Pregnant and applying does that go together? Pregnancy Discrimination is a hot topic this month. No fewer than 550 reports in two weeks ended up at the pregnancy discrimination reporting center of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, an alarming number. These reports mainly concerned termination or shortening of the contract. But what if you are looking for a new job and you are pregnant?
It is a difficult dilemma whether it is wise to apply for a job if you are (just) pregnant † Unfortunately we have to be honest; the chances are minimal † It does not matter much whether you have a job or not, being pregnant and applying for a job remains a difficult combination. The employer is often looking for someone who can start in the short term and does not want to arrange a replacement after a few months. That costs a lot of time and money.
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When you're pregnant, a lot of things go through your mind. Hormonally a lot changes. Are you also looking for a (new) job? Then it is good to read in advance so that you know what to expect. Because being pregnant and applying for a job is not easy.
If you are in the luxury position that you do not necessarily have to apply, it is smart to postpone this procedure. When you start this, it may be the case that frustration and stress results, something that is not really conducive to pregnancy. It is better to prepare yourself during this period for the arrival of your child. If it is your first child, it is also good to first assess how well a job and a baby can be combined for you and only then focus on applying for a job again. After all, you don't yet know exactly how you will view this.
This does not mean that you have to sit still during this period! Instead of applying pregnant, you can use this time to optimize your LinkedIn profile and expand your (online) network † For example, make contact with former colleagues or join relevant subject-related groups. This keeps you informed of the latest developments and allows you to make new contacts. Strengthening your network will ultimately help you find a job. Did you know that most jobs are forgiven through the media? This shows that having a large relevant network can be really useful. You may also consider taking a relevant job application course.
Of course there are plenty of situations where it is important to find a job as quickly as possible. So if you are pregnant and have to apply, make sure you determine your moment. If you have been pregnant for several months, you cannot ignore it and the employer immediately knows where he stands. Is it still not clear to you that you are pregnant? Be honest, but choose the right moment! Pregnancy and applying for a job thus become a kind of politics 😉 .
Do not discuss your pregnancy in your letter and also not during the first job interview † It is annoying to say, but the chances of being hired or progressing further in the application procedure are really minimal. Remember that an employer should not ask about your plans for a possible pregnancy and you cannot therefore reject † Only if it's relevant to the job, which is rarely the case. See this first conversation as an opportunity to discover whether the company and the position are right for you at all.
After the first round, there is often a second interview or sometimes even the terms of employment interview. You know that they find you a suitable candidate and they want to get to know you better. At least name your pregnancy in the last round before you sign a contract † If you don't do this and only name it after your trial month, for example, this can lead to a break of trust concerns that are difficult to recover. Just imagine yourself with your employer, how would you feel?
Tip:Of course you feel hesitant to tell this and you may be afraid of the reaction or the question of why you didn't tell this before. You can then explain that you wanted to take the opportunity to show yourself and your qualities, just like other candidates. Your qualities do not change because of your pregnancy, but you also know that being pregnant and applying for a job is not an easy issue.
If you still want the job, it then depends on how much the employer wants you as an employee and how easy or difficult he or she can find someone else. If the employer can afford to wait until after your pregnancy, he or she would rather wait for the perfect candidate than hire someone as a second choice.
Unfortunately, there is still a chance that they will then choose another candidate. They will not mention the pregnancy as a reason, but will throw it on lack of experience or something like that. It is of course a great pity, but the fact remains that only telling afterwards leads to an uncomfortable situation that can often no longer be easily repaired. You don't want that either. At the same time, you can ask yourself whether it is the right company for you in that case.
Do you feel that you were really rejected because of your pregnancy? Then that falls under the heading of pregnancy discrimination. You can read how you can deal with this in the blog we link to at the top of the text.
Josan proves in her blog about applying for jobs when you're pregnant that things don't always have to end negatively. She did a round of questions among a number of mothers who applied for a pregnant woman and were eventually accepted after all. You can read their stories here.
Image used via Shutterstock
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