Job interview , Don't want to lie but don't want to scupper my chances

[KittyFourPaws]

Hi
Unexpected job interview this pm.

Previously applied for part time position 6 weeks ago , didn't get it, now being asked in to "chat" about another position. It's a job I would love to do.

In the mean time I have offered to be a volunteer doual and would need to be "on call" for approx 6 weeks March /April around the mothers due date.

Practically this would mean that at some point in march / April I might have to go an support the mother and could be with her for 24 hours or so.

I would , of course, take this as holiday.

In reality,if I suddenly couldn't come into work it would be no different to getting ill and being off work for a couple of days. Though my employer might , of course, not see it this way.

But do I mention this in the "chat" ?

Do i settle in and then mention it ?

Do I tell the mother I cant be her doula unless she delivers sat / sun ??!!! ( yeah right, babies are this accommodating !)

I would hate to let her down as she is vulnerable and in need to of the extra support and , locally, is very unlikely to find another volunteer doula.

I realize that a job has to come before any volunteering I may have committed to but being a doula is my long term plan for a career so is also important to me.

The position I am applying for is in the NHS if that make any difference. But its not patient focused , my absence for a couple of days ( at most) would be aggravating ( as any staff absence is ) and would not require anyone to be brought in to cover for me.

thanks

hi xoxo, thanks, I can see what you meant now.

I got the job !

I didn't mention the volunteering, They do seem to be flexible though , another staff member comes in "late" 3 days a week to fit in with school drop off so I'm hoping that's a good sign .

I'll speak to my line manager as soon as poss after I've settled in and we'll see how it goes.

But I'm chuffed to get the role and if I can also be given the opportunity for leave to attend the birth that will be the icing on the cake.

I'll concentrate on the role for now and see what the new year brings.

thanks to all who posted.

Congratulations on the job OP!
I'd wait until you have started work and see how flexible they are at that point.
If you aren't able to honour the doula commitment then do try and give the mum as much notice as possible so she can find someone else.
On a related note, how do doulas manage if they have 2 clients who go into labour at the same time?

Fantastic, OP, well done!!

hi chiara,

most doulas wont book more than one mother in any given 4 week period6
. If two mothers do happen to give birth on the same day e.g. one is early one is late then a backup doula will , usually, attend the birth,

Its not always possible to guarantee a doula at a birth of course , but a doula who is taking on to many clients is not proving the service she has been paid for.

I do have a back up doula I could call on but I would have to pay her as for her its a business not a volunteer role.

Congratulations on the job op!