my availability (if they tell me no). I know other positions will come, hopefully closer to August when I'm ready to go back to work. 

I guess my question is how to address the fact that I'm obviously 9 months pregnant and plan to use maternity leave?,

[angeldcf]

Definitely interview and let them know of your availability date. You may need to negotiate time off or come back earlier if you really want this job and it's beneficial for your career. No need to discuss pg during interview (it's obvious but still off limits) but you should discuss start date. If they need somebody asap, then it won't work out, but you're still out there interviewing & getting your name/qualifications in front of them.

I interviewed at 27wks pg last time & started when LO was 3 months old.

[michelle142]

Well, seeing as maternity leave won't apply to your immediate situation with the new job anyway (unless it transfers because you're currently working with the state and this is a state job?) I don't think it will really matter what you say to them.

I would say, do the interview, tell them your immediate plan, and go from there. The worst they can do is not hire you. If nothing else it will give you interview experience and get you on the radar for that position or a similar one.

[thesquirrelsrwatchin]

Yes, the maternity leave does transfer because it's one state agency to another.

[seamonster]

I would do the interview anyway and tell them when you are available to actually start. I wouldn't bring up being pregnant and on maternity leave.

[kcrosem]

Waiting for the right candidate can be better than someone that has immediate availability depending on the circumstances. I recently hired someone and we started the process in July but our choice didn't start till January. Various reasons, maybe 1/2 due to the candidate.

[flyster]

I also say interview. Things happen all the time, like their budget might get cut and they need to delay the hire, they might hire someone but it doesn't work out so they have to start again, ect. Plus ditto the experience part, and overall making contacts at the agency/division that you are looking out. There is no downside to interviewing, except for having to put on nice clothing.

[Irishcurls]

Feb 2, 2015 14:20:53 GMT -5 seamonster said:

I would do the interview anyway and tell them when you are available to actually start. I wouldn't bring up being pregnant and on maternity leave.

Yup this is what I was thinking. At the end when they say "do you have any questions, or what is your availability" etc you say "I'm planning on being out of the workforce until X date." And depending on what the job is, and if you really click, maybe you reevaluate the 6 months and are available in 3-4. You never know. Plus its great experience and practice! Good luck!

[duckker]

Agree with all those smarty-pants people up there ^.

I'm in pretty much the same boat--it's crazy-making trying to figure out how to go full time when you don't know what the story is with the baby yet, but I figured it was good to interview and see what's out there. I'm really glad I have so far. I got a job offer for a part time gig. Initially, when I told her I was due mid-Feb, she said she wanted me to start March 2 (!). I asked for time to discuss with my husband (didn't want to say no immediately) and then contacted her and said that a March start date was definitely out, although I was interested in the position and hoped she would keep me in mind if she had to go with someone else due to my availability. She said for me to have the baby, get settled, and then reach out to her to discuss a late April/early May date. Second job interview (on Friday) was for a great full time job, and went really well. At the end they said that they wanted someone ASAP. I just threw it on the table and said "I'm obviously pregnant, and don't want to commit to an exact date right now not knowing how the next few weeks will go. But I am willing to discuss the following options if you think I'd be a good fit (and then listed some things)." Turns out that two of the women didn't know I was pregnant (they came in when I was already seated at the table), there is on-site childcare, and the boss encourages mothers to bring their babies to work for the first 6 mos. to a year. They said they would be in touch early this week--so now I'm trying not to obsess over when I will finally go into labor AND whether or not I get a job offer. Keeps life a little spicy.

So, short story--DH is right. Let them say no. Whether you choose to mention your pregnancy or not is up to you--but for me it made it easier to talk through realistic options. Legally, they can't not hire you due to the pregnancy, but they can not hire you if you won't be available when they need you. And it could be very difficult to ever know how they made that decision. I do think all of the suggestions PPs gave for how to phrase your needs are great, and it really just depends on how you feel at the end of the interview. (Plus it is a great way to kill time while you are waiting the interminable last weeks before birth!)