Do i mention child at interview stage?

katelu

Okay so I am a single mum with 2 young kids (2 and 4) and I put on my CV maternity breaks/that I had 2 kids, and I have never been asked at interview about them or childcare. However, I have been asked once employed about childcare etc. (mainly have you got it sorted out cos we do a childcare voucher scheme). If you do want to reassure at interview ask if they run such a scheme cos you have childcare sorted and you would like to know about one if they have one. It reasures employers you have thought about it whilst keeping you in the driving seat and them avoiding any discrimination. I'd say don't hide your son but don't make him a big deal either. HTH's

Savvy_Sue

You've just given me an idea which employers wanting to know about children / gaps on CVs could use to ask the question without asking it, IYSWIM. "Our company offers childcare vouchers, would be you be interested?" Of course you'd have to ask men and women that question ...

elona

About 20 years DH worked for an international company and the first thing he realised was people who would e-mail at 5 a.m. or 1 a.m

It did not mean they were working till then, it just meant they realised they would stand out by doing this!

He worked on a special project for a few weeks and was considered "not comitted" as he arrived a little after the others - he soon saw they spent two hours "waking up!" while once he was there he was ready to work and actually got more done in four hours than they did in seven!

A_little_stressed!!

I think I wouldn't find it such a problem if it wasn't for my age, I am in my very early 20s, and feel I am judged in the 'real world' for this, so think this could be worse in the 'business world'.

I know for a fact it makes me more determined as I want to provide the best life for him through financial security. I am more ambitious and determined than many my age, plus have life expereince beyond my years.

BUT I am still going to keep quiet, I just do worry how to bring it up in converation once I begin a job!

Savvy_Sue

A_little_stressed!! wrote: »

BUT I am still going to keep quiet, I just do worry how to bring it up in converation once I begin a job!

You do it naturally, if the subject crops up. Someone says "What are you doing this weekend then?" and you say "Oh I'm taking my son to feed the ducks / buy new school shoes / to see his grandma".

or someone may ASK if you have children / a boyfriend / a husband. Once you've started it's far less of a problem. No need to be defensive about it either.

I keep the whole office amused with my phone calls home to check up on them ... :rotfl:

A_little_stressed!!

Thank you again, I do LOVE this forum! Whether I've dyd my hair orange, have car problems or I'm looking for a new job, there are always friendly people with real life experince advice to help me out! Your all like the mother I never had!! (well I have got 1 but she's useless!)

katelu

Don't worry about your age going agains you - I'm in my mid twenties, with 2 little ones, single and I have still managed to do well in the business world with a very professional job. Hope the interview goes well xxx

A_little_stressed!!

Me again! I've done my interviews, not mentioned my little terror/angel.

Now onto offers, I am expecting an offer Fri/Mon.
I am now thinking abou the £££'s.I have gone through an agency for this job, who have told me the company are low payers.
So when the offer comes in, shall I speak openly to the agency -I didn't feel it right to mention I have a child before as it will not affect my work, but at this stage I am mentioning it as it will affect the pay I can accept, basically I have to survive financially! Not being greedy, blah blah.
I take it if I turn down their first offer, they won't retract the offer, only offer better or re-offer the same? It's too late for them to change thier mind about me?

LittleVoice

I don't see why you would mention having a child as your reason for needing more pay. Employers are paying for the job to be done, not to keep a family.

If I offered a job to a candidate and they said they couldn't accept the job at that rate of pay but needed a more, I might say that it would need to be at that rate but there could be a review in, say, two months time. If I were recruiting through an agency, I would probably be paying a percentage fee based on starting salary so would want to keep that as low as possible.

cazziebo

Agree with littlevoice - your living expenses are of no interest to an employer. if you want to make a case for more money it has to be on the basis of your contribution to the job.

so are your experiences, qualifications, qualities, potential worthy of a higher salary than the one on offer? If that's the case then go for it.

if you reject the offer then there might be no enhanced offer. If you want the job then say you really want the job, really want to work for that company, but are disappointed in the offer on the table and want to discuss that further.

You're in quite a strong negotiating position as the employer will not want to go through the recruitment process again and have made a decision you're the one they want. Unlikely, but not unheard of, for an employer to change their minds at the last hurdle.