I found out that I’m pregnant during a recruitment process. Here’s my story.

Before taking this step, I asked myself: Why do I want to share my story?

Recently, a lot of women are asking me about my experience and for an advice on starting a new job while pregnant. I want to share my personal and a very positive story regarding this topic. I hope this is going to make a positive change in the professional life of a lot of women and also positively impact gender diversity in the workplace.

So, here it goes. 

I started a new job in HEINEKEN Global Information Services (GIS) while I was pregnant with my second baby boy. The whole unique opportunity came as unexpected. I wasn’t even really looking for a new professional challenge. My previous company got me promoted to the newly created role - Head of Product Business Process Automation. I found out about an exciting opportunity in HEINEKEN, and suddenly there am I walking towards my first meeting at their brand new office in the centre of Amsterdam. My recruitment process was enjoyable. Everything was happening very quickly. I met my future manager and my future colleagues during the interviews, and we could’ve sensed that chemistry is growing up. I was also impressed by the ambitions of HEINEKEN, a big FMCG company, for the Agile Transformation of the GIS team. So everything was going very well. I started even imagining myself going to work here every day, and on the day of the last interview, I found out that I’m pregnant.

I was ultimately happy, personally. However, professionally, I had my doubts. What? Why? How? I was worried this happy event in my personal life would be the game changer in my professional life. I thought this will cause a “setback” and will throw me away from the HEINEKEN opportunity.

However, what I did was exactly what I would expect if I was on the other side (the manager). I called my future manager, and I was open and transparent for the newly created situation. For me, it was more important to be fair and transparent, then anything else.

Mark told me - don’t worry, we will work this out. I am sure you will be able to make a difference and a positive impact already in the next 4-5 months.

Although it was a risky choice to start a new job while four months pregnant (started two months after the contract signing because of the notice period of my previous job), I was positive that everything would be ok.

I had the full support from my future manager, my husband and family. I had all the prerequisites to be successful professionally and as a mother of two.

Now, you will probably say: “Yes, but that’s HEINEKEN.”

Well, you are right.

I have close lady friends that had unfortunate situations with potential employers while they are pregnant.

And, yes, I was one of the fortunate ones.

In HEINEKEN I met an inclusive leader who recognised the opportunity and proved that the diversity and inclusion is not only a statement, but can be reality.

But my story shouldn’t be an exclusion.

This is why, recently I got involved in something that can inspire other companies (precisely, the leaders within the companies) in the Netherlands to follow the same steps.

And pregnancy is not the only thing that we should focus one. The leaders must give chance and treat all people (men, women, younger, older, black, white, etc.) the same.

In order to bring this to the next level, I’m delighted to share the “Be The Change” event that I’m sure will contribute and make positive change for the inclusion and diversity in Netherlands.

To find out more, click here and consider yourself invited.

I’m really honoured to be one of the people that made this event possible.

And even more, I’m happy that HEINEKEN is supporting this event.

Are you in a similar situation? (Or afraid that you might be?)

In that case here are my three main recommendations:

1. Never lose an opportunity because of your own assumptions.

You don’t know what is happening on the other side. So, instead of contemplating and assuming what they think or what they will do, try to probe and get information first.

2. Always be transparent and open and act the same as you expect the others to respond if you are in a similar situation (if you have a pregnant woman in the team).

The worst thing that can happen is that the future manager might make the wrong decision. This is a good thing. Why? Do you want to work in a company that is not inclusive and doesn’t value the cognitive diversity?

3. Make sure that you have all the support of your partner and family. I am not saying that it’s easy to keep up an excellent work-life balance and to juggle with your new job, with two kids, a full-time working husband. But the support of your better half is what drives you to keep pushing forward.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

You can find more about the event here.

Come and say hi when you are there. 

Lyudmila Todorovska

Global Product Owner Robotics & Automation and Digital Enablement Platform

HEINEKEN Int.