Interviews While Preggo

I would go ahead with the interview and like other posters said it is illegal for them to ask whether you are pregnant and they shouldn't be using that info to make their decision--its discrimination.

It seems like you are serious about going back to work after delivering. Its unfortunate there are women who are not self-reflective enough to examine themselves and their needs/desires after delivering enough to know whether they are going to stay home or go back to work. You don't seem that way so I wouldn't feel guilty about not coming out with that personal info early on. Good luck:)

Don't bring it up. You're not being sneaky by keeping it to yourself. Employers are not allowed to discriminate because of pregnancy, so they can't legally use it as a factor in deciding whether or not to hire you... however...telling them puts THEM in a horribly ackward position of trying to ignore information they have. They aren't allowed to think about it in the hiring process, so it isn't fair to make them know that.

Wait until the job has been offered and officially accepted. Actually, my advice is to wait until you're further along anyway. These aren't your friends, they don't need to be all up in your personal business anyway.

HTH
T.

i hid mine in a baggy shirt and told them after I was hired they cant fire you then. :)

I know everyone said don't tell...so here's a quick story.

I found a job when I was five months pregnant with my first that I was a great fit for and ABSOLUTELY qualified for. In the preinterview over the phone, I basically had the job with full time hours and benefits.

During the interview, I let it be known that I was pregnant and that I didn't plan for it to interfere with work...and then, all of a sudden, it was "Oh, well, it's just an on call position." Instead of the full-time, great paying job I thought I had.

I was so shocked that I flat out refused to take it, and you know what? I never did go back to work. Six years later, I am still at home and loving it, now with a second baby.

That being said, I STILL think you ought to tell...I think it's only fair to let an employer know because the reality is, it DOES affect your job...and I know they shouldn't discriminate, but a good employer WON'T discriminate. And if they DO, it's probably a job you don't want. Plus, a good employer will appreciate your honestly, and the same good employer will not like to be misled.

But, that's just my opinion. If you want to be guaranteed the job, don't tell...if you want the job to start out on the best foot, tell them with the risk of not getting a job (and then be happy knowing you wouldn't have liked people who discriminate, because you'll still have to face days at home with sick kids, etc.)

I would be honest with them. I interviewed for a job while pregnant and told the HR rep. I was about 4 months along - I had sent the company my resume 6 months earlier- I didn't think I'd ever hear from them. I also told them that what I really wanted was a part time job after the baby was born and that I wanted to meet with them anyway because I was very impressed with the company.

The HR rep was very thankful that I told her and with that information, we both decided that the current position was not right for me. She made a note on my application and resume when I would be available for hire. I was very surprised that I received a call 8 weeks after my baby was born. They had a part time position for me! I ended up working there part-time for 4 years.

Contrast that with a woman that was hired in my department (about 6 months after I started). She was pregnant and didn't tell them. I know that the company was very unhappy that she wasn't upfront with them. She ended up being fired a year or so later. Apparently, her dishonesty wasn't limited to lying about pregnancy.

I know you don't have to tell them you are expecting, but I feel like honesty is still the best policy.

Good luck!

I would go through the interview answering their questions, and then when they give you the floor--you ask them yours. Tell them you are expecting but that it will not be an issue until almost summer and that you expect to return to work immediately after. I have been on the other end of the interview process and HAVE hired women I knew were pregnant. Sometimes knowing they have a reason TO come to work (they have a family to support & need the income) helps with the decision making also.

Don't bring it up. If you don't get offered the job, you'll wonder forever if that's the reason. If you do get offered the job, you can figure out how to approach it then. Good luck!

Are you willing to work thru your 8th month? Are you willing to go back to work after delivery recovery? Let them know that. Will they believe you? Probably not.
ADDED
If you were the boss, would YOU hire a pregnant chick?

