I work in marketing, following a career change from law. However, as I was so desperate to get out of law I accepted what appeared to be a good job opportunity to get my foot in the door for marketing. However, the sales/marketing role initially was more salesy and it took me 2.5 years to get the experience needed to leave (he was a horrible boss with high turnover and used to p**s suppliers off so much by talking down to them that some refused to work with him).
I then jumped at the first chance out of there - perhaps rather stupidly now. I should have negotiated a better payrise but saw it as a step in to learn off people. Everyone with experience left and it is disorganised chaos. I am expected to work ridiculous hours (sometimes 12 hour days) for 18k and am told agency work is not a 9 to 5 job. I have tried to stick it out but can't see the situation improving (although I am getting very good results for a new client, which could work out well but they are extremely demanding and I need to get to grips with engineering and nuclear power plants, etc, so lots of additional out of hours research.)
I had planned to leave and would prefer to go in-house. I know I could get around 25k and am really underpaid. However, we thought we would stop using contraception and "see". I had issues with my periods where I assumed it would take forever / I was infertile but I got pregnant immediately. I thought I couldn't keep putting family life on hold as I had hoped that by this time I would be settled in a good job with career prospects, so who's to say I won't keep waiting for things to improve. I'm nearly 32 and want 2 kids, and like I said, I thought I had issues.
Now I'm in a position where a job I was contacted about on LinkedIn before I found out wants me to meet them. It's a small agency but doing more interesting stuff and so I think I would have to be honest (informally, so as not to get them into trouble legally). I have applied for other roles in-house with bigger companies but waiting to hear back.
I can't possibly continue working under these conditions when pregnant and I've also got to think of the fact I could earn a lot more in the future, which would help my child. Equally, it is harsh on an employer.
What do people think I should do? Is it that bad to interview when pregnant? Going to get an early scan in a few weeks so I know if it's a viable pregnancy. I really want the baby obviously, but the reality of how much I have screwed up my potential in life along the way and having to explain to a child that mum was really bright at school but didn't amount to anything in life also gets me, so I want to change. Equally, I do have a business idea (which would use my marketing skills), so not sure if this is just a sign to work on that on maternity!