To apply for this job while pregnant

[MeredithGrey1]

Sorry, posting for traffic and a wide range of views/experiences.
I’m currently in a job that to be honest, I hate and I’m counting down the days until I can go on maternity leave.
I’ve seen a job advertised online which I think I’d be perfect for, and from what I’ve seen (which is an extensive three page job description with duties, requirements etc) it’s as close to my perfect job as I could ever hope for. It’s also part time which I want and the salary would cover the childcare options we’ve looked at for when I go back to work.
But, I’m 22 weeks pregnant. The closing date for applications is when I’ll be 24 weeks pregnant and due to the role I think the process will be long. Plus I have a three month notice period at my current job so there’s no way I’d be starting before maternity leave.
I’m visibly pregnant so I’m not asking about the morals of whether to tell potential employers about a pregnancy etc. I’m really asking, is there any point in applying? I know legally they can’t not hire me because of the pregnancy, but only a naive person would believe that that means the pregnancy won’t have an impact. I’m worried that if I get an interview they’ll take one look at me (and my bump) and mentally cross me off there and then.

Will it just be a massive waste of my time?

If apply. The worst they can do is say no. Best case they'll love you and offer someone else a temp contract til you can start. If nothing else you'll get in their radar in case similar comes up in future. I'd just be really honest in the interview, address the elephant in the room and say that although you're pregnant it's an opportunity you couldn't afford to miss.

The worst they can do is say no

Yeah I know, it’s silly but I have this irrational worry about walking into an interview and just seeing eyebrows slightly raise as they see the bump. It’s ridiculous I know but I’m not the most confident in interviews anyway, and worry that they’d take one look and think “oh, what a waste of time this interview will be.” It’s my own insecurity more than anything.

When are you planning to return to work? I think you should apply but be upfront about when your start date would be. Some applications ask for this anyway. This would probably mean telling them at the application stage, maybe don't put it in writing but ring them up to explain the reason.

I wouldn't want to walk into an interview with a surprise huge bump either and I actually think it would create a better impression if you were honest at the application stage. 50/50 on whether it will affect their decision, some employers are good on this sort of thing, others not so, only way to find out is to apply.

@room32 good point, I hadn’t thought about them asking that in the application. I’ll have to think about when that would actually be - at my current job I’m planning on taking the absolute max amount of time off but that’s because I hate it so much and we’re lucky enough to be able to afford for me to do this. A part time job that I think I’d actually like I’d definitely be willing to start earlier.

I think you should do exactly what room32 suggests. Also, even if you feel it's unlikely that you will be the successful candidate this time, they may bear you in mind for future oppurtunities. And you may perform well in the interview if you feel the pressure is off slightly.
My immediate boss was hired whilst visibly heavily pregnant. She worked for six weeks then went on mat leave. They hired her and her cover from the same series of interviews.

...and her mat leave cover who got a year long contract was kept on in a slightly different role.

I interviewed at 8 months pregnant (promotion) and got it! Go for it!

My friend recently got a new job while visibly pregnant. She's working there for a few months before mat leave. She doesn't qualify for smp but can get the maternity allowance.

Don't tell them at application stage unless you are directly asked when you can start. If you tell them then either they will feel they have to offer an interview as you have told them and they don't want to be seen not to offer, or they won't offer and you'll always wonder if that was the reason. Some may argue though that not telling them before the interview means they'll be on the spot and will feel like they have to offer you the job. A man wouldn't worry about any of this though.

Give yourself some credit and a chance and apply. Make no mention of it until the end of your interview or if a convenient point comes up during the interview. You can say obviously I am pregnant and my plans are x, y and z. It's a chance to reassure them. You go on to say you wanted to apply because of x, y and z and didn't want to miss the opportunity.

What if you were planning adoption? Should you not have the chance to do a job you love. You could be their dream candidate and they might do anything to snap you up. Bear in mind that if you are 1st choice, it wouldn't take much to offer 2nd choice the role on a fixed term basis to cover your mat leave - win win.

Go for it. Like a PP said, the worst they can do is say no.
Them raising eyebrows at a bump isn't a bad thing and is definitely an irrational worry. I was 16 and applying for jobs and education courses with a big bump so I got very raised eyebrows.
You could always disclose your circumstances in a cover letter or something so there's no surprises for them or anything.

Apply. If your notice is theee months and the application process is long you may well be looking to return by the time a start date is possible anyway. You definitely won’t get it if you don’t apply