To mention my mum at interview?

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Background which is relevant - my mum works at clinic in our local town. She does two clinics per week there, has been there for years and is well known. She does a well woman clinic and a menopause clinic. She is well regarded (I think) and good at her job (many clients will only see her and give gifts etc).

I have an interview on Tuesday (really keen on the job) and it is based in the same location. It is a different role but she knows the two Interviewers well. One would be my boss if successful. On the phone to mum today discussing the job and I tell her the names of the panel. She pipes up 'oh you must mention that you know me'. I feel a bit eek about this and not sure what to do. Obviously want to get the job on my own merits but would feel a little awkward if they found out who I am without saying. Not sure what to do ......

I would, it can't harm.

It'll still boil down to how much experience you have and how well you work anyway.

Nepotism?

Can work both ways. You might be wonderful and your mum might have an inflated self of self importance; they might employ you and you might destroy your mums reputation.

How about you get a job on your own merit?

Attempted nepotism isn't the best idea. It may irritate the interviewers too.

Go for the job solely on your own merits.

I wouldn't mention it - you cannot possibly do so without it looking like you think it will help you get the job, and it shouldn't help you - you're not your mum and their opinion of her should have no relevance to their opinion of you.

The only time you should mention your mum at all is if they say, 'oh Mrs X is in charge of Y and blah blah blah' in which case you could say 'Yes, I know, Mrs X is my mother'. But even then only if they explicitly mention her by name and then go on to expand on what her job role is and how it affects the role you have applied for.

Anything that makes you memorable in a positive light can help, though it ought to boil down to your score against the job specification. If you can mention it at an appropriate point at the end, or an informal moment (like during a tour) then why not.

Although, would you want to be known as x's daughter before you've had chance to shine in your own right? And what if the panel aren't looking for someone like your mum (however great she is)?

Maybe she meant in a "disclosing a close relationship with someone else in the workplace to make sure all above board" kind of way rather than a nepotism way?

Don't mention it - it will come across as a bit shameless.

Plus, while I'm sure your Mum is lovely - you don't necessarily know that the interviewers like her.

They may know you.

OH applied for a job within my office and refused to mention me to the interviewer, who was a friend of mine. It was like an elephant in the room because he knew who my OH was (from his name). My friend just winked and said "I'll tell Kirjava it went well!"

They may mention the connection before you do. I don't think it could harm, surely?

My sister never mentioned to her colleagues that our cousin works for the same company. Not only that, she was very high up in her role. Her colleagues used to slag her off something rotten and still my sister never let on. Cue many red faces when it was discovered

I would feel a bit uncomfortable if someone mentioned a family connection in an interview. Mention it if you get offered the job.

YABU on this one, I would recommend not mentioning anything until, as Icelolly posted, you get the job. Best of luck at the interview too.

Actually, you should mention it prior to interview. The person who knows your mum should be aware of the connection so they can have someone else interview you in their place, if the company has a policy on it.

If someone tried to tell me about a personal connection in an interview, I wouldn't be impressed at all. It would feel like they thought that could influence my decision.

no, don't mention it - however surprised she's not mentioned to them that her DD has applied.

I wouldn't mention it thinking that it would help you get the job. I think that could definitely backfire..

I wouldnt. I work for a large NHS trust and frequently sit on interview panel. Id be very if anyone did ths.

"Attempted nepotism isn't the best idea. It may irritate the interviewers too."
I absolutely agree with this. You could really shoot yourself in the foot by mentioning her. If I were an interviewer and a candidate mentioned their mother, I would be thinking along the lines of "WTF? Riding on your mother's coat-tails?" and would look on that candidate less favourably.

I wouldn't deliberately avoid mentioning it if it somehow comes up naturally, but I wouldn't spend the entire interview looking for a way to do a name drop either. That will make you come across badly.

I work in the public sector and there is always a question on the application form asking if you are related to any other membet of the organisation, wasn't this the case on your form?
I actually think if you don't mention it, there may be problems if you get the job and it comes out later.

Oh no, please, PLEASE don't mention your mum! It's not professional. Get the job on your own merits, not because they're mates with your mum.

definitely dont mention your mum til after you've been given the job.

also, dont you usually have to declare any relatives that already work in that company on teh application form?

I think the most diplomatic way to mention it is to do as ImtooHecsy suggested and give them a ring before hand with the intention of making sure there's no conflict of interest.

I've worked with family members before and the ones that have worked the best have been the ones that are open from the beginning. The stories I could tell you of people being 'outed' would get your nerves going - bearing in mind the way rumours build in any large organisation before it ever gets back to the ones being talked about.

Is you mother relavent to your experience and how you will do the job? These should be the only things discussed at an interview.

Good luck with the interview

I would mention it if I could drop it in easily - which shouldn't be difficult.

But if you're getting near the end and thinking "I haven't mentioned my Mum yet, I should do that soon..." then it's going to sound awkward so I would leave it.