Seeking Advice on Job Search While Pregnant

HI, I was 4 1/2 months pregnant while job hunting. You definately don't want to mention it becasue there are always plenty of reasons for not being hired. I remember my husband advising me "go for the fat look". I did get hired and told them within the first week that I was expecting. It all worked out in the end. Good luck.

I am 7 months pregnant and in the same boat. at this point for me i wouldn't be able to hide my bump and i wouldnt feel comfortable not disclosing. what i decided to do was write a very compelling cover letter about the situation i was in.

examle: The unique part of my story is that I am expecting a child in a few months. I am extremely ethical and this is why I am being so candid. I am aware that I do not have to disclose this information but feel that honesty is the best policy. The worst that can happen is I do not get a job while pregnant. The best scenario would be that someone makes an exception to the rule and really examines my qualifications then determines if I would be an asset to their organization.............. I hope you can keep an open mind regarding my situation. If the odds are against me… please hold my resume and revisit in June 2008."

i know i am way farther alone then you -- but i sent out 3 resumes and already have 1 interview set up.

everyone told me you will never get a job pregnant! i want to to be the exception to the rule.

if the comp doesn't hire you -- 1) it's their lose 2) maybe that's not the type of company that would work for you in the long run i.e. having flexibility when baby is sick etc.

best of luck to you!

I am a corporate recruiter. I have seen candidates come in and interview and hide their pregnancies; the company finds out afterwards. It is much better to be upfront. When the company finds out afterwards and learns that you have not been straight forward, it does not make you look good in your position. It does not start your employment out on the right foot.

I am also a Mommy. It is hard to start a new job/career and then leave soon afterwards to take care of the baby. Then when you come back from leave, you need to learn a lot of the job over again. Depending on your situation, and your money/benefit needs, it may be better to wait.
Another suggestion I have for you would be to work through a temp agency (some provide benefits).

Do not write a note,

this is futile, and frankly far too personal

if you are asked directly if you are pregnant say yes,

they ill ask if you plan to return after the delivery and you say YES, after 6 weeks I need to work.

you do not entertain the idea that you even have the option of FMLA or any other such option

your plan can change at anytime you wish,

your interview should go as any normal interview,

dress professionally, and look good,

and schedule any interview which calls, go on a few just to get the feel for it again,and make your self feel more comfortable with the idea,

DO NOT emphasize the bump, try and be discrete about it,
althou that should not be a reason for NOT hiring, let be real, it will be, as they will anticipate your needing to take time off from the job, and perhaps missing days due to appointments, and sickness, ect...

ANY person , JOB would do this,

If i were you i would wear a skirt with a jacket and nice silky blouse, panty hose and pumps

wear a nice necklace and earings, to draw attention upwards,

don't lovingly touch your belly, even after you may have disclosed your pregnant.

remember these are strangers, in a professional enviornment.
they don't give brownie points for nurturing, they want a lean mean paper pushing machine.

who has no medical restriction and feels energized

So remember YOUR being pregnant has no place in the work force,its not a topic of discussion, be all business,
and research the company before hand as a way to be knowledgeable, and impress the interviewer.

this always helps

Good luck and congrats.

M

S. - had the same situation twice. Both times I was right around the same weeks you are. What worked for me was to put my best foot forward for the initial interview, especially noting my dedication to any company/position, my desire for permanance in a job and my willingness to support my boss in whatever way possible. Even though I was up against several good candidates I was offered both of the jobs that I wanted. During the second interview/follow up phone call where I felt sure the job was to be offered I told both employers that I recently found out that I was pregnant and that I wanted to be upfront and honest and didn't want to cause any problems for them in the future. I reassured them that even though I would be out for 6 weeks I would return. I think both employers appreciated the honesty and quickly made me feel welcome as part of the team. I have been with the second job for a few years now and am currently on my 4th pregnancy (3rd with this company) and have always felt completely supported in an amazing environment - I feel as though being honest and direct in the beginning created an impression of me that still holds today. GOOD LUCK! Suzannah

Honesty is the best policy...always.

Hi S., instead of starting a "job" why not look into creating a "lifestyle" that will enable you to earn significnt income AND stay home with your child AND travel And make a difference in the lives of others?
If your interested in possibilities without cutting yourself short, please give me a call at ###-###-#### or go to www.ShakleeIncome.com and learn about income opportunities that you control.
I am a Registered Nurse and teach and train women to combine career with personal dreams.
R. D

It is illegal for them to base hiring or not hiring you on the fact that you are pregnant, but you also don't have to disclose the fact that you are. And just because it is illegal for them, they may decide not to hire you for "other reasons" and not say it's because you're pregnant.

I was turned down a promotion when I was pregnant because I would have received paid maturnity leave, vacation time, disability, etc. (while I was pregnant I worked 40 hrs a week until the day I delivered but my position was a 36-hour part time position...I took the extra hours for the extra money even though it was bull****) They gave the promotion to someone else "because they had worked in hospitals longer" which had nothing to do with it. Anyway it was a disaster for them and as soon as I went on maternity leave, my boss called and offered me the position, but it wouldn't kick in until after my leave. I decided to work part-time 20 hours a week in the evenings and stay home days with my girlie instead.

