Staying home with your newborn is a beautiful experience, but it often comes with financial strain. If both parents aren’t firmly anchored in full-time roles, a year of cherished moments can quickly lead to overwhelming debt and anxiety about future income.
As my current contract nears its end, I’ve been diligently searching for new job opportunities, both within my field and beyond. After several applications, I finally struck gold: an interview at a company I genuinely admire.
I devoted hours to preparing for this moment. I compiled a portfolio showcasing my achievements, reached out to my references to ensure they were ready to provide their support, and even treated myself to a haircut the night before. I purchased a new skirt, polished my heels until they gleamed, and pampered my tired, motherly hands with lotion while applying a clear gloss to my nails. I dry-cleaned my blazer and packed a spare blouse just in case the baby had a little accident on the way to the interview. I felt prepared and excited.
However, I severely underestimated the effects of “Mummy-brain.” Here are some lessons I learned—albeit too late for my first interview:
- Leave the baby at home. While I didn’t bring my baby to the interview, it crossed my mind a few times. Finding a babysitter was a challenge, and I briefly considered if my little one would peacefully nap in a stroller during the interview. Thankfully, I managed to secure my 25-year-old cousin to watch the baby, but I even pondered inviting him along! What was I thinking?
- Punctuality is key. My babysitter arrived on time, but I found myself second-guessing everything—was there enough milk for the baby? Had I written down the emergency contacts correctly? By the time I finished my checklist, I was late for the interview, a first for me.
- Keep the conversation professional. While motherhood is fulfilling, interviews should focus on your skills and experiences, not your parenting stories. If you land the job, there will be opportunities to share your family life, but during the interview, keep your personal anecdotes to yourself. And for goodness’ sake, don’t bring along any baby photos!
- Avoid baby talk. After a year of communicating in simplified terms for my toddler, I found myself struggling to articulate professional thoughts. I arrived at the interview with a diminished vocabulary and grasped for words I used to express effortlessly. I wish I had prepared by reading through professional articles or even rehearsing my own resume aloud to get back into the swing of adult conversation.
- Don’t rely on memory. Mid-interview, I realized I was struggling not just to express myself but also to remember key details from my past work experiences. I ended up sharing irrelevant stories rather than compelling reasons for why I was the best fit for the role. My short-term memory was weak, and I forgot the questions I had just answered! Ironically, if they had asked me to list the types of baby food I had stocked in my freezer, I could have provided a detailed inventory. A checklist would have helped immensely.
Ultimately, I found out I didn’t get the job. However, I did get my period—thanks, universe!
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Summary
Transitioning back to work after having a baby can be challenging. Preparation, punctuality, and professionalism are vital to making a good impression. Avoid distractions related to motherhood during interviews, and remember to prepare mentally and practically to ensure you present your best self.