https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:57:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441498 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 16:48:23 +0000 LBee 1441498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: This makes me very happy! Sounds like things could be aligning for you to get this job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441489 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 16:45:26 +0000 Mae 1441489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>UPDATE: I remembered I knew someone who knew people in that office and asked her advice. Found out that all the women in the office have kids and the interviewer has a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I was told the office is VERY family friendly and with all those new moms in the office the chances of them not noticing are zip anyways. So I think I'm just going to disclose it when it comes up naturally and try to spin it in a positive light. Like-- obviously this is not the most ideal timing for me but it is SO worth it because this is a job I could see myself staying at for a very long time. Etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441457 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 16:34:28 +0000 hellobeeboston 1441457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I interviewed at 32 weeks pregnant - I told then immediately, and it was pretty obvious. I only heard from then since they had been stringing me along and finally called.... It didn't work out due to timing and the maternity leave I wanted, but they did get back in touch with me later for another opportunity - so I was glad I had gone in to interview even though I was so pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441100 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:33:02 +0000 whodat 1441100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I interviewed a woman for an attorney position, who was about 6 months pregnant, and it was totally not a thing. She had made clear ahead of time that she couldn't start until X date (3 months after the baby was born), and it wasn't an issue. She got the job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441090 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:29:25 +0000 californiadreams 1441090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: i actually applied for my job at like 8 weeks - a week after i found out i was unexpectedly pregnant and had been waiting for this job posting to come up! they waited a month before contacting me for an interview and scheduled the interview a month later - at 20 weeks! so when i first applied i thought i might get to work for 6 months, not 3! </p> <p>I was happy they hired me over email, so i had time to think about my responses and write an email back. There is no way i could have said "i;m due in a week" without them knowing beforehand though, i was a whale by the time i started working so i wanted to tell them before my first day. And by law, i had to give 2 weeks, not 1 week notice ;) But i actually gave 2 months officially, though they knew from when they hired when my leave would start it was a matter of deciding on how long i would be gone for.</p> <p>And ya, i guess length of mat leave is all relative and a matter of perspective. I initially told them i would "only take 3-4 months". then they insisted i would change my mind, so i did change it to 6 months. then, with still a month to go, my priorities really shifted and i knew i would be a fool not to take the full year. It was awkward telling them that i decided to go from 6 months to a year, but definitely worth it. So I guess after all that, telling them about 3 months seems like it would be peanuts, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441026 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:10:58 +0000 jedeve 1441026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: that sounds just like my situation! I applied at 20 weeks, got an interview a month later, and started a few weeks after that, so by then I was in my third trimester. I talked to them when I was being hired. I think that is a good enough balance of disclosure/protection. I think if you waited until after you had been there a month and said "By the way, I'm due next week," they would be pissed. But in the hiring convo they can't say they "didn't know."</p> <p>It's an interesting perspective that if it was only three months it wouldn't matter as much. It felt like such a big deal to me, but then everyone was kind of like "oh, you're back already?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441024 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:10:27 +0000 californiadreams 1441024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>reading over some of the recent comments, i just want to add that i don't think you need to emphasize it. And you do not need to explicitly state you are pregnant. The fact that you are pregnant should have no bearing on whether you get the job. If they factor it in, then they are discriminating. And perhaps you don't want to work for someone like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441007 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:06:31 +0000 californiadreams 1441007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i interviewed for a job at 20 weeks and was able to hide it. and it didn't come up. I was super stressed about it until during the interview i was more focused on their questions that i stopped thinking about the fact that i was pregnant. I ended up getting the job and i knew i might when they contacted me for references. But i waited until they made and I accepted the offer, they sent me a form to sign, i signed it and sent it back....THEN i told them i was pregnant.</p> <p>the tricky part was that they got back to me about the offer a month after the interview and wanted me to start a month after that! so by then i was much more stressed about telling them since i was starting to work with 3 months to go. I am also in Canada to and entitled to a year off which i ended up taking - but was a hard and stressful decision to come by. If i knew i could only take 3 months, i would not have cared half as much about telling them. </p> <p>Looking back after having gone through all that stress, i am happy i did what i did. Especially considering that i strongly believe i would not have gotten the job if they were aware i was pregnant. I also really enjoyed my mat leave knowing i had a secure job to go back to and i worked just long enough to qualify for all my mat leave benefits. in the grand scheme of things it was a blip for them, but was hugely important to me and my career and my financial situation. and i did everything "by the book" and that was within my rights.</p> <p>so all that to say - i see no reason for you to tell them, and i would recommend hiding it if you can do so successfully - maybe get other opinions once you decide what to wear. you are farther along than i was, so i can't imagine hiding it in my third tri! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1441001 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:05:24 +0000 looch 1441001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: What kind of suit jacket is it? Is it one that always stays buttoned? Maybe you can post a photo? