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Original poster

Dressing to hide an early pregnancy for an interview

49 replies

webminx · 01/01/2013 14:25

Happy new year!
After months of looking (made redundant from previous role early in 2012), I finally have been shortlisted for a role I really want. Interview is next Tuesday. Really excited, hopeful and motivated. Is for a part time role for 2 years. Only downside is, I'm 17 week pregnant and am terrified I won't get a fair shot at interview if they realize. It's a large multinational company, I know I'm really qualified and appropriately experienced for the role and I've been preparing all week since I heard for the interview.

Can anyone help me by suggesting what I could wear for the interview to help disguise my "condition". Is not too obvious, but my tummy does look pretty round! I'm very happy to buy something. Am thinking suit trousers and a professional but skimming top (any suggestions welcome) or a wrap dress with thick tights and boots. Please help if you have ever been in this situation or have any suggestions for what to wear!

OP posts:

MadameCastafiore · 01/01/2013 14:39

Are you allowed to conceal something like this from a prospective employer?

I mean it shouldn't matter but to me would make me question your honesty if you hid it.

BadDog · 01/01/2013 14:39

i think you sound deceitful

BadDog · 01/01/2013 14:40

If you got the job you'd be sod all use to them wouldnt you?

LittlePandaBear · 01/01/2013 14:45

How about something like this from Next? I've just got it in cream and there would be plenty of room for a baby belly or a big lunch for me in it, the print one may disguise your bump.

Good luck, whatever you wear!

LittlePandaBear · 01/01/2013 14:47

I think you're entitled to apply for a job while 17 weeks pregnant, you're still capable of working for a while yet. I agree you'll have to tell them if they offered you the job, but you need a fair chance first.

hatgirl · 01/01/2013 14:47

I understand where baddog and MadameCastafiore are coming from but the sad truth is that it is highly likely that if the OP is 'upfront' front about her pregnancy she is very unlikely to get the job. She is almost half way through a pregnancy and will be leaving them pretty much as soon as she starts. She wants to be given a fair shot at the job regardless of whether she is pregnant or not.

I have a job hunting friend who has a eastern european sounding surname by marriage. She has reverted back to to her 'English' maiden name for job hunting as she finds she is having more success getting interviews that way. People rightly or wrongly make judgments about people unrelated to their actual skills/ ability to do a job.

Emo76 · 01/01/2013 14:49

How do you think they are going to feel if they give you the (two year) role and then need to arrange maternity cover for you within a matter of months? Do you think it will reflect well on you? Have you considered how and when you are going to inform them you are pregnant? How might your colleagues react to the surprise news?

Honestly I think your best strategy would be to be completely honest and open with them about being pregnant, commit to returning to work within a certain timeframe IF they offered you the role, I just think being honest can ONLY reflect well on you and your future prospects - if they don't offer you the role (which is indeed likely if they know you are pregnant, particularly given the medium term nature of the contract) keep in touch with the people who interview you, show them how keen you are, they will remember your honesty and may think of you for roles once your baby has arrived and you are ready to return to work.

Good luck - I know the timing is frustrating but do consider honesty as the best policy.

BackforGood · 01/01/2013 15:10

I'm inclined to agree with others, particularly as this is a short term contract. I would suggest you work out how they would get 'value for money' out of you, or a plan of how you can get the job done for them, and be honest.
11 yrs ago, I went for a job interview 5 months pregnant (can't believe they didn't notice - must have just thought I was a weighty sort ), but I told them at the interview, and said that I wanted to be honest with them before they made any decisions, and it was a permanent job, and just meant I would start in the January rather than the September, and that I hoped they could look at the next 5 - 10 years, and work a way around the missing 3 months, rather than dismissing me, for the sake of me not being able to start for those first 12 weeks they had hoped. Thing is, I think that was feasible, but a 2 yr temp contract with modern day maternity leave taken out of it, doesn't seem realistic to me, unless you can demonstrate to them, otherwise.

VerySmallSqueak · 01/01/2013 15:17

You do not need to tell them you are pregnant.It's not deceitful and does not reflect badly on you.You are quite right to go for a job for which you feel you are qualified and pregnancy does not alter that one iota.

I think it's important to skim the bump and sit straight. I reckon at 17 weeks a well cut jacket should work - perhaps over a dress? I'm not so good at the style advice - but please do not be deterred from going for the job,despite what others may say.

Good luck with both the interview and the pregnancy OP.

prettywhiteguitar · 01/01/2013 15:19

Well that's very commendable but not very realistic , op has already decided to go for the job, not much point if she's going to tell them she's pregnant !

I would wear a loose jumper and make sure you are prepared, ask people if you look pregnant.

Btw other posters if the op takes 6 months maternity leave they are still getting a year and a half plus she may be the best person for the job !

Pinkflipflop · 01/01/2013 15:21

A large scarf?

deXavia · 01/01/2013 15:26

Of course you are entitled to go for a job when pregnant but I can assure you that as someone who hires people regularly if you didn't mention it by second interview (ie when we knew your qualifications and had met you, and knew you'd fit) then I would be royally pissed off. And right or wrong it would influence how I treated your return to work and any contract renewal.
And for the record I was hired into a new and promoted role at 5 months so it is absolutely possible to get a job based on skill regardless of personal circumstances.
IMO the least of your concerns should be what top you are going to wear ...

