Job interview the day before my due date!!

[babsie007]

I'm in the uk and I'm due this Thursday. I'm also returning to work on 31st march (8/9 weeks after baby arrives) and my dh is going to be working reduced hours to help with childcare and baby will then be at a childminders for the other days.

I'm keen to start a new (higher paid) job soon after maternity leave so I have been keeping an eye to the job boards. I applied last week to a position advertised with an agency for medical
Device sales and I found out today I have an interview this week! The agency know I have been on mat leave since Xmas and know my return to work date, but don't know I'm still pregnant.

The job is with a large global manufacturer so should be a professional outfit, but I am a little worried about the first stage interview... I'm clearly pregnant. Should I be open and honest about my situation and plans to return to work or should I not even bring it up? I know they can't actually ask me anything but I don't want to be ruled out in that basis. The agency have said I'm the strongest candidate they have for the role (although there are another 2 agencies recruiting also).

Thanks for the help!!

[Rockchick1984]

I'd bring it up - for all they know you are planning to take 12 months off from baby's due date, the fact that you could start without it being any longer than some notice periods is definitely a positive!!

[addictedtosugar]

I'd make it clear you'd be expecting to be ready for work End March, just as you might discuss notice periods with an employer.

Is the recruitment agent aware you may have to srop out at the last minuite, and why?

Good luck.

[maxpower]

Surely you'll have to tell tham you're due - what happens if the baby comes early? As an employer I'd appreciate the explanation of your situation and plans - it'd show me that you're a responsible and well organised potential employee. Good luck

[babsie007]

I have actually told the agency I'm still pregnant, but I in no way tried to lead them to believe I had had the baby. I re-read the initial email I sent them and all I mentioned was the maternity leave, when it started and when it ends. They haven't asked me anything about it (for obvious reasons probably).

I did feel that it would probably be a good starting point to the interview, for me to cover my pregnancy etc. so at least they aren't just going through the motions during the interview.

I'm very lucky that my hubby is so supportive. I'm the main earner so he is taking on more of a caring role and has started working compressed hours so only works a 4 day week. We already have a childmjnder appointed too so I will be having to pay for that from the start of April!!

[babsie007]

Another worry was that they would think I'm not going to be totally with it because I have a newborn?

[Domus]

Is this your first baby?

All your plans sound wonderful now but I promise you that no matter how you think life with baby is going to be , it won't be like that. It will be wonderful but it won't be how you think it will.

Others will come and say I shouldn't walk over your ambitions but taking on a new more demanding job 8/9 weeks after the birth of your (first?) baby is very ambitious indeed. Personally I think you should leave it a while and stick with what you know for now.

In any case, despite all the legislation in place to prevent it I think you will be very lucky to find an employer who wants to take a chance on you.

[ZenNudist]

I'd address your plans from the outset at interview & make it clear your dh and CM are picking up the slack.

Are you and dh so hard up he couldn't afford a bit more paternity leave? I understand you want to go back but I don't think you're giving yourselves very long before baby gets turned over to CM.

You could go 2 weeks overdue and (hope not) have a section so you won't even be recovered from that for 4 weeks.

Babies don't have much routine at first. Is your dh doing night feeds or have you considered a night nurse? Otherwise don't see how he could do 4 days work on so little sleep.

Btw - in due dc2 same day as you. Good luck, lets hope we are both on time!

[Domus]

"Another worry was that they would think I'm not going to be totally with it because I have a newborn?"

It is a legitimate concern because you won't. You'll be exhausted, still recovering from the birth and getting little sleep, hormones everywhere. It would be a very unusual woman who could be 100% on her game at work leaving a newborn at home. Good enough to return to a job you know well and where you are already respected because of the work you did before but to do well in a new job with new people who think your flakiness is normal. Not so sure.

[babsie007]

Yes this is my first baby. I earn more than double what my dh does so me staying at home longer isn't even an option - but we knew this when we decided to get pregnant.

We can afford for dh to take longer off on paternity leave but I'm under the impression that he can only do this once the baby is 5 months old? This would be ideal for us, that way he can be the primary carer to allow me back to work.

I admit, I have no idea what it's going to be like with a newborn and recovering from labour, all I know is that I have to be back at work and bringing in a salary and that dh
Is picking up the slack (and the cm too!).

I wonder if I was a man looking to start a new job 8 weeks after my wife/partner had a baby, would the employer also have these concerns?!

[babsie007]

Zen - you mention if I have to have a c section and I agree, this would totally change the game. But I will have had the baby by the time the first stage interview is completed so would have to pull myself out of the process. I am thinking positive thoughts regarding delivery!

[babsie007]

Sorry I mean I will have had the baby by the time that 2nd stage is happening so will have to pull out at that stage.

[chemenger]

When do you think the second stage interview will be? If it is soon after the birth it will be very hard indeed, you may bounce back very quickly and be able to look and act the part, physically and mentally, but that was not my experience. You will be short of sleep, possibly physically uncomfortable and possibly in a strange emotional state. If you are breast feeding it will be very difficult to be away from the baby for even a working day physically, emotionally it might be impossible. Even after a few months I was still liable to burst into tears if someone was remotely harsh to me, I can't imagine going through a competitive interview process. I had no idea I would feel that way beforehand, I work in a totally male dominated sector and am held to be hard hearted and tough, normally. None of this would apply to a man going back to work after a new baby because they do not have the physical and hormone stuff going on.

