interviewing while VISIBLY pregnant...

AliciaMarie826

I lost my job a couple of weeks ago due to "budget cuts" and am freaking out about money! I applied to pretty much every job in my area that I've had experience in, and have had a couple interviews... But haven't received any offers. I know I'm qualified and that I'd be a great fit for these positions... But I can't help but thing that my protruding belly is making things impossible for me. Has anyone successfully gotten a new job while pregnant? How did you go about it? The first interview I went to, I completely ignored the fact that I was and didn't mention it to them... The second interview they looked down at my belly then up at me and asked if I would be expecting any time off in the future. Of course I had to say yes... But not until October! We only have so much in our savings account, and we were hoping to use that when baby comes and i need maternity leave!

Sballerina

I have absolutely no experience in this, but what you may want to do is apply to a temp agency so you could make a little bit of money while you're looking for something else. Since temp agencies offer temporary assignments maybe they will be more likely to hire you. Not a permanent solution by any means, but could help. My sister did temp work for about a year before she found her current job and it got her family through.

*Edited to fix typos

megewy

I believe that technically they can't discriminate against you if for being pregnant and aren't even supposed to ask. However this doesn't stop them from doing so. Hopefully someone will be able to see past your pregnancy which is a temporary thing and see your qualifications.

Best of luck!

Annie121

Im having the same issue, and i cant really hide my pregnancy. I haven't had any luck but like a PP said, try a temp agency, i use to love working with them because you always had something new and had time to look for the perfect job

leighann1

In line with temporary positions, you could check into substitute teaching. In my state, you are only required to have 60 college credit hours and most pay about $100/day. They also hire substitute secretaries and paraprofessionals. 

MamaOwl15

Do you have Kelly Services in your area? My sister got a job through them.

Also, what about Randstad? I worked with them a while back and while I wasn't pregnant, it was a situation of needing temporary work instead of something permanent I'd have to quit. You can always start our temping and use that to get something else later on.

megsie3102

I just got a job offer but my situation is a bit different. I'll be teaching online and I told them on the first phone interview that I'm pregnant. I wasn't sure if that would knock me out of the running since I'll be out of commission for a bit and then work with a baby at home but they didn't mind and offered me the job. Good luck!!

Luccie

I would be up front about being pregnant.  Also, be prepared to take a shorter than usual maternity leave and communicate this with the interviewers, so they don't think that you will be taking several months off soon after just starting a new job. Tell them your plan and emphasize that you are very committed to the position. Otherwise, look for something temporary.

cmjn94

What kind of employer asks if you're going to want time off when your baby is born?!

bucher1s

I was just in this stressful situation but it actually worked out for the best! 2 months later I found a job that was closer to home and paid more!! Good luck

kjacks6347

Thanks for posting this! I'm in the same situation and have two job interviews on Monday.

ashwise

I work in HR and here in the US it is illegal for a company to a) ask you if you're pregnant and b) to discriminate against you because you are. You are not obligated to tell them you're pregnant and if you don't feel comfortable telling them than dont. @AliciaMarie826 what do you do for work? And where are you located? I work as a recruiter for my company and I can see what jobs we have open in your area .

glerro

Im sorry you are going thru this. I went thru the same thing when i was pregnant with my daughter. I was 15-16 weeks pregnant abd looking for a job. I went to a few interviews that went really well even talked about my salary and thinking i was getting the job, i told them i was pregnant. I could hear the tires screech as the interview immediately stopped n they thanked me for coming and said they needed to interview other candiates before makibg their decision.
I went on another one and didnt disclose it during the 1st interview and i did at the 2nd interview. They owner asked me how much time would i need off etc. he did hire me and i had to sign a paper that i would only be out 6 weeks.
I worked for them for over 3 years before the owner retired and sold the business.
Moral of my story is there are some really good people out there and maybe the jobs where the discrimination is happening isnt meant for u. I would try to temp as others said n still look for a job.
My old boss still calls me to check on me and my children. I hope u can find someobe like that to work for.

fletcherj1

I am having the same exact problem. I went to a job interview but no luck. I live in Florida and the subs are certified teachers during the summer. I'm just glad I'm not a lone I was really getting down about this situation. I hope things change soon. I don't know how long my finances will last.

AliciaMarie826

@ashwise I am so sorry that it took me so long to see this. I am not notified if I have been tagged in a post on my cell phone, which is how I usually use thebump. I am an Administrative Assistant. I have worked as an Office Manager as well as a Personal Assistant and Receptionist in previous positions throughout my working life. I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I'd love any extra help that I can get! Thank you so much!

lirunyc09

@aliciamarie826 - I was in a similar (well not really) situation - when I interviewed for my job I was only 5-6 weeks pregnant and was hired and started working at 8 weeks and kept my pregnancy under wraps until week 16.  Now I'm just fearful of 1) being let go at 7 mos and 2) knowing I have to take a shorter than expected maternity leave.  I wish you good luck!  I would definitely try to go the temp or work as a freelancer for the time being. 

JAZsax

I'm in a similar situation. There were budget cuts at my school, and I had the lowest seniority being a first year teacher. Right now I'm working at a staffing agency for the summer (to save up for maternity leave, since I'm paid through the summer from my school). I am not applying for teaching positions for the fall, because that would be way too hectic for me and kind of unfair to the school since I'm due Oct. 1st. I am trying to save up enough to stay home until December, then I'll either sub or look for a position as a nursery school teacher. Good luck on the job hunt! Everything will work out just fine!

cbutler0045

@JAZsax I am in the same situation as you and got pink slipped at the end of the year due to budget cuts, being a first year teacher, and I think being pregnant also played a part. I have a dual certification in Elementary Ed and Special Ed and a few regular ed positions have come up at my old school. I was a special education teacher last year and have informed my old principal many times about my dual certification and she does not seem interested and has even asked what I plan to do daycare wise for the baby and has stated it is hard to get to school on time with a newborn. I have informed her that I have daycare lined out and I do not see it being an issue, but she still seems disinterested and it just feels so discouraging. I have taken up a few random jobs this summer to earn extra money such as babysitting and tutoring, and just applied for unemployment this week. I am also going to the WIC office tomorrow. I have never lived off the government, but at times it feels like this is what is best for me and my baby right now as we continue the job hunt. I have been applying for jobs, but haven't had any luck yet. :-/ Hopefully something will happen before school starts and I will find another teaching position. If not, I'm just going to try to survive off my savings until January and hopefully start subbing then and start the job hunt again for the 2016-2017 school year. Good luck ladies and keep your heads up!! I know everything will work out for us in the end!

AiramJ

Not sure where you are, but here in the UK it's illegal for your employer to sack you when pregnant. If it's genuinely down to staff cuts overall, the employee would get a lump sum.

spraklepea

Unfortunately people in the U.S. don't insist that workers get treated humanely, do no such laws for us.

star8627

@cbutler0045 it seeprinicipal the principal is dicriminatinv against you bc you are pregnant, which is illegal. Document everything and talk with your state labor board.

briraeh

I've been having a hard time getting another job as well. They aren't supposed to discriminate, but of course they do. I'm going nuts sitting at home with no job.