Post maternity interviews

As someone who has gone through the experience of looking for a job twice, with a 5-year difference, after being on maternity leave, I want to share my experience with other women on a similar path. It can be a scary, anxious, and uncertain time, as you not only have to deal with the normal feelings of nervousness before a job interview, but also a whole spectrum of additional factors, including fear of bias and mistrust from potential employers, lost time and opportunities, and discouragement from colleagues and friends who have been successful in their careers while you were taking care of a baby. And these are just career-related factors; there are also baby and family-related ones to consider.?

Of course, everyone's experience is different, depending on the duration of their maternity leave, their ability to learn and self-develop during that time, the industry, position, seniority, and other factors. Moreover, with dynamic changes happening in the corporate world, there is always a risk of falling behind.

“Calm down, breath, and believe in yourself”

My first piece of advice is to calm down, breathe, and believe in yourself. If you feel discriminated against, the first discriminator is yourself. Don't think of your maternity leave as a weakness. Maternity is not a mental or physical illness; it provides you with a whole variety of useful skills that you can talk about in an interview. Think of it as any other career break, which is acceptable in a healthy corporate environment. Career breaks can happen for various reasons, so don't feel like you are at a disadvantage.

“Focus on the skills you gained”

My second piece of advice is to focus on the skills you gained during your maternity leave. For example, multitasking, prioritization, and time planning are all valuable skills that you can highlight. Perhaps your babysitter spoke another language, and you gained some basic knowledge. You can talk about how you restarted your career from a position of being re-energized and better self-organized. Maybe you did some voluntary work or small projects.?

“Be open with your potential employer and yourself”

Be open with your potential employer when telling your story. There is no point in hiding the fact of your maternity leave or making excuses. Even if you have to look for a different job than the one you had before your maternity leave, avoid any negative language or tone. Present your reasons in a professional and objective manner. It is often assumed that a potential employer may be biased against a woman who has taken a career break for maternity, but this is not necessarily the case. All the employer wants to see is professionalism, confidence, a positive attitude, and motivation. During the interview, you should outline your boundaries, and the employer will decide whether to accept them.

It is also crucial, to be honest with yourself. If you are still breastfeeding, if your child often gets sick, or if there are any special needs, you should be realistic in your plans. You want to avoid burnout, unproductivity, or damage to your reputation. You should clearly understand the scope and level of tasks you can handle at this time. Accept that your core professional skills may not have developed during your maternity leave and that you may need some time, additional training, or mentoring to get back to the same level as before the break. Allow yourself to take this time.

“Prepare and ask questions”

Another important aspect to consider is asking questions during the interview process. In addition to the traditional questions, it's crucial to think about your specific needs and concerns. For example, it's important to ask about the employer's approach to flexible working hours, emergency days off, and other accommodations that may be necessary for your situation. Remember that only you know what you need, so don't be afraid to ask about it. It's also important to consider how your career will fit in with your role as a parent and whether you will be able to be productive under the suggested conditions and schedule.

Returning to the professional environment, whether it's the same one or a new one, can be intimidating. Your main goal is to find a balance between your personal and professional life, by staying emotionally healthy while succeeding professionally and being a good parent. This can be challenging, but you're not alone in this journey. Remember to be realistic, and kind to yourself, and good luck!