Need advice, please!

Need advice, please!

I am in the final interview (virtual interview)process for pretty much my dream job with an amazing company. They accidentally sent me the internal posting that says 50% travel which was not on the job posting I applied for. Also, I’m 7.5 months pregnant plus…the hiring manager sent my old resume from a year ago when I applied with a revised resume. For some perspective I have interviewed with this team in the past so I jumped to the final panel, which is exciting, but I never had visibility to the travel requirements and such.

I love traveling for work but with a new baby I don’t want that aggressive of a travel schedule. Any suggestions on what to do? Should I debrief with the hiring manager post panel or wait to see if I’m offered the job? I’m just really confused at this point.

another note: I’m currently in a very toxic work environment so a new job is needed.

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14 Comments

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  1. Jennifer Finger

    Whatever you do, don't stop your job search. Keep applying and interviewing for other jobs and don't put all your eggs in one basket.

    I think at this point I would ask for clarification about travel requirements and anything else that isn't transparent about the job. I'd just say that you're excited about working for the company but you're concerned about work-life balance and ask how you can reconcile this. Perhaps you can do some of the work that would normally be done traveling through remote apps.

  2. Anonymous

    Great advice thank you! I do know a lot of these in person meetings can be done virtually and a way better use of time spent

  3. Sherri Jones

    Do you know why they have 50% travel in the posting? Is the travel critical for you to do the job they need done? This is always a difficult dilemma for new parents. As someone who served in the Navy and had to deploy, it was never easy leaving but the good thing I realized is that my baby (at least until they were around 6 years old) had no actual concept of time. When you combine that with the wonderful world of electronics (that I didn't have) it makes it slightly easier. As for the dream job idea - there are more than one - so if you choose staying home vs traveling for this position, I'm sure you will find another one (there are plenty out there). Good luck

  4. Julie Humbird

    I would point these things out for clarification. When I first applied at Microsoft, the job said "up to 75% travel". That sounded silly for me (I like my family). My hiring manager explained that no travel was currently allowed due to COVID and that if they needed me to travel it would be within the same metro area I live in. Visiting any client site is considered "travel" and subject to reimbursements (even if its just a 1 hour meeting). No overnight travel was needed unless I wanted to attend team meetups.

    Another example was PwC. They sent me a job posting that said "80% travel" and when I addressed it, she laughed and said "That needs updated. No one is traveling anymore"

  5. Anonymous

    That makes me feel better, since this role is at a company that reflects the companies you stated. Do you think I should ask prior to my panel or post panel? I have a few individuals within my network that currently work there and told me to ask after I interview

  6. Julie Humbird

    For Microsoft, I was told not to ask until I was speaking directly to the hiring manager.

  7. Anonymous

    Firstly, congratulations to getting to the final interview stage of your dream job, that’s awesome ?

    Secondly, regarding regarding it may be worth mentioning that the original job post you applied for didn’t include travel which is an important reason you applied along with it meeting your skill set and and what the company can offer you and vice versa. Ask why this was omitted from the initial vacancy as and check their flexibility with it.

    Depending on their response, will depend on whether this job at this time and having a new born in the near future plus travel will be beneficial or problematic for you.

  8. Anonymous

    Contact the hiring manager and ask them.

  9. Hannah

    Well my dear friend, asking for clarification is not the issue, but rather when to ask, thus, the timing, is what is crucial. I will prefer you ask when you've been selected as the rightful candidate by your hiring manager, then you clear the air with them

  10. Liz Milne

    Perhaps the 'accidental' email was because someone's seen you (with bump) and they're subtly checking that you can cope with the job.

    Respond to the accidental email saying, "Oh, hey, I think you sent this in error - my job description has some differences, including less travel etc: just thought I'd let you know!" and see how they respond - if they're fishing to get you to 'own up' to being pregnant, they're being shady, and maybe best avoided?

  11. Anonymous

    Highly doubt this one, I live across the nation than most individuals on the team and no one even knows I’m applying for this job or a candidate.

  12. Liz Milne

    Ah, fair enough :)

  13. Diane M Fabiano

    Have you posted anything about your pregnancy on Facebook or Instagram?
    If so....you can be pretty sure they know about it.

  14. Anonymous

    Nope, I don’t have social media and my friends and family don’t post about me either. I mean if they knew I feel like someone would tell me. ?

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