Interviewer will be using "SAHM" status against me apparently, any tips?

[WideWebWitch]

Help! I've got a second interview tomorrow and apparently the man I'm seeing is likely to use the fact that I've been a SAHM against me and will try to negotiate me down on salary on this basis. I won't be having any of it but I wondered if anyone had any useful advice or tips on what to say/not to say? If he suggests I'm rusty I'm thinking along the lines of saying ?well, my area of expertise hasn't changed in that time (which is true) and the principles of xyz remain the same (they do)? and ?If I can placate a room full of 3 year olds then I can certainly deal with any challenging customer/supplier/staff behaviour. I've learned to be more patient and strategic in my thinking etc as a result at being home with a child? Is that pushing it? Should I do the Kate Reddy thing (she?s from the book ?I don?t know how she does it? of not mentioning children at all? Any other ways I can give myself an edge? Any other good answers to awkward questions? I'm up against 3 others, who haven?t been SAHMs as far as I know. TIA.

Good luck wwww!

I know Marina, I did think that, hence slightly sheepish posting! It won't be for a week (eek to covering up @ 16 weeks, very clever dressing called for!). I'll let you all know how it goes.

www - well done - and re clever dressing at 16 weeks pg - I had a 2nd interview for the job I'm in now when I was 6+ months pregnant and they didn't notice! (I told them at the end of the interview however...)
I wore long stretchy black dress, colourful long silk scarf (bump-hiding) and a pastel green jacket.... it was a very hot day/office however, and I was desparate to take the jacket off!
good luck...

Ooo, this thread's a roller coaster! Hope things work out, Ms W.W.Witch. Good luck with the final hurdle.

I know this is very boring now so I'm a bit sheepish about posting but here goes anyway...We sat down and worked out all the pros and cons of my taking this job if I were to get it and came to the conclusion that our move and a new job for me can wait until after this baby is born. So I cancelled the 3rd interview. It was a tough one: lying in the garden/on the beach, spending the rest of my pregnancy reading books and getting a tan vs moving house, school and county to start a mega stressful job in a month before stopping 10 minutes before I'm due to give birth and going back asap afterwards (since no smp would be due). So we'll carry on being poor until February next year when we'll consider relocating and my working etc all over again. Thanks for all your support.

WWW, glad you've made a decision that suits you. FWIW, I think you should feel good about getting the third interview and so obviously impressing the FD dispite having a "bad interview". Pretty good going I think, esp. considering you are out of the job market for about 5 years now.

Good on you www. I must say I did think you were a bit mad for going for a new city-type job now. But then its alright for me, I have the most flexible job in the world (plus I sometimes get to involve dd).

You probably needed all this though to give you real assurance that you're doing the right thing, IYSWIM. If you had just bumbled along without going for the interviews, you would now probably be a bit pissed off with yourself for not trying.

So don't slink off and well done!

WWW, no really, I'm not in the least jealous

Well done in making the right decision for you rather than drifting and waiting for the decision to be made for you.

www, no need for any slinking! your decision is entirely understandable. i'm sure it must be a weight off your mind.

Www well done it was a tough call and you obviously thought it through. We will look out for yu for jobs for dh and any property we can think of and keep in touch. Enjoy the summer it's so rare to have time.
hugs

Also agree, why slink when, if you can manage without the money for now, you can take it easy during this pregnancy. I would in your position! Glad you have reached a decision you are happy with, WWW - and well done for getting that far. I would most definitely not have the gumption to have gone through the recruitment process at all while pregnant...far too mush-brained.

you just enjoy that sunshine, www. I think you've made the right decision, too and you've managed to leave on a high note too - you've called a halt to things, not them.

I went for a job which left me with similar feelings earlier in the year. Long hours, good money, but not that compatible with family life. I was dreading getting the job and dreading being turned down because my experience matched their criteria so exactly. In the end neither happened. The company reviewed its budget and decided they couldn't afford to employ someone after all. Was I relieved!