BabysPointlessPocket · 01/01/2013 15:27

Well, I'm going to raise that old argument if you were a man whose wife was 17 wks pregnant argument. A man can also share paternal/maternal leave with his OH. Could this be an option for you op? It's awful (and I think unlawful) not to be offered a job, due to pregnancy.
As for the interview, dress in whatever you're comfortable in, be honest and good luck.

TidyDancer · 01/01/2013 15:28

If this was for a permanent job, I wouldn't think twice, but I'm surprised at the idea of doing this for a fixed term contract.

If you are set on going for the job though, a dark colour underneath a slightly lighter jacket set up would work. A large piece of jewellery may also work as a distraction.

Earlybird · 01/01/2013 15:34

No matter what your qualifications, you are contemplating concealing the truth. Your OP asking how to hide your pregnancy shows you are looking into how you might deceive the interviewer. It would be a lie by omission.

As a prospective employer, I would be most concerned that your are/were not honest and could not be trusted.

Gintonic · 01/01/2013 15:37

I think some posters are being quite mean. The OP was made redundant, that's not her fault, why shouldn't she look for a job to help provide for her baby? The company will not have to give her maternity pay, but it will mean she has a job to go back to.

I did an interview while pregnant, I wore a stretchy pencil skirt, a smart top and a sort of thin cotton jacket which I got in the maternity section of h and m.

I think if the people dont know you they are less likely to notice, though obviously depends how much you are showing.

Good luck.

VerySmallSqueak · 01/01/2013 15:38

Every time I've been for an interview I conceal the truth though Earlybird.

I never tell them that sometimes in the Winter I'm too lazy to shave my armpits,or I swear bad enough to send sailors running out of a bar when I'm pissed.

I thought the idea was to tell 'em what they want to hear

kaz1119 · 01/01/2013 15:40

cannot quite believe some of the responses you got, OP

i am rubbish when it comes to styling advice but wanted to say good luck!

DrRanj · 01/01/2013 15:43

Oh ffs I hate it when people get all concerned for the employer. The op has been unemployed and is doing her best to get a job. The government regard pg as not being a good enough reason not to work so op would be on jobseekers for her pg so would be expected to go to interviews.

You don't need to tell an existing employer you are pg til you are 20 something weeks, a new employer is no different. If she went in with her bump on display she wouldn't get the job, because of prejudice. She is doing the sensible thing.

I found myself looking for a job when I was visibly pg. I got one, but it was only temporary, so could only get minimal maternity allowance after the birth. If I hadn't have found work I'd have got nothing at all.

In answer to your question, I would just wear clothes that are as non-maternity as possible, no billowy tops! How about a stretchy jersey pencil skirt, with a fitted but not tight smart jumper? Or a smart t shirt with a waterfall cardi? Hate them usually but would be good for bump hiding.

rhondajean · 01/01/2013 15:45

Op I have done this, and got the job. I wore a long suit jacket and left it open with a skimming top underneath.

Good luck and ignore the twaddle.

Boggler · 01/01/2013 15:45

I'm pretty sure that if you're already employed you have to inform your employer by week 20 of your pregnancy when you get your matb1. Therefore I feel that going for an interview at nearly 20 wks and not sating anything is pretty unfair. If you get the job you could go on maternity leave within a couple of weeks, although you probably won't be entitled to statutory maternity pay maybe maternity allowance. I'd be really peed off tbh to find that someone I thought was coming to work will be going off in a few weeks possibly for a year of a 2 year contract. Put yourself in the employers shoes how would you react to the news? I wouldn't hunk you'd have any sort of future after the contact expires.

Earlybird · 01/01/2013 15:47

Verysmallsqueak - no idea what sort of jobs you have applied for in the past (), but doubt shaving your armpits (or not) has any bearing on your ability to perform the job, and when you are available to do it.

The OP is aware that revealing her pregnancy could be a factor - and she is seeking advice on how to actively conceal the truth.

Just curious - if the OP doesn't reveal the pregnancy, is the interviewer allowed by law to ask about it (if they notice)?

VerySmallSqueak · 01/01/2013 15:58

I'm desperately trying to find a witty retort Earlybird involving some far fetched scenario with straggly armpit hair and time off work,but I am stumped .

But you see what I mean,I'm sure? We tell the stuff that'd get us the job and skim the rest.
It quite simply the case that if there is no legal requirement to divulge the information then it's up to the individual interviewee whether they do or don't.And I fully support any woman who chooses not to tell them that she sometimes doesn't shave her armpits in the Winter news of a pregnancy which is personal at that time.

5madthings · 01/01/2013 16:13

Yoi dont have to.tell an employer until 15wks before due date, so 25wks preg.

The op is perfectly entitled to.not say she is preg.

dexavia if as you just admitted concealing a preg at interview would piss you off and that would then affect how you treated that employee then you would be acting illegally and thaf would be discrimination.

Op smart fitted trousers or skirt with a top that skimming and a smart jacket and nice jewlery to draw attention to you rather than your bump?

5madthings · 01/01/2013 16:14

And i dont think they are allowed to ask about pregnancy ir children/dependents etc?

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