How I Landed My Dream Job Whereas 6 Months Pregnant

I sat within the automobile, attempting to not throw up. I swished a bit of sweet between my tongue and enamel—one of many few issues that calmed my uneasy abdomen. I glanced on the clock, which jogged my memory that my job interview was beginning in just some minutes.

I used to be six months pregnant, and I had not too long ago utilized for this new job.

It was a freezing, mid-December day in New Jersey. I took off my worn-out boots and squeezed my swollen toes right into a pair of flats. I pushed myself out of the automobile, adjusted my XL sweater-and-shirt combo, and waddled towards the entrance door.

I could not cease asking myself, “What am I pondering?” However I had no alternative. I used to be commuting 4 grueling hours day-after-day on a bus from New Jersey to get to a demanding assistant function at a fast-paced media firm in New York Metropolis. To not point out, I used to be about to be a single mother.

Getting pregnant had been an enormous shock for me—one my ex-boyfriend was not prepared for. With out monetary help from my child’s organic father and no cash saved up, I knew that working nearer to residence and household was the very best transfer for each me and the infant on the way in which.

Interviewing With a Child Bump

A number of weeks previous to my in-person interview at a New Jersey-based promoting company, I began researching what it is like to use for a job whereas pregnant. I had by no means personally heard of anybody doing it, and dozens of Google searches left me with little to no recommendation.

I used to be feeling considerably defeated till I reached out to my former profession administration professor, who was well-versed within the hiring legal guidelines. I requested him if it will be completely ridiculous to use for a brand new job whereas anticipating. “It is positively authorized,” he reassured me.

Speaking to my former professor helped me muster the braveness to use. I had an in depth editorial background and was making use of for the same function—I knew I used to be a fantastic match.

Minutes earlier than my interview, I imagined each attainable state of affairs that would go fallacious. As unusual because it was to keep away from discussions about being pregnant, I did not wish to be rejected due to it. My plan was to shake palms firmly, flaunt my resume, and speak myself up as I might at another interview. Plus, my maternity outfit was flowy and completely coated my bump.

The interview went rather well. Nothing private or out of the bizarre got here up. I felt like I hit it off with everybody I met. It was a startup firm and the workers was largely comprised of individuals from Era Y, like me. I did shortly discover, nevertheless, that I used to be the solely pregnant one there.

Coming Clear About My Being pregnant

A few week later—after frantically checking my inbox day-after-day, fearing I’d be rejected as a result of the employer someway found I used to be pregnant—I acquired an e-mail from the corporate. I nearly fell out of my chair upon studying the topic line: “Job Provide.”

The toughest half about this complete interviewing-while-pregnant state of affairs was realizing accepting this job meant I needed to lastly be upfront about my being pregnant. My pleasure shortly turned to panic.

I reread the e-mail again and again. It included my new job description, insurance coverage particulars, work perks, tentative begin date, and wage supply. I drafted about 30 completely different responses, attempting to determine learn how to strategy the state of affairs. Lastly, I labored up the braveness to ship a response disclosing I used to be anticipating a daughter in about three months—and that I additionally needed to barter my wage.

As soon as once more, I used to be met with a shock. Not solely did the corporate comply with my wage necessities, however in addition they congratulated me on my being pregnant.

That wasn’t all: Proper earlier than my daughter was born, my colleagues threw me a child bathe. I cried as I used to be flooded with items, considerate playing cards, and overwhelming help. The corporate even paid for a portion of my maternity depart—one thing they weren’t legally required to do since I might solely been there for 3 months and did not qualify for paid depart but. Once I returned from maternity depart, I used to be provided a promotion and lift.

I do know not each pregnant particular person could have the identical lucky expertise I did, however my expertise jogged my memory that nobody ought to ever really feel insecure about their being pregnant or query their value within the office—whether or not they’re anticipating or not.