Working Moms

Due Date Interview

I just got an interview for my dream job.  Location is 500 miles away, so I am starting with a "tier 1" phone interview.  If I do well, I would presumably advance to a tier 2 interview which would be in person.  Job is listed as starting immediately.  The employer understands that I would have to relocate, so it would not exactly be immediate. 

The catch is, the phone interview is on my due date (next Tuesday).  I did not mention anything about pregnancy when setting up the interview by phone.  HR has sent me an email requesting some additional documents before the interview.

I know that advice in most cases is to not mention pregnancy until you have a job offer, but I didn't know if it would be more awkward to not say anything in advance.  I was considering mentioning that I am pregnant in the email I send back with my documents, but I am not sure that would be appropriate either.  My concern with saying nothing is that if the interview goes well and the employer asks me in for a second interview, I would be saying "oh by the way I am literally 9 months pregnant" or "I just had a baby yesterday."  What would you advise?  Any other special considerations in interviewing at this point?

Re: Due Date Interview

  • I did an inperson interview at 40wks 1 day. I say jeep quiet, don't give then any ammunition to pass you up for tier two legal or not it will be a factor if you disclose.
    If you get to tier two, it would likely be at least a week, probably closer to 10 days before you knew then they have to give you time to coordinate travel and traveling at 2to3 weeks is doable... With assistance. Bring baby and a helper husband, mom, nanny whomever on the trip and you'll only need to be away from LO for the length of the interview! GL!
  • When are you planning to go back to work? 3 weeks? 3 months?

    Truthfully, I don't understand why you are interviewing for a position that starts immediately. I certainly wouldn't even assume that they understand you would need time to relocate. They might imagine that if you are interviewing, it means you are already en route or ready to move at the drop of a hat.

    If you are really serious about this position, I think you have to clarify these issues immediately.

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  • Keep quiet! Why o
  • Keep quiet! Why open a can of worms when the job isn't yours yet???
  • imageArielle27:
    When are you planning to go back to work? 3 weeks? 3 months? Truthfully, I don't understand why you are interviewing for a position that starts immediately. I certainly wouldn't even assume that they understand you would need time to relocate. They might imagine that if you are interviewing, it means you are already en route or ready to move at the drop of a hat. If you are really serious about this position, I think you have to clarify these issues immediately.

    To clarify, I had a phone interview with the same employer 2 months ago.  They had advertised a position that I thought was permanent, but was only actually a 6 month assignment.  At that interview I clarified that in order to move I was looking for a permanent position, and they said they completely understood and would keep me on file for a future opening.  Hence, they called me for this job. 

    The job is in a school, so "immediate" may have different implications.  In my current job I work 11 months (having July off) so if this job is the same, then starting potentially in August would give me 2 months off which is completely manageable.  Certainly in the interview I will be asking what the terms (10 month, 12 month) of the position are.

  • MKDeeMKDee member
    Normally, I would say not to say anything, but what are you going to do if you are in labor on your due date? And how immediately do you really plan to relocate with a new baby? My experience with most job interviews is that they can take a LONG time, so this really shouldn't be an issue for hiring you, but I think it's better to clarify now than to have to explain why you stood them up if you are physically unable to interview next week. I would say something like, "I wanted to let you know that I am expecting a baby any day, and our phone interview is scheduled for my due date. I am very interested in this position, and I expect to be able to meet your original interview and hiring schedule, but I did want to let you know." I know others may say not to say a word, but not to do so may seem almost dishonest at this point in your pregnancy. Others may disagree, I'm sure, but I think I would say something.
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  • shannmshannm member

    imageArielle27:
    When are you planning to go back to work? 3 weeks? 3 months? Truthfully, I don't understand why you are interviewing for a position that starts immediately. I certainly wouldn't even assume that they understand you would need time to relocate. They might imagine that if you are interviewing, it means you are already en route or ready to move at the drop of a hat. If you are really serious about this position, I think you have to clarify these issues immediately.

    I completely disagree.  I would interview, don't mention the baby.  If they give you an offer, then discuss it.  It can take months and months from the time you interview to the time that you start.  I wouldn't assume anything. 

  • I would ask some clarifying questions now of the HR person - that's arguably part of their job.  Clean up the perceptions of timing to move, start date, etc.  From what you have said, an August start and a move immediately before seem viable, but not ideal. 

    I would move forward with the interview as planned, and make sure the top item on your list when you go into labor if it is that day is to call to reschedule.  That happens, and has not in my experience been a big deal.

    See where it leads.  You never know.  I was hired full time three days before I had my second child, with full benefits and paid maternity leave for three months.  Miracles do happen.

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  • aeh72aeh72 member
    image2chatter:

    I would ask some clarifying questions now of the HR person - that's arguably part of their job.  Clean up the perceptions of timing to move, start date, etc.  From what you have said, an August start and a move immediately before seem viable, but not ideal. 

    I would definitely try to do this now because, honestly, I'm not sure how well you will come off if you try to hide it.  They may want someone to start right away and you simply cannot meet the start date and they don't owe holding the job for you simply because you've had a baby. They are obviously interested in you - they've called you back for a permanent position after you couldn't accept a temporary positon.  Now, if you suddenly can't meet the planned start date and they've invested their time and resources in inteviewing you for a job whose requirements you can't meet and you knew that upfront (assuming you do find out the timing of everything ) and you didn't tell them about it, that comes across bad in my eyes.  If you're upfront with them, tell them your situation, express how interested you are in the position, they may be more likely to make it work for you, or if this job does not work, still want to consider you in the future.  Think about what you do and how it may burn a bridge for future job if this one doesn't work out.

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  • I recently landed a job over the phone and didn't tell them I was pregnant until my first day.  My reasoning was, despite the law, why give them a reason not to hire me?  And, alternately, I didn't want to wait too long after being hired for fear of appearing sneaky.  I just said when I started that it was something I would rather discuss in person.  And I knew right then it was a non-issue for this particular employer.  And yes, you could have plenty of time.  I recently was offered a job in October and wasn't called to start until January.  If you go into labor and can't do the interview, call them as far in advance as possible and say that there is an emergency and you'd like to reschedule.  Good luck!
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