Going back to a job where you have friends would be very different from going to a new work environment where nobody will be cutting you any slack. I would think sales - where you need to be out dealing with customers - might be particularly hard.

[babsie007]

Chemenger - 2nd stage is on 6th February. If I don't go into labour on my own, the longest they will let me go is to 2nd feb some would be induced then. The interview will be very close to just having given birth.

I had considered breast feeding but it's something I have felt really unsure of and decided that it isn't really practical as I'm returning to work so soon.

I don't think I know what to expect emotionally. I had such an easy pregnancy, I was hoping to work up to my due date but once I reached 35 weeks, I felt bailout elf exhausted and just couldn't make it through a full day at work so ended up having to finish a week early (work had already asked me to start my maternity leave at Xmas as they were restricting the sales team from January and would be an easier break point for them).

I guess I will just be open at the interview this week (providing I'm not in labour by then)! And hope for the best. They might not even want to bring me back to the next stage.

[Domus]

I think a man looking to start a.new more demanding job with a newborrn at home would find it very difficult too and he wouldn't be recovering from the physical impact of the birth. I would recommend he stuck with what he knew and employers who know him/his track record and therefore more likely to cut him some slack too.

I'm not suggesting you delay returning but i do think making such a big change and putting yourself in such a stressful position at this time is foolish. Although i would have thought i could do it when in was in your position too.

[Chocotrekkie]

I would be totally honest with them.

Go in and bring it up straight away.

Let them know that you are due the next day and your husband is planning to take paternity leave from the end of march so you will be available to start then. You don't anticipate there being any problems and you are so keen to work for them you appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed by them. Ask them outright if they anticipate this being an issue.

Then the interview can start properly.

This is an approach I would value if I was interviewing you - honesty and willingness to tackle a difficult subject head on.

Any problems like c sections, not being able to take up the job etc is to worry about after you actually get through the interview and get the job.

Good luck !!

[BakingEating]

What's the worst that could happen? Provided that you're ok with having to pull out just go for it. I did an interview recently at 7 months and found the only difficulty I had was that I kept getting out of breath when answering questions. If/ when you get to the second round then you can see how you feel.

Oh and be up front with them so that there are no elephants in the room.

[babsie007]

Thanks everyone.

Bakingeating - I had that happening to me before I left for mat leave!!! It was so embarrassing when talking to my director and clients. It seems to have eased up for me now (I guess she has dropped??) so hopefully this won't be a problem.

I'm just going to go for if, bring up the pregnancy straight away and give the interview of my life!

[chemenger]

I hope everything works out for you and good luck in the interviews. However, I do think you are underestimating the effect having a baby will have on your whole life once he or she is here.

[getagoldtoof]

I started a new job when my baby was 4 weeks old and dh had baby until he was 8 months. I planned this for ages, but was ready to be flexible if I couldn't manage. In many countries, 8 weeks would be seen as a luxury. It sounds as though you've thought this through which is all you can do at this point. Good luck with job and baby!

[babsie007]

Thanks!

Interview has actually been postponed - they haven't confirmed the new date yet so just waiting to hear now and hoping it won't clash with baby arriving.

[MissPryde]

Chocotrekkie has said everything I would have.

It sounds like you've made the best plan for your family. Like has been said, many would consider 8 weeks a luxury, I'm a little miffed at the replies implying you'll be incapable somehow. I'm in the land of 12-weeks-unpaid, many women return to work within weeks. I by no means think that's an ideal, but it's certainly doable, and you've definitely thought this through to do the best for your family.

[babsie007]

I guess everyone recovers and adjusts at their own pace? I know the maternity pay in the uk isn't forest it the duration does give women the luxury of being home for nearly a year (longer with no pay). But then you look at what's on offer in the states and some women are going back within days and weeks of having a baby.

I never intended to be a sahm or to even stay at home longer than a few months - 3 months was my max due finances. Once she gets here, I'm sure I will soon realise what's doable for us and what needs rehashed!

It is difficult to know what to expect when it's your first, but also from what I hear no 2 births and recoveries are the same either!

[babsie007]

Isn't great I mean, autocorrect seems to think forest..

[Morien]

I had an interview on Monday at 37+1 - internal move, but a completely different job. I didn't mention it until the end, when I said, 'there's just one other thing I feel I have to mention...', and they all burst out laughing. I was open about my plans to have about 6 months off, and was told that it wouldn't sway them either way. I've seen threads here before where OPs are advised not to volunteer any information about their (v obvious) pregnancy at all, but I felt that would have been extremely unprofessional; I needed them to know that I'm not available right away.

Bit different to your situation, I know, but what I'm getting on to is that before the interview I desperately wanted the job, but now I've started to wonder about the timing. Do I really want to go back after ML to a job where everything and everyone is new to me? I didn't think it would bother me, but the reality of the interview made me think about it. (Obviously I may not get the job, in which case I won't have to decide). I still think it would be the perfect job for me...at another time.

Anyway, good luck!

[dizhin79]

These days with Skype and such like it shouldn't matter how u interview, especially for a sales type role the more hungry you are for the role the better impression you will make I would have thought. If you have to interview in the week post birth I would ask for a heads up on questions they will ask do that you can prepare and have things written out and hope for a sympathetic interviewer. They
may not allow it but it's worth asking

I agree with pp, you won't know how you will feel but also agree 8 weeks would be a luxury in most other countries. Here's hoping for a smooth birth and quick recovery