Hellobee Boards

Honestly, if you were interviewing with me, and you didn't disclose it during your interview, that would be a mark in the *no* column for me. I would be even more annoyed if I called you back for second interview without that knowledge, and you decided to disclose it to me then. Keep in mind that I am coming at this from the standpoint of a law firm environment which substantially changes expectations for interview candidates. And, as an attorney with a billable requirement, nothing irritates me more than someone causing me to waste time (time spent planning assuming a candidate's availability/ or planning for work load capacity without relevant information).

ETA: Your pregnancy would be a non-issue for me . . . if I liked you, I would wait for you. Fit is so important, and hard to find. If I think you would be a good fit, I would make it work!

@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.

ETA: removed

@Mae: I can it a lot of ways...

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.
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.
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.

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.

This was kind of all over the map.

@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) --

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!

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).

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.

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.

Based on my experience, I would never disclose a pregnancy in an interview again.

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.

@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!

I would personally not specifically call it out unless you felt during the interview it became an elephant in the room, so to speak.

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.

@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.

@Mae: empire waist shirt underneath?

@Mae: What kind of suit jacket is it? Is it one that always stays buttoned? Maybe you can post a photo?

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.

@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!

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.

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.

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.

@Mae: This makes me very happy! Sounds like things could be aligning for you to get this job!