Interview while pregnant

hterry85

Hey ladies, I pop in here everyone once in awhile, but I have a few questions for you about a potential upcoming interview...

I've applied for an internal position at work, and they are planning to do interviews next week. Since they do the interviews during work time, they don't give more than a day or two notice, so I'd like to be prepared.

Currently I work from home full time....I already have my maternity leave scheduled with HR, and my supervisor also knows about my pregnancy, but since she is over about 40 telecommuters I honestly doubt she remembers off the top of her head. So while my pregnancy is no secret I doubt the recruiter/manager doing the interviewing (its within my dept) are even aware.

First, is this going to be the giant elephant in the room?? I know they can't technically hold it against me, but it sure isn't going to help me either. Any tips for how to address this? I don't feel like it's something I should just pretend isn't there, but maybe?

I'm also having a hard time deciding what to wear. I've only needed enough "nice" maternity clothes to get me through church once a week, so there isn't a lot to pick from. The office in general in really casual, basically as long as you don't wear your pjs to work you're good, but obviously an interview is way different. I have a knee length cotton dress, and knee length cotton skirt, and some dressier black capris that I wear with sandals and a nice top. Would any of these be ok?

Thanks for any help, and I'll take any other tips you might have!!

vigurl

No none of the choices sound ok for interview attire even for an internal role. 

I highly doubt your prenancy is going to be much of an issue for an internal role as it is for an external one.

 As far as attire where dark colored slacks and a flowing shirt and a jacket unbuttoned.  You should have all of those in your closet right?

Good luck.  I interviewed for 2 jobs while showing pregnant.  The first one passed on me, the second one hired me.  About 6 months later the first place called me back and asked me if I was still intersted.  I said yes and now I work for the first place.

hterry85

Thanks!

Since I posted this I thought about trying a bella band or something with my regular slacks...I've never owned one, but could probably find someone to borrow one from. I don't really want to spend the money on materninty dress pants to wear for an hour!

The opening is for a management position, so the potential issue would just be having someone cover everything while I was on maternity leave, which should start about a month after they plan to fill the position. But the person they're replacing has already moved into his new role, so those that reported to him are divided up between the other supervisors right now already.

vigurl

hterry85:

Thanks!

Since I posted this I thought about trying a bella band or something with my regular slacks

If they like you enough for the role they will make it work.  Trust me!

As for slacks try one with a hook in the waist and do this.....use a long shirt.  I never purchased a bella band

duchess0727

I interviewed at 6.5 months and wore the bella band with suit pants(cheaper version from Target - $20) with my suit jacket unbuttoned.  I would definitely wear a suit even if it doesn't fit right.  I would address it.  I would even go so far as to contact the recruiter/manager in advance and say 'Hey, just so it doesn't come as a shock since you haven't seen me in person but I'm X months pregnant.  I can address how my responsibilities would be covered on leave during my interview.  I just didn't want you to be caught off guard when you see me."  I think they will appreciate full disclosure.  I would address it in terms of your leave and how responsibilities could be covered because I think that would be their biggest concern.  As far along as you are, I would not even think about pretending it didn't exist but I would think as long as you are prepared to deal with covering your responsibilities while you are on leave or you think it's possible it could start after your leave, I wouldn't think it would be an issue.   

DelBride2012

Girl, the pants are not "to wear for an hour," they are to get you a job you want!

 If you don't have a suit jacket, you will probably be fine buying one in your pre-pregnancy size so it fits again after and just not buttoning it. Good luck! 

nikki_rob_weddingplans

DelBride2012:

Girl, the pants are not "to wear for an hour," they are to get you a job you want!

Exactly!  Agree 100% with previous posters, you MUST wear a suit.  I would say this for any position, but especially since it is for a management position.  I interviewed internally for a promotion to a manager position when I was 36 weeks pregnant (and I got the job! ).  I too had been getting by before without nice maternity pants or a suit, but since the position opened up and I was selected for an interview I knew I had to buy a suit.  I went to Destination Maternity.  Yes, I spent $300, but it was SO worth the future income/opportunity.  There is also something to be said about your confidence level...you will do better in the interview if you look more professional.  Also, if you plan to get pregnant again you may need it in the future if you GET the job!  

As for the elephant in the room issue, my advice is to bring up your pregnancy in your opening as a way of stating something about yourself but do not go into details about when/how you plan to take your ML or FMLA.  If they need more details about that, they can get with your current mgr.  Good luck to you!

BriLJL

I interviewed for my job at 38 weeks pregnant and went on maternity leave for 12 weeks two weeks later. Everyone was fine with it. I wore black maternity pants (which were very tight by that point) and a black suit jacket I bought separately. I had to buy it several sizes bigger than usual since it wasn't maternity but it did the trick. Hope everything works out!