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36 weeks pregnant and a job interview next week!!

14 replies

2cats2many · 24/09/2008 18:55

So......I've just been made redundant from my job. I knew it was coming for a while so I started applying for jobs a couple of months ago. Even though I knew the baby was coming, I think just applying made me feel a bit better about my situation and I also decided that if I didn't apply, I definately wouldn't get the job, so I might as well give it a shot.

So, I got the call today inviting me for an interview. I almost bottled it, but thought: 'Oh what the hell' and decided to go for it.

Its a good job, pays £55k and is closer to home than my last job.

My questions are: 1) do you think I'm out of order going along for the interview when I won't be able to start work until next summer and, 2) Do you think I've got ANY chance at all of being given a fair shot at the job?

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pop1973 · 24/09/2008 18:56

When will the job want you to start ?

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2cats2many · 24/09/2008 18:57

They haven't specified. If I was still working, I'd be n a 3 month notice anyway.

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pop1973 · 24/09/2008 19:00

Are you planning on going back to work soon after the baby is born, or are you going to take the full maternity ?

They do have to give you a fair interview. They can't really ask about maternity and pregnancy during the interview.

If it was me then I would have probably said to them when they rang that I wouldn't be able to take up the job until ... month.

A tricky situation to be in though, especially if you really want the job

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2cats2many · 24/09/2008 19:04

I know they can't ask me about my pregnancy at the interview, so I thought I'd offer some information along the lines of: ' You can't have helped noticing that I'm very pregnant and you might be wondering what I'm doing here. I'm here because the job sounded great and I know that I'll be really good at it. However, I'm not going to be available to start until the end of July, but I hope that I've impressed you enough to consider waiting for me....' etc, etc....

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pop1973 · 24/09/2008 19:06

Yes a good topic to start the interview of on, I would say something along the lines of this first.

Otherwise you will only have the interview panel sitting staring at your stomach the whole time. It might be best to be honest at the start, so they will concentrate on the answers you give to them during the interview.

When is your interview ?

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2cats2many · 24/09/2008 19:07

Next Wednesday. Fingers crossed the baby doesn't decide to come 3 weeks early....

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pop1973 · 24/09/2008 19:07

Good luck, let us know how you get on with your interview and report back if you get the job.

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2cats2many · 24/09/2008 19:09

I'll be blummin' AMAZED if I get the job. I'd have a very good chance if I wasn't up the duff, but I don't think all the sex discrimination legislation in the world is going to help me in this situation.

Its all good interview experience tho'.

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2cats2many · 24/09/2008 20:07

Thanks to Pop for her comments. I'd love to know what other people think......

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2cats2many · 25/09/2008 13:38

bump

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flowerybeanbag · 25/09/2008 14:35

Definitely go for the interview. I think what you are proposing to say sounds fine.

Whether you get a genuine fair shot at the job will depend on the circumstances and the employer. But if you wow them completely and are head and shoulders (and bump!) above the rest, they may be more than happy to either wait, or offer the second-choice candidate a 9 month contract in the meantime.

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2cats2many · 25/09/2008 14:41

Thanks Flowery.I was hoping you'd spot this thread and respond.

I'm planning on acing the interview, but am dreading the looks on the panel's faces when they first see me. I'm being interviewed by the MD and two directors, but it's public sector so I'm hoping that they'll at least listen to what I've got to say rather than dismissing me out of hand.

All my friends think I'm mad and should have told them on my application form, but I can't see how I would have ever been shortlisted if I'd done that.

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flowerybeanbag · 25/09/2008 14:44

You were right not to tell them on an application form. Unlikely you would have been shortlisted I think if they could possibly have got away with doing that.

This way you get a chance to seduce them. Their faces will fall when they see you, and don't hold that against them. You will have more of a mountain to climb than a 'normal' person. But that doesn't mean you can't climb it. They would be unwise to dismiss you out of hand if they don't want to risk a discrimination claim so they will give you a proper chance at the interview to sell yourself and make the impact you need to.