Q: I have been trying for over a year to get on with a company
I would really like to work for. I have applied on at least two occasions over
this time frame and have finally received a request to come in for an interview.
After two miscarriages in the past 2 years I am expecting, and over half way
through this pregnancy. My question is, do I go for the interview? Do I tell
them I am pregnant? It would be difficult to hide it, but with loose clothing, I
could just leave them wondering. What should I do? If I don’t get on at this
time I still would like a shot at it after my mat leave is over. What would you
recommend I do?

A: Talk about trying to do two things at one time! And being
successful at both! Seems to me it is time to decide what is your priority in
life right now, having a healthy baby or getting a job. Probably not much of a
decision.

But, can you have the cake and eat it too? Possibly, depends on what type of
job it is, what the values and philosophy of the company is and how much you
bring to the table.

Don’t even think about going into an interview being deceitful. Being
deceitful and dishonest can only come back and bite you in a whole bunch of
painful places. That being said, you do have a couple options. Kathy Murphy, HR
Manager at Regulus Investments Inc in Toronto initially said, “Don’t go on the
interview.” She suggested you phone the company and tell them how much you have
wanted to work for them, but voila, you are pregnant and didn’t think it was
fair to take up their time to come on the interview in this condition. JoAnn
Miele, another HR professional suggests you state that you would appreciate the
opportunity to apply again after your maternity leave is over. Then we all
discussed a couple alternatives and this is what we also thought could be some
alternatives:

1.

      Don’t go on the interview.

2. Go on the interview. Tell them you are pregnant at the
beginning of the session but you wanted to meet them and have them meet you. Be
prepared to tell the interviewer why you want to work for the company so much;
that you have tried for a year, twice, to work for them, and exactly what
benefit they will derive from hiring YOU. Even if they dismiss you right away,
they know who you are and in 16 months when you contact them again, they already
know you are a trustworthy, honest individual who really cares about their
company.

From here you can suggest to work on contract until your mat leave starts
then come back full time after the year is up.

3. OR ask if it is possible to start now, give ‘er for 4/5
months and return after mat leave. This is not a likely reality.

The bottom line is, no deception, nothing but straight forward honesty.
Companies are spending thousands of dollars looking at ways they can build trust
with their employees in the workplace, the employees have to be trusting as
well.

Colleen Clarke
Career Specialist and Corporate Trainer
www.colleenclarke.com
Author of Networking: How to
Build Relationships That Count and How to Get a Job and Keep It