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Original poster

Hoping to get an interview for a great job but I'm on maternity leave from current job

15 replies

reddaisy · 20/12/2011 01:19

Would I tell them at the interview? Would I tell them that in an ideal world I would want a delayed start date or cross that bridge if I got offered the position?

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jkklpu · 20/12/2011 08:58

Don't tell them but do practise your pitch on what your most up-to-date experience is so that you don't end up being thrown by a question. Think about whether you might say you took some time off to study or develop new skills. Don't lie.

AlwaysWild · 20/12/2011 09:03

I'd say cross that bridge when you come to it. Then it's harder for them to backtrack if they are one of the many companies that do discriminate. I agree you shouldn't out and out lie though but there's no reason it should come up. Start date negotiations happen after offer not before. Good luck!

DeeOfTheNorthPole · 20/12/2011 09:06

And if they do ask any questions in that area or that you're not sure how to answer just reply with a calm 'Is this something that you ask all candidates?'

Original poster
reddaisy · 20/12/2011 10:48

So would I just talk as if I was currently at work? DS is nearly three months old and I wanted to have a year off. Does anyone think there would be any chance that this (public sector) employer would consider waiting a while for me to start, say four months?! Or am I living in a dream world? I just want to think through the potential outcomes before I get my hopes up. It really would be a great opportunity for me.

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AlwaysWild · 20/12/2011 11:06

Personally I'd talk in a way that suggests neither. Why would they ask something time specific? They'd ask experience of x and you don't have to say this happened on x date.

And it totally isn't a dream world to think they will wait for you to finish mat leave. Particularly if public sector as ime they actually implement equal ops legislation. They should not discriminate against you for being on mat leave and this includes honouring your mat leave time imo.

People have 3 month notice periods as standard in many many jobs anyway.

I have known far odder mat leave things that have been upheld under equal ops which I'm not going into the specifics of on here.

Nothing is guaranteed of course, but you're not being unrealistic ime

keSnowBi · 20/12/2011 11:12

You are still employed by your current employer when on mat leave so using the present tense and saying 'i do (rather than I did) x, y and z' is accurate. But I would massively recommend NOT lying and saying you're on a sabbatical or similar. If they ask, be honest, otherwise cross that bridge towards the end of the process, ie if you think you're going to get the job.

Original poster
reddaisy · 20/12/2011 11:14

Thanks AlwaysWild, you have given me hope! I do have a senior role at the moment but my notice period is still only a month but I am thinking about putting that I have a three month notice period on the application form to definitely buy myself some time. I don't want to miss out on the chance of this job or some important months during DS's first year.

Would they not be pissed off if I just announced it if they offered me the job? And if they ask me directly when could I start at an interview how would I answer that without revealing my position/lying.

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keSnowBi · 20/12/2011 11:15

Either way, can't hurt to give it a shot. It's not like you're 3 months gone and looking go on mat leave, you're near the end of the process. You may have to negotiate when you start and find a happy medium.

Original poster
reddaisy · 20/12/2011 11:18

KeSnowBi, I would definitely negotiate if it came to that as I realise that they are advertising because they need someone in the post. As I'm only on SMP, I wouldn't miss out financially by cutting my ML short a bit but I don't want to be unrealistic either.

I have been keeping an eye out for a job like this for three years and this is the first time I have seen one advertised that I am completely qualified for so it is exciting but slightly bad timing! I won't be lying to them, I don't think that would start me off with a new employer very well even if it got me what I wanted.

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Original poster
reddaisy · 20/12/2011 11:20

From what I know of the public sector, it could take a while for them to get their paperwork etc in order for a start date to be organised anyway.

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AlwaysWild · 20/12/2011 12:06

I agree don't lie. But no I don't think they'd be pissed off. People have notice periods and this is just the same. If you're the best person for the job then a bit of extra waiting won't matter. Where I am at the moment we waited an age for notice period to be sorted for someone. It's higher up the food chain, so someone on about 80k I'd guess but it was seriously a couple of months just negotiating it, let alone them them actually working it.

I really think you need to just see it in the same way as a notice period anyone has. For the sake of full disclosure, I'm very much a femin ist, but I do think that women are made to feel guilty about stuff like mat leave as if it is exceptional. All employees come with different circumstances that are accommodated. And my experience of the public sector is that they are good at this.

When I'm on an actual computer I'll PM you an example if you like Grin

AlwaysWild · 20/12/2011 12:09

Paperwork is a good point. I just got a job and it did take them about a month to do the references and sort a start date for various reasons. Nothing dramatic just people not around to do stuff. And I recall my very first public sector job not being dissimilar. When I recruited to a post we lost the best candidate due to bureaucratic faffing

keSnowBi · 20/12/2011 13:29

I'm thinking with Christmas, multiple interviews, public-sector level paperwork and notice, you'll easily make it to 3-4 months!

voodoomunkee · 20/12/2011 13:39

Definitely don't lie!
I went for a job interview 2 weeks ago. A week after delivering dd2. I didn't say on my application i was going on mat leave. Only reason it came up is because I mentioned it in interview as I knew one of the interviewers. Didn't get the job but that's to do with technical expertise rather than my lack of ability or because I was on mat leave!
I am also on smp and really I don't see how just cos we are on mat leave that we wouldn't be considered to be currently employed and therefore able to apply for jobs. I might feel differently if I was on the sick but that's just personal feeling. Good luck!!

Original poster
reddaisy · 21/12/2011 00:48

A week after having a baby is impressive Voodoo! I am going to finish the rather lengthy application form tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed over Christmas. My private sector employer is notorious for not being helpful to employees in any shape or form which is one of the many reasons I would be glad to leave.
Any examples you can offer AlwaysWild would definitely be of interest! But after the evening I have just had with DS and his cluster feeding then I think they may figure out my secret if I get an interview Wink

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