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Moms at Work

The Art of Interviewing

By Mary Dixon Weidler

– Many moms make the mistake of talking about their children at this point. Sure, we're all proud of our kids, but the employer wants to make sure that you're focused on the work while you're on the clock. Answer the question he's really asking – "What work are you most proud of?" – and leave the stories about teaching little Joey to read before he was 3 for the break room.

– This is an illegal question, as it does not pertain to the work. However, you should know that many employers – knowingly or not – slip in illegal questions, and you should prepare yourself for them. If asked about your children (or your age, religion or other irrelevant information), you can approach the subject in one of two ways. You can inform the employer that the question is illegal. Most will withdraw the question at that point, but this may be held against you when the final hiring decision is made. Your other option is to answer the question – and the employer's concern – directly. "Yes, I have two children, but I have very reliable childcare," should assure him that you'll be focused on your work while you're there.

Preparation is the key to confidence in an interview situation. The good news is that there's not a lot of creativity in questions. Most are standard and are designed for the employer to learn what you can contribute to the company. Before the "big event," practice your answers to the questions. Have your spouse or best friend (or both) do mock interviews with you, so that your answers (although prepared) come off as upbeat and natural.

Although feeling prepared about your answers to common interview questions will go a long way to boost your confidence, there are other ways to shine in the interview. No matter how good your answers are, you may blow the interview if you don't look the part. Although there are many "rules" to dressing for an interview – and experts sometimes contradict each other – a simple rule of thumb seems to apply to most situations. That rule – find out what the employees at that company wear, and dress "one step up" for an interview – will cover a variety of situations, whether you're seeking employment as a Chief Financial Officer or a Chief Bottle Washer. Remember, it's better to go into an interview wearing a suit and finding the employer in jeans and a T-shirt than to wear your "casual" clothes and find the employer in a three-piece suit.

Want to see more?

• More Than a Job: Managing Your Career and Pregnancy
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!
• Changing Career Paths: It's Never Too Late to Start a Second Career

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