Job interview at 36w+4?

LATXwoman · August 2015

I applied at a great company in a field I really want to break into. I applied in late June! I was contacted in early August to take a test, and just heard back today to schedule an interview in a couple weeks. I will be super, duper preggo at that time, if not actively in labor

)

Currently, I am jobless due to being unexpectedly laid off in May. Our financial situation is OK, but I've realized through being unemployed and home all day every day that I really miss working with a team on tangible goals, not to mention pursuing a career and earning an income. Getting a foot in the door at this company could really work wonders, plus they have good benefits (including a childcare resource specialist to help with finding daycare, nanny, etc...) and are located about 10 min from where we live.

But, I just don't know if it would be incredibly weird to show up to an interview so pregnant? They can't ask about it, and I'm unsure whether to bring it up myself. If anything, I would go just to meet the hiring manager in hopes that she'd remember me if a position came available later. Best case scenario, their snail-like hiring pace would mean that my start date could be pushed back with little heartburn for them (also, my husband has already filed for 6 weeks paternity leave at his company). But I also don't want to be remembered as that pregnant woman who created a very awkward situation.

The interview request said specifically in-person. But maybe I could ask for a phone interview? Any advice would be so appreciated!

jsliko · August 2015

I would say go for it! Be prepared to answer the question "when can you start?" with a good reason that doesn't involve you saying your pregnant. If you need to cancel and reschedule, well, it happens, but I bet it will be easier to interview before baby, not after (FTM opinion!)

Also, do the in-person interview, not phone. You would be at a disadvantage if you were the only phone interviewee on the list.

wildbutterfli2001 · August 2015

Just go,be honest and let them know you would be able to start... if you are the right fit you will get it. I feel like requesting a phone interview is a bit deceitful

jenspeake · August 2015

I would go and when they ask when you could start let them know the date you want to return to work. I wouldn't let the opportunity pass up and I'll about being up front and honest. They'll know your pregnant but let them know how much you like their company and didn't want to miss an opportunity. And if now isn't the best time then hopefully they'll like you and respect your honesty and think of you when the next position opens up when your available for work! I wouldn't do the phone interview request because they might do that and still want you to come in anyway so wants the point!

koriemo · August 2015

I agree- just indicate that the date you're available to start is December 10 or whatever you are comfortable with. If you have the opportunity to call them beforehand to communicate your start date, I would. However, at the rate they are going, you will likely be fine.

Leabyrd · September 2015

I would suggest telling them before you go in for the interview. That way you feel more comfortable and they won't feel distracted from all the thoughts that will probably go through their mind when they first meet you. They have already asked you in for the interview if they cancel after the fact of telling them, that can be discrimination. As long as your transparent as possible showing them that you can fully function at x weeks pregnant it proves pregnancy and motherhood will not affect your work ethic or attitude. Go girl!!!!!

jsliko · September 2015

Maybe my field is different (I work in academia in the US), but it is illegal to ask if a job applicant is pregnant. Likewise, if a job applicant reveals that they are pregnant, it puts the interviewer in a very awkward position because having kids is not supposed to influence the decision on whether to hire ir not.
OP, I suggest looking up labor laws as they relate to you, but if I were interviewing you and I suspected you were pregnant, I would probably just ask you something like "I'd hired, we would like you to start by Nov. 1. Would this work for you?". And then you could respond with "For personal reasons, the earliest I could start is Dec. 10.". Then you can convey the info you need without them being influenced by your parents status...
Good luck!

NicoleAndDerrick · September 2015

Get it girl! I went on an interview too at 33 weeks on Friday. I wore a loose top and waited until the end of the interview to tell them I'm pregnant. I wanted them to only consider me for me from the start and then obviously be honest at the end. I'm waiting to hear back as he said it would take him a couple weeks to return from a trip but I'm hopeful! Good luck to you and I really hope you get the position! Keep us posted.

LATXwoman · September 2015

Thanks and good luck @NicoleAndDerrick keep us posted too!

LATXwoman · September 2015

Here's an update. I went to the interview. The hardest thing was finding something appropriate to wear! The interview went well, and the woman who was conducting it DID reference the pregnancy as we were both talking about our line of work and wanting to settle down (the field we both come from generally requires a lot of moving for jobs, and the industry in which I'm applying is much more stable). She said "I imagine you'd want to be settling down, do you mind if I ask when the due date is?" So, I told her, and she said, "that's no problem, we can be flexible" and related a story about how she recently hired another woman right before she had her baby and they pushed her start date back.

So, anyway, no clue if I'll be proceeding in the interview process yet, but I felt like her attitude toward pregnancy was not as negative as I feared. Thanks for your advice and I hope that everyone who finds themselves in a similar situation can relax a bit and know that it's not an automatic disqualification.

MrsFaust1432 · September 2015

Glad you went and that it went well! Hope you get a call back soon! In the mean time, try not to think about it and just focus on getting ready for baby.

BlueTopazBride · September 2015

So glad it went well. Fingers crossed for you.

dparker721 · September 2015

I'm glad it went well for you! I'm currently job hunting but am so discouraged about the timing of it all...just goes to show there is hope!

pkfinnerty · September 2015

I recently hired a girl who once hired on, seemed laxadazy and uninterested so I figured it wasn't going to work out.
Well she left Wednesday for lunch and hasn't come back since. Haha! I called to see if she was okay with no response. She sent me an email this weekend thanking me for the opportunity, but telling me she recently found out she was pregnant and didn't think she could do the job pregnant...
Just to reiterate, she told her 9 month pregnant boss, she was too pregnant to work.
My point is, had she come to talk to me, I would have been more than open to working with her. And she interviewed really well. Had she told me in the interview she was pregnant, it wouldn't have changed the way I felt about her. She seemed so forthcoming and outspoken (in a good way). I'm surprised of the turn of events.

Good for you for not making it awkward and going for the job you want!! I wish you the best!

And for others job hunting, honestly is the best policy. I don't want the wrong candidate now. I want the right candidate when it's the right time for both of us! I would be happy if someone told me early on that they're pregnant, but still really interested in the company. I would think that person is a go-getter and would admire that quality!

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