How I Landed My Dream Job Whereas 6 Months Pregnant

I sat within the automobile, making an attempt to not throw up. I swished a bit of sweet between my tongue and tooth—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 only a few minutes.

I used to be six months pregnant, and I had just lately 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 ft 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 considering?” However I had no alternative. I used to be commuting 4 grueling hours each 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 newborn on the way in which.

Interviewing With a Child Bump

A couple 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 might be completely ridiculous to use for a brand new job whereas anticipating. “It is undoubtedly authorized,” he reassured me.

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

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

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

Coming Clear About My Being pregnant

A couple of week later—after frantically checking my inbox each day, fearing I’d be rejected as a result of the employer by some means found I used to be pregnant—I obtained an e mail from the corporate. I nearly fell out of my chair upon studying the topic line: “Job Supply.”

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 rapidly turned to panic.

I reread the e-mail time and again. It included my new job description, insurance coverage particulars, work perks, tentative begin date, and wage provide. I drafted about 30 totally different responses, making an attempt to determine find out how to method the scenario. 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 additionally 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 go away—one thing they weren’t legally required to do since I would solely been there for 3 months and did not qualify for paid go away but. After I returned from maternity go away, I used to be provided a promotion and lift.

I do know not each pregnant individual can 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.