Interview outfit for pregnancy

[Pregnantandscrewed]

I am 11 weeks pregnant with my second child and have found myself in a bit of an unfortunate position with my current employer. I won’t go into the details of that as just want to move on and find a new job asap so I can put it behind me and finally start enjoying my pregnancy. I’ve applied for a few jobs and registered for some recruitment agencies who are sounding like they may have suitable positions for me soon. I feel like I need to be prepared as I could get an interview with very short notice.

I have no idea what people are wearing for interviews these days as it’s been a long time since my last interview but I need it to be pregnancy friendly and I’m on a tight budget so the cheaper the better. I’m usually a size 8-10 but have put on a lot of weight already with this pregnancy. 5ft 5 and I’m 36 years old. I have already got a bit of a mini bump belly bulge thing going on!

Could you wise S&B people send me links to clothes, shoes and bags please? I would prefer to order from the following shops: Next, M&S, ASOS, New look, River island. These are on my high street and returns will be quicker and easier for me.

TIA x

Go for WFH jobs and do the interviews on zoom.

Jobs are very few and far between where I live. There are lots of plumbing, tradesman and agricultural roles but this isn’t my skill set. If I only apply for remote working roles well I won’t be applying for any jobs at all really. Most remote working roles still need you to be living in a particular region in my experience, my current role included. I just want out fast as they have made me mentally ill!

Maybe. I work remotely and in the past 6 months I've been in the office once. I'm in a team of 4, and only 2 of us are in the UK, within commuting distance from London but not near each other. Between the 4 of us we're in 3 continents. We work mainly with people in mainland Europe. That doesn't help you though.

What sort of work do you do? Are there many potential employers within commuting distance?

Do you plan on a long maternity leave? Will you definitely return to work?

What would you wear for an interview normally?

I’m in housing but applying for all admin office type positions. As I said, can’t be picky if I want out fast! There are some employers near by but not loads hence me trying to be open minded.

After you mentioned remote working I have just had a Quick Look and most of the ‘remote’ roles say they require one day in office in London or somewhere. And most of the truly remote roles either sound like a dodgy scam or don’t tell you what the salary is. I mean I know I’m desperate but I need to know what I’m getting into.

I would love a long maternity leave but not sure I will be able to afford it this time. It all depends on a lot of stuff which is uncertain right now. Just need to get a job first and work all that stuff out later. Yes, I definitely have to have a job after maternity leave.

I guess I would usually wear black trousers, top with a blazer. Black shoes and bag. But looking online for these things is quite overwhelming, particularly if it’s got to be pregnancy friendly. I am feeling very anxious and stressed atm so maybe my headspace isn’t right for looking at clothes 😞

Was hoping some eager mum setters that love online shopping would do the work for me 😂

I would go for a wrap dress

I found peplum tops really helpful in early pregnancy as they skim over the bump, but are not 'maternity wear'. How about something like this with smart trousers and blazer....

They look great. I’ll take a look at Next and search for peplum tops. Thanks

My job was advertised as 2 days in the office, if that helps. Only the sales people wear suits, but a smart jacket does look a bit more polished for an interview. Maybe a wrap or open jacket would be more bump-friendly.

There is an online retailer that does bump-friendly clothes that are wearable long beyond pregnancy but I'm hoping someone else can remind me of the name.

Otherwise, try the maternity ranges on your favourite sites, Next etc. Of you are on a budget, try Tu.

Something like this would accommodate a growing bump. JD WILLIAMS Collarless Placket Detail Smock Dress 14
Buy Black Relaxed Blazer Jacket 10 | Blazers | Tu

I’m not sure if a wrap dress would show off my bump rather than hide it. I also don’t know if a blazer would go with a wrap dress. I feel like blazer is going to help keep the bump hidden

Thanks. You’ve reminded me that I’ve already got a similar blazer I can wear.

I have been looking at the maternity stuff on various websites and tbh I’m finding it all pretty overwhelming. Was hoping people could post some links to stuff they’ve seen or perhaps things they have bought themselves.

Also, I can’t really take the risk and apply for jobs that say 1 or two days in the office if it’s not commutable distance for me. It may have worked out well for your role but I can’t simply ignore information that is in the job advert in hope that they don’t really mean it. I could find myself in another precarious employment situation, and I’m already trying to get out of one right now unfortunately.

I've been in a job I detested and that wasn't good for me so I can see your plight.

I had interviews in the same situation. I wore wide leg trousers with elasticated waist under my “bump” (bloating/tenderness) with an oversized shirt layered with a sweater vest (or jumper would work).

It was smart enough for business casual and comfortable (I got the job)

Sorry I didn't realise you are looking to hide the bump.

Well don’t particularly want to advertise that I’m pregnant as I know employers aren’t supposed to discriminate but I feel all employers do to some extent. I will tell my employer I’m pregnant when I start a job to make sure I’m not discriminated against at the interview stage.

How did it go @Pregnantandscrewed ?

Did you get the job? What did you wear in the end?

Interview is this Thursday. I’m so nervous and finding it hard to prep between the pregnancy nausea and thumping head while looking after a toddler. I absolutely do need and want this job though and I know I’ll be good at it if I can only persuade them I’m good enough.

I have bought myself a whole new outfit from next so I’m hoping that will give me some confidence that I at least look the part. I bought some stretchy black trousers, a black and white sort of marble effect smart top and a fitted black suit jacket that I will leave open. I also bought some dressy sort of western style boots that have a chunky heel so will look nice with the wide cut trousers. Spent a bloody fortune but hopefully I’ll get to wear it all again.

I met with friends at the weekend and I was wearing a dress that I thought made me look very obviously pregnant but my friends said it wasn’t at all obvious, so it seems like one of those things that only I will notice until a further along!