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!!

Good luck! I think you will need to spell it out loud and clear that your return date is march THIS year, and id also slip in to conversation how lucky you are to have already arranged childcare and your husband assuming the role of daytime primary care-giver.

It is indeed extremely insulting to be told you'll be useless after 8 weeks, even in the uk sitting on your GFA for a year eating hobnobs is a relatively new concept.

Morien, fingers crossed for you too! I guess of you have done the best interview you possibly can and it's meant to be, that it won't pass you by. Maybe we are both overthinking things....!

Dizhin79, there's no harm in asking [big grin] as you just never know! I know I can give a good interview and come across well so fingers crossed my waters don't break as in
Sitting down on the interview chair haha!

Dolomitesdonkey - I think I will have to reheard a script to make sure I cover the bits I want to get in. It does really big me that people assume that the woman carries the burden of childcare etc. I know it still the case in most households but not all. I am very keen to still keep working and hate the thoughts of being at home... But hubby loves the idea of taking more responsibility at home! I know I'm very lucky that dh is so supportive.

I would definitely tell them your intentions. They cannot ask, but if you explain your intentions and the employers are reassured that you do not plan to take a whole year off, they will be more likely to hire you. I know this isn't legally justifiable, but it is the reality, as they will be weighing up everything - at the end of the day, they need a job done, but the right candidate is also worth waiting for.
A while ago, I was listening to a really interesting debate on the radio where they were interviewing various company directors etc about employing women of a childbearing age, and they all said that prospective employees should volunteer information at interview that proves they are career minded and have taken steps to minimise any disruption to their work life. For example, a employee who volunteers that they have already finished their family and have a robust childcare set up are more likely to get a job than a candidate of equal merit who does not volunteer anything and is of an age where they may want to start a family. Especially with a smaller business as maternity leave can be crippling for them. They also had anonymous callers who said they would never hire a woman of a certain age for that reason. Obviously such people are at risk of being taken to a tribunal, but I guess it may not be easy to prove discrimination if they have other strong candidates.

I think I would feel much more comfortable being completely upfront with them to be honest. At least if I lay my cards out on the table it allows them to make an informed decision based on my capabilities and availability and doesn't leave much room for unanswered questions or "what ifs".

The company is a global household name so I'm hoping they will be well informed and open minded. I appreciate that with smaller organisations, mat leave etc can have a devastating effect. I currently work for only a small organisation.

Thanks Babsie! I think you might be right about the over-thinking...

As for going back to work, I'm not covered by local legislation in the (EU) country I live in (am covered by my non-local employer's more generous terms), but if I were, depending on how much ML I'd taken pre-birth, I'd be off back to work at maybe 10, 12 weeks (definitely by 15 as that's the whole allowance) and nobody would bat an eyelid.

I have lots of American friends who go back between 8 - 12 weeks because that's the norm over there. I think we tend to acclimatise to our own arrangements, really. Your baby just needs a loving and engaged carer, and your H sounds fab. What a nice set-up!

Can you ask for an interview a week later on logistics grounds - say you have a minor medical procedure or something? I do think turning up pregnant may be problematic, even leaving aside the problem of not actually being able to turn up at all because you're in labour or had the baby the day before.

If you have 8 weeks you can try to breastfeed for two, maybe - no harm giving it a go and seeing what happens? That's when the initial immune system benefits are given, including antibodies but also friendly intestinal flora to protect the gut. It's so early it absolutely doesn't commit you to anything, and you can always think "sod this for a game of soldiers" if it isn't for you. Nothing lost either way.

Good luck with the interview!

I don't think there would be any harm in me requesting an interview at a later date. It actually sounds like either they have had some candidates pull out or that they didn't have enough in the first place to commit to today's interview slot. Either way I think both go in my favour!

Your suggestion re breast feeding sounds good. I'm prepared to give it a go as I know it's best for baby, but I'm
Not sure how comfy I am with it. If I do breast feed, it would only be for the first week or so as it just wouldn't be practical doing it once I'm back to work. Sadly I can't whip my
Boobs off to leave with my hubby (as much as he would
Love that!!)

Still waiting on new date being confirmed for the interview. Although today's developments have seen me admitted to hospital with preeclampsia - they are going to induce me tomorrow.

Turns out I won't have to worry about being pregnant for my interview after all and I get to meet my daughter this weekend!!!

Good luck OP!

Thanks!!!

Good luck with your induction tomorrow op.

Oh, sorry to hear about the pre-eclampsia, but how lovely about the imminent birth! Come back and update us?

And problem solved, yay!

Good luck with the Birth of your daughter...Have a good rest in hsop before Little one arrives