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440996 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:04:43 +0000 Mae 1440996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I don't usually open my suit coat (I don't think most women do?) like men do… but I guess I could! I have plenty of stretchy camis I could wear under that would emphasize the bump. Might be a good middle ground to go on. I'd think 75% chance they notice unless they're really not observant then later I could pull the "well as I'm sure you noticed I'm pregnant…" thing so they know I wasn't trying to hide it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440980 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:59:13 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1440980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: empire waist shirt underneath? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440976 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:58:12 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1440976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: I think this is great advice!</p> <p>I don't think you need to disclose until the second round. In interviews I think it is best to look out for yourself first. You don't owe them any loyalty until you are an employee. You are feeling each other out....you don't have to feel like you are on display for them. Plus there might be zero interest on your part or their part in which case disclosing is useless. I personally would rather know why I didn't get a job so I could work on those issues, rather than always wondering if it were because I was preg.</p> <p>These rules about discrimination exist for a reason.... They are protection for you ! So avail yourself of them. Would a man whose wife was expecting feel forced to disclose that in a first round interview? You're basically the reason that law exists!</p> <p>GOOD LUCK! I hope this ends up to be a good match for both you and the company ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440974 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:57:44 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1440974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I think it would still show with the jacket on if the blouse underneath is fitted enough and or the maternity dress, but I don't *think* you have to take the jacket off, and I suggest you don't since that that is the attire standard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440973 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:54:50 +0000 Mae 1440973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: Interesting idea! Just rock the bump and not make it a topic so I'm clearly not hiding it but also not making a thing of it. The only issue is that it's a legal job and generally the standard attire is suit, without exception. In the only suit that still fits me, it isn't super duper obvious because it's just a bigger size, not a maternity suit. I guess maybe I could wear a suit coat over a black maternity dress and then take the jacket off when I sit down? Hm… something to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440862 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:19:32 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1440862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly? I'd just wear a top that emphasized the bump, and then not say ANYTHING so that they'd do but you don't mention anything because they can subconsciously decide whether they are able to wait for your mat leave or not, but the pregnancy will not be a topic of discussion, since this interview is to see you as a candidate and your skill set, not about what is going on in your uterus. That way, if you do get an offer and they say "we want you to start...XYZ" you will be like, "well obviously, i'm expecting". And it will be obvious from day one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440765 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:50:41 +0000 jedeve 1440765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Agree. </p> <p>With my job, the timing was definitely an issue (they wanted me for a project during what would have been mat leave, something not clear in the job description until I was mid-interview). I discussed it with them during the offer conversation. I think it is fair to bow out at that point if it just won't work practically for you or them. But I don't think there is a point to removing yourself prior to that, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440735 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:43:04 +0000 regberadaisy 1440735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: if you're worried about the start time aspect. I think if they want you then they will be waiting to wait. My current employer called me out of the blue. They wanted me to start yesterday. I was worried it would be an issue but I did not want to be unprofessional and not give my old boss the professional two weeks. In the end they wanted me enough that they waited. I realize two weeks and maternity leave is different! </p> <p>I would personally not specifically call it out unless you felt during the interview it became an elephant in the room, so to speak. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440711 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:35:44 +0000 Greentea 1440711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I second everything you said! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440685 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:27:02 +0000 jedeve 1440685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I DEFINITELY would not say anything. I disclosed I was pregnant in two interviews and did not get either (not for lack of qualifications - one interview the HR department apologized hugely for after I complained and admitted I would have been an ideal candidate). </p> <p>The third interview, I brought it up when we discussed the offer. I told them I understood if it didn't work with their time frame and needs, but that I was still interested in the job. They ended up offering me a different (and honestly much better!) position because of the timing. Although they did technically know I was pregnant because someone else had accidentally told them.</p> <p>Legally, they can't discriminate against you because of your pregnancy. But in reality, in can be hard not to. I've heard employers say they would rather not know since knowing can put them in an awkward legal bind. If you are pressed, I would just tell them when you are due but not discuss it much more than that.</p> <p>Based on my experience, I would never disclose a pregnancy in an interview again.</p> <p>ETA: I told in the first two interviews based on advice from a career counselor who said "I didn't want to look dishonest if they found out later." Now, I think that's BS. I never lied about my pregnancy, it's not something that should have affected the hiring process, and so it's not something they had a "right" to know anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440651 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:15:52 +0000 LBee 1440651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Lie was definitely the wrong term! I know you wouldn't lie - I should have said hiding it ... you have every right to dance around the subject. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440032 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:42:41 +0000 Mae 1440032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: I am definitely thinking about all of those issues! And honestly the job may not be right for ME due to those issues. But I just don't have enough information yet to determine if it is right for me or not, so I don't want to pass on an opportunity because I'm scared the timing is bad if it is the right longterm decision. So I think I should give it a fair shake and see how the interviews/offer (if I even get one-- this could all be moot obviously! lol) go. I'm really really unhappy in my current job and this is the first one that has come up in years that I think I'm both super qualified for and also would really like-- so I really want to give it every chance to work out. </p> <p>@BakerBee: I would never lie. And if they ask me something that needs to make it obvious-- like about scheduling this summer I would have to disclose. It's just, I'm not really sure if it never comes up (like if we're just talking about my past experience and whatnot) when would be best for me to say "So as you may have noticed…. I'm 30 weeks pregnant…" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440019 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:38:35 +0000 septca 1440019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Also wanted to add... there was recently a thread on this same topic on a local listserv where I live (LOTS of lawyers) and the general consensus was that NOT disclosing was a waste of time and seen as dishonesty - everyone agreed that there would likely be wiggle room with start dates/leave, etc. for the perfect candidate, but that not saying anything when it was obvious (i.e., answers were different for interviews during first tri) was seen as dishonest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440018 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:38:29 +0000 LBee 1440018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: Love the positive story! I completely forgot to include mine (I know some bees know it already, so I apologize if I'm repeating myself) --</p> <p>I had a second interview with my current company when I had just found out I was pregnant. I started the interview by telling them and explaining that I knew this changed things. We discussed how I imagined things working out with the baby and the job and left it at he (the boss) needed to talk it over with his wife (heavily involved with the company) and the 2 other employees. He ended up offering me not only the job but also 2 months paid maternity leave. I will obviously have been here for 7+ months when I have the baby, but I guess what I"m saying is that people understand that babies happen and that to get a good employee (ignore the fact that I'm currently on Hellobee at 8:30 AM at work) they have to be flexible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440017 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:37:54 +0000 looch 1440017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally agree that if you are the right candidate, the job will wait for you.</p> <p>Best of luck, I have no advice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440005 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:34:23 +0000 LBee 1440005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I can it a lot of ways...</p> <p>It could be insanely awkward at the second interview coming out with you are pregnant and that you obviously knew at the time of the first interview.<br /> If they need to hire right away, then you are obviously not in the running anymore - I know that sucks, but you can't do that logistic wise.<br /> With that said, my mom (psychologist) always says past behavior tends to indicate future behavior -- they have taken 5+ months and are still interviewing, I'm inclined to say they are looking for the right candidate, not just a quick fix. If it's another 5+ months, that would fit your timeline and be no issue. </p> <p>All in all, I think go to the interview and feel them out. If they say "are you pregnant," I would not recommend lying. I like to think of it like this - I expect them to give me full disclosure, which means I should give them the same. </p> <p>This was kind of all over the map. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1440004 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:34:07 +0000 septca 1440004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you need to disclose it and I think you need to think about how you would handle leave if you were offered the job. FMLA eligibility doesn't kick in (if you would be eligible) until you have worked for the company for 12 months, so are you prepared to take upaid leave? A very short amount of leave? Would you prefer to start after your leave? These are things that are fair game for them to ask you about, so I'd be ready with answers + a really good reason why you want the job/would be a good fit.</p> <p>Also be prepared for the fact that returning to work - even a job you know by heart - after maternity leave is REALLY hard. You are sleep deprived, worried about your child, etc. Make sure you would be willing to put yourself in a position of having to really up your game immediately. (I personally wasn't ready to ramp up my workload until I had been back at work for 3-4 months.)</p> <p>Interviewing this late in pregnancy always worries me because the chance of discrimination is so high, but I will leave you with a positive story: A coworker of mine interviewed for her job at 30 weeks pregnant and made a really good case for why she was the best candidate for the job. She was interviewing to replace someone who was retiring, so there was a bit of flexibility on start date... she was hired and started at 38 weeks, trained under the incumbent for 2 weeks, and then took 12 weeks off (she already worked for the same organization, so FMLA wasn't an issue). Bottom line: she was the right candidate for the job, so my office was willing to take on the burden of having her out for 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1439996 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:31:57 +0000 MsLipGloss 1439996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA: removed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1439995 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:31:41 +0000 Mae 1439995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: i'll wall you, don't want to give toooo many details on the internetz :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1439992 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:30:25 +0000 MsLipGloss 1439992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Is it a traditional legal position, i.e., where you would be involved in cases? Or is it more of a *staff* type position? The type of work would make a difference to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-interview-for-a-new-job-in-the-3rd-trimester#post-1439991 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:30:23 +0000 blackbird 1439991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not bring it up unless you have an offer in hand. It's not personal, it's just business. </p> <p>I would, however, think about when you'd be willing to come in and start for them, so that if they ask you, you have a start date that is ok in your head. And possibly a second one that you are willing to negotiate to.</p> <p>I would want to make sure they liked me for what I can do/my skillset, not focusing on the issues surrounding pregnancy/new motherhood. </p>