"Interviewing While Pregnant? Why Not?" - 03/06/19 Edition
Stephen Says Column

Dear Stephen:

 
 I am a sales rep at a furniture manufacturer. Unfortunately, I recently lost my job. It is a strong economy, and my sales numbers were good but my boss and I just did not get along. Sometimes things just don’t work out.
 
 I am a 37-year-old mom with a three-year-old at home and a live-in nanny. I am a co-provider with my husband so working is really a necessity in my household. Childcare is not the issue with my job and is not the reason things didn’t work out.
 
 I have been interviewing for the past few months and things seem to be going fairly well. I just found out, however, that I am pregnant. I am not showing but in two or three months I know I will be. I am well aware of how long it takes to find a job, and I am confident that I will get one, but I soon will need to address the obvious with the potential employer: I’m pregnant.
 
 Do you have any tips for interviewing while pregnant? I know that legally it cannot affect my employment but I am worried that in some small and unforeseen ways, being pregnant could influence my prospects. After all, it is a literal and very noticeable reminder I have significant responsibilities outside of work.
 
 How do I deal with the elephant in the room?
 
 Signed,
 
 Interviewing While Pregnant
 

 Dear IWP,

 To start, you have no obligation to reveal to any potential employers you are expecting.
 
 As far as when you are showing, I think you should just explain the obvious head on and right up front. When you are interviewing, just let employers know you are an equal provider for your household, and you have means of childcare already set up. Is it legal for them to ask? Nope. Do they want to know the answers? You bet!
 
 My experience as a recruiter and in dealing with my client companies is that employers will care far less than you think they will. This is not 1962. A good salesperson is a good salesperson whether they are pregnant or a mother or a grandmother. I have never heard anything different from any of my clients. Whether manufacturers, dealers or independent reps, people simply want productive, long-term employees.
 
 Interviewing while pregnant is way more common than people think. I have had many female candidates come to me either in the midst of their pregnancy or having just delivered, and I can say with certainty this has never once affected their status in the employment process. More often than not, pregnancy is a scary hurdle but not a material one. It is all in our heads!
 
 You happen to be unemployed so you have a necessity to engage in the job market and search out a new opportunity. I, however, want to make it clear the advice I’m giving you does not only apply to a person in your position. Even if a woman is already gainfully employed but restless in her job and interested in making a change, I would advise them to continue searching through the pregnancy. That is how much of a non-issue it is today.
 
 I can think of several women who have been given offers for new positions while pregnant and even began their new job by taking a three-month-maternity leave. Yes, it does happen!
 
 Congratulations on number two, and good luck in your search!
 
 Stephen

You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
 
 Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenviscusi, Like Stephen on Facebook and follow him on LinkedIn.