Spawning and Job Hunting - Part 3

Well, despite my misgivings, I've managed to land a second round interview in a couple of weeks. I still feel ambivalent about the job (good career move with more interesting responsibilities and possibility for advancement; definitely more inconvenient personally - especially since it's in the opposite direction from The Breadwinner's commute AND his job situation is tenuous). I actually kind of enjoy being ambivalent (unlike my decision over the teaching position, which was torturous) - it makes me more confident.

Turns out they want me to give a scientific talk (which I used to be able to do in my sleep, but I'm a little removed from at this point). We'll see how it goes - it might actually be fun to get back into the nitty gritty of my research again. I've been responding to requests to help people replicate my work and really going through my old files and data lately. It's intoxicating, and I worry that the old life is going to draw me back in against my will. I'm a natural problem solver, and an open question is just tantalizing. Yet I have to be practical as well, and 90 hour weeks for minimal money doesn't exactly put me in good stead as a parent. The only worry is that when I'm finally personally ready to go back, nobody's going to want me anymore.

But enough dreaming about science. I'm even larger now that at my last interview (nearly a month ago), and I've decided to bring up my spawning situation if there's any discussion at all about timing. I guess ideally if I'm offered and decide to accept the job, I could start AFTER my maternity leave, but that seems like a pretty big stretch. But first things first - time to prepare that talk!

Spawning and Job Hunting - Part 2

In light of the tenuousness of my current position, I decided to at least try to explore other opportunities. Why assume people are going to have prejudice against a spawning woman? Not trying would be saving them the effort of the worry. I send in an application for an editor position that called for exactly my expertise. It's, admittedly, a lateral move (although for a more prestigious Journal), but it would probably be good for my career long-term if I really want to stick with this editor thing. The downsides are not duty-related: a 3x longer commute, probably more stringent working hours (and less flexibility), greater costs with the commute (it's downtown). What it comes down to is that I'm PERFECTLY qualified for this position.

So I put on my maternity pants and a professional-looking maternity top, with my suitcoat on top, and trained my way down to my interview (with an HR person followed by the Managing Editor). The interview went exceedingly well - I got along well with both people and answered all the questions clearly. I had a really good vibe during the conversations, and could really see myself in the position. One catch - we didn't discuss my obviously growing stomach. I would have gladly addressed it, but it didn't come up in the conversation, and they didn't bring it up (perhaps for fear of bias?). I'm unsure what the etiquette is on this, but since I'm obviously not hiding something, I'm just planning on discussing it when/if I get an offer (which is when I would discuss money, timing, other personal things anyway). However, the grimace associated with the glances at my stomach by the Managing Editor make me wonder if I should have brought it up anyway. We'll see if I get invited in for a second round (it's only been a few days), but my feeling right now is that the job would be mine if it weren't for my spawning handicap.

And really, I can't blame them. I would probably hire the non-pregnant over the pregnant woman if they had equal qualifications. I just have to hope that my stellar 'fit' can overcome my obvious handicap. We'll see...