Anyway I just wanted to point out that although it may be right to disclose the fact, you really don't have to. AND that they can get away with being biased towards pregnant women without getting in legal trouble.

Nothing wrong with loose fitting clothes!

Same thing happened to me. Don't indulge if they don't say. Let them assume you are fat. If you feel they are saying something about you being preggers then there is a problem. It is against the law to descriminate. Wear something that hides it. They also can not fire because of it and for the maternity leave either. Once they have you, they are stuck with you. Make sure they take the NYSDI taxes off your check though. If not then ask why. Other wise you don't get disabilty and they don't have to promise a job to come back too. Good luck! Knock them dead hun!!

PS I agree with waiting until the offer happens. That is what I did.

you never said what kind of job you are looking for or at least what field you are in. In my field (academia), for example, pregnancy during the interview would be a deal-breaker for the employer. I doubt many would be understanding in any field. so, depending on how important it is for you to get a job, I would wear something baggy and cover it up. long blouse or large jacket should do it.

S.:

If I were you I wouldn't hide the pregnancy. I would be upfront and honest about it. Back in October I was trying to concieve and I had a interview. I was very honest about trying to have a baby at the time. I explained I was under treatment for IVF and was hoping to be pregnant soon. He was very understanding and told me that these things happen in life and things could be worked out. Needless to say I didn't take the job but it felt good to be honest. That is just my opinion.

GOOD LUCK and congrats on the pregnancy!

There are lots of lose fitting blouses and shirts out there that are in style so it shouldn't be a problem disguising your bump...as far as the truth during an interview, I guess it depends on your plans...if you are looking for the short term(until baby comes) maybe don't say anything unless there is physical labor that you may not be able to do while pregnant...for the long term,I would tell them your pregnant...I was in your position at about 12 weeks along and I told the truth and explained that's why I was looking for a new job(I had been traveling). I wasn't showing and I told them I didn't want for them to be feel i hid it...I got the job.

hi S. i am 20 weeks and still working as a bartender.. and hidding it i bought a shirt at for ever 21 and is a miracle no one can tell so what i suggest is to go to this stores and try every piece of clothing that you think might cover it and i am sure you will find something if i was able to do it i am pretty sure you will to specially that you do not have to wear nothing sexy like me... good luck

Hi S.,

I was actually in a very similar situation. My current employer hired me when I was about 4-5 months pregnant! I wasn't showing as much, which was hard to believe as this was my third pregnancy. When I was called back with a job offer, I requested a meeting to discuss the offer and at that time I disclosed my pregnancy. This way I was starting off on the right foot with my new employer. I was fortunate that they were very happy for me and are awaiting my return. I go back next week. They were glad that I disclosed the pregnancy at that time, as they felt we had a more honest relationship.

Best wishes, job searching is not easy to begin with.

S. :-)

Hi S.,
Yes honesty is the best policy,but lets be realistic, the unspoken truth for the most part in companies is not to hire an expectant mother because in 9 months time you will be leaving for 3 months if not for good or you will be on their insurance and all that blah blah blah. It is a rare find when you run into a company that doesn't take this into consideration and hires you. If you are a single mom, then you must do what you have to do, but I wouldn't say anything on interviews. Perhaps you may have the option to not work until after the baby is born. Good luck to you.

I was recently in a similar situation...although my interview was for another position within my company.

The advice I received from my mentor was not to say anything. After all, legally you cannot be discriminated against because of a pregnancy. But I understand how you feel.

I did not disclose anything in the initial interview because it was not relevant to the discussion and I didn't want it to influence that first impression. But in the interest of being honest, I did mention it during a follow-up call before any offers were extended.

Just remember to focus on being professional. That is what the interview is about. (And a suit jacket over a looser fitting blouse can do wonders to hide a bump!)

First of all it is illegal to discriminate against someone because they are pregnant and you have no obligation to disclose to future employers that you are pregnant. Legally they can't ask you if you are pregnant or if you have children, for that matter.

This is a difficult situation...I have been both a pregnant jobseeker and an employer looking to hire; it is tough to get past the fact that you (the potential employee) will be working for a few months and then off for several weeks with the chance you may not even return after the baby is born. What I did when I was looking for a job is take a temp-to-hire job and proved that I was a very good asset to the company. I was hired in my 8th month. Just in time for me to receive paid maternity leave. It worked out well for both of us.

As long as you have the skills to do the job the rest shouldn't matter, but it does. If you decide not to disclose your pregnancy voluntarily, when you are offered the position you should have already thought through your 'maternity leave' plan and discuss it with your employer at that time.

Wear some slightly baggy clothes and let them think you have a little 'beer belly', lol.

Good luck.

K.

Are you sure you want to be a mom? Be proud of your "bump" which is your baby.

S.,
If your job hunt doesn't work out, please consider staying home with your newborn and working from home. You are welcome to contact me: www.ReachingGoals.Org or www.LiveTotalWellness.com/L.
L.