How far along are you? I interviewed and got a job was I was 6-8 weeks with my first son. I was able to hide the pregnancy till about 4 months or so. They were so supportive and very cool about it. I was planning on going back and did for about a week, but I just couldn't do it personally and I have been home with my son since. They were very cool about the whole thing and tried to work out a part time schedule with me, but it just didn't end up working. I felt really bad for screwing them, but had to do what was best for my family. If you think your going to go back and you get the job while preggers, go for it.

Technically, it is illegal to turn you down for a job because you are prego... the problem is proving that that is why you were turned down. I would say it depends on how far along you are. If you are still early, (first trimester) I would probably not mention it during the interview, but still give plenty of advanced notice after you are hired... If you are past that first trimester though, I would probably mention it toward the end of the interview. That way the interviewer will have a chance to form an opinion of you without thinking of you as 'the pregnant lady'. I'm not sure how you would want to bring it up though...

Though illegal-be prepared to be discriminated against when you tell them you are expecting.

I interviewed and got hired while pregnant. I was about 8 weeks pregnant at the interview and about 11 weeks when I started the job So it was a little earlier in my pregnancy than yours. But my scenario went like this:
- I went through phone screen and face-to-face interviews without telling the employer I was pregnant.
- I'd sent in my resume several months before we conceived, so it was just bad timing that they contacted me AFTER I was pregnant.
- I was not showing but had a history of miscarraige. Telling them or anyone at that point wasn't really in my best interest.
- Interview went great.
- When the HR recruiter called to say they wanted to make an offer and to get my verbal acceptance, I said something to the effect of "I'm thrilled and very interested; however, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to let you know that I've recently found out I'm expecting. I'm still in the first trimester and am high risk, so I would not normally be telling anyone, but I think it's important and fair to let you know."

....brief silence on the other end ...

- Then he went on to say "Technically that can't and won't impact our decision. We'd like to think it's a good fit for both the company and for you ... and that we're all making a long-term decision and investment in our futures with our long-term interests in mind."
- I was thrilled! The way he responded said a lot about the company.
- I made sure I stated very clearly that it was my plan to come back to work after whatever maternity leave I'd be entitled to.
- He ASKED if he could tell the hiring manager (we both thought it fair and appropriate).
- He confirmed that it would remain confidential otherwise.

I accepted the job and it worked out great. My mgt and I figured out how/when to tell my coworkers.

Throughout the transition, I looked for ways to demonstrate my ethical commitment to being honest with them as an employer. (For example, I asked if I could give 3 weeks notice instead of 2 to my previous employer - explaining the timing difficulties of job transition and a corporate acquisition. Doing so put me into the latest part of the calendar year such that I would not be eligible for a (tiny) raise during the corporate raise process barely 2 months later. Had I started one week earlier, I would've been able to get a raise! To this, I responded that since I'd be brand new, I wouldn't have had a chance to prove myself in 7 weeks anyway...and that I'd be leaving for a 12 week maternity leave during that year...so I was OK with no pay change.)

So -- my opinion is BE HONEST but let them be "wow"ed by you first. :-)
Then, be as quick as possible in finding the right time to tell them and look for opportunities to alleviate any lingering doubts or questions they may have. Your actions will speak for themselves.

Good luck!

I would tell them. Honesty speaks of character. Even though you are not obligated to tell them it does make you appear dishonest if you hide it. If you were one or two months I might not say anything but you will be putting them in an awkward position. I agree with the pp that said if it is a good place to work your pregnancy will not matter.

I did interview when I was pregnant and I was turned down the job because I was pregnant. The potential employers were straightforward with me, illegal or not. I was upset but understood that hiring me for a few months and then having to replace me was not ideal.

You do not have to volunteer the information about being pregnant, nor can they (legally) ask you. They cannot discriminate against you and not hire you just because you are pregnant. I had a very good friend who was hired when she was 8 months along in a pregnancy (so it was pretty obvious at that point) and everything worked out just fine for her. If it is a good fit, and a good company, your pregnancy should have no bearing on whether or not you get hired there.

Good luck!

Don't tell them!! They are not legally allowed to not hire you because you are pregnant, so why tell them? They can't judge you on it. If they hire you, then tell them you are expecting.