Going on Maternity leave in 3 months, Should I still apply for an internal Engineering Manager position?

20 Comments

1. Shelly EdwardsSeptember 29,2022 at 5:13PM UTC

   You should absolutely apply for the position. Number one, there are laws that prevent them from considering your pregnancy in their hiring decision process. Number two, you have the experience they are looking for plus the internal knowledge of the company. I would hightlight those strengths when applying for the job. You never know. It's possible that they are waiting for you to apply. If nothing else, they will see your desired path for your careertrack. Best of luck with the promotion and the new baby!

2. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 5:30PM UTC

   Absolutely go for it! I am actually working with someone right now on an internal move, brand new position and all for a very busy team - she is due end of the year and they are doing everything they can to make this happen (except her boss...I think he is even in denial she is pregnant and will be going on maternity leave so one way or another she will be leaving him).

3. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 6:00PM UTC

   Yes! Please try for it and tell us how it goes!

4. Megan LeasherSeptember 29,2022 at 6:17PM UTC

   Go for it!

5. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 6:43PM UTC

   Apply! Good luck. Also, wishing you and your baby a positive, safe and healthy delivery.

6. Lisa AndesSeptember 29,2022 at 6:51PM UTC

   I often have to remind myself to not be the one that tells myself no on an amazing opportunity I really want, and so I am sharing that advice with you. I hope you through your name in the hat! Good luck :)

7. JenniferSeptember 29,2022 at 8:21PM UTC

   Girl, I have never heard that saying before, and I absolutely love it. I will be tucking that one away for future use, for both myself and others. Thank you for sharing!

8. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 6:51PM UTC

   Try. You never know. Good luck on both the baby and the possible work advancement!

9. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 7:01PM UTC

   Apply or, at minimum, reach out to HR.
   Your company knows that you are going on leave. If they can’t work around your maternity leave, they will let you know.

   On the other hand, if your company is enthusiastic about your application, there is no problem in going forward.

10. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 7:30PM UTC

    I would say yes apply, I'm sure they would rather have someone that's within the company and knows how things go and already built relationships with others.

11. AnonymousSeptember 29,2022 at 8:41PM UTC

    You should apply and see how far you get. It is not clear whether this is an internal bid or if they open the job announcement to others outside the organization. If they do, your competition may be tougher than you realize. Also it is not like they don't already know you are taking maternity leave soon. So if they really want you in the position, they will go out of their way to be accommodating. For example, I have seen situations, where an employer delays a start date or an internal promotion date for up to 6 months because they really wanted who they wanted. It is possible that could be the case. But that is a decision for them to make. If you make it to the final round and they open the discussion about you taking maternity leave, you can offer it up as a suggestion, maybe someone can be acting manager for a few months until you take on the role. The other thing to consider is do you know how demanding the workload would be when you become a manager and would you be willing to accept those deltas post delivery? Some people might have a comfortable 9-5 in their current job but when they become a manager at the same company, same department, the job always demands more of a 10-12hr days. Make sure you are fully aware of what you would be walking into if not already verified. Whatever you decide to do, if it was me and if it did not result in consistent 10-12hr days and my current management seemed genuinely supportive, I would give it a shot. The answer is always no unless you ask or put yourself out there.

12. JenniferSeptember 29,2022 at 9:22PM UTC

    You owe it to yourself to go for it. I'm assuming that your boss/company already knows that you're pregnant (not that you shouldn't still go for it, it's just a more involved discussion). If you work in the office at all, I imagine you're showing, or at least won't be able to hide the bump much longer. Have you decided on how long you will be taking for maternity leave?

    I agree that it would take an external candidate way longer than a couple of months to be fully up to speed. Plus, there is added benefit of an internal hire being a known quantity, so there's less risk than an external hire.

    I suspect hiring externally is going to be more challenging right now vs how it was in Q2/Q3. First, for start dates in Dec/Jan/Feb there are candidates who would potentially be walking away from significant bonuses that your company would have to compensate them for (or delay start date). Second, I get the general sense that the uncertainty in the economy has candidates less eager to leave a company where they have some tenure and feel relatively secure for the uncertainty inherent in a new company/role. Layoffs can happen to anyone at any tenure (I'm a three time winner), but people do have the fear of last in/first out.

    Your company may be able/choose to speed up the hiring process to get you in the role ASAP so you can get familiar with job and your team before maternity leave. It would also give them more time to backfill your role before your leave, which help alleviate any workload pressure from your absence. (Honestly, it is often easier to cover a manager's absence than an individual contributor's, especially in technical positions where active supervision isn't a significant portion of the role.)

    They might also make the offer effective when you return (which would be cheaper from a salary perspective), but have you start attending meetings to get familiar with the dynamics and key projects/initiatives.

    Talk to your boss and express interest and intent to apply. Hopefully boss is a good boss and will actively promote you to the hiring team and facilitate an introduction to the hiring manager. (Personally, I'd also reach out to the hiring manager after talking with boss if an introduction isn't brought up.) Worst case, by applying and having a chance to demonstrate what a great candidate you are, leadership will know that you're interested in advancing, and you'll be top of mind for the next opportunity.

    Goodness, this is a novel. Are you convinced yet that you absolutely should apply? Good luck with the job and your upcoming tiny human creature!

13. AnonymousSeptember 30,2022 at 1:13AM UTC

    Go for it, You may regret it if you never at least apply! Good luck!

14. AnonymousSeptember 30,2022 at 12:51PM UTC

    It doesn’t sound like the timing is right for you. Focus on the baby.

15. Crystal HowellSeptember 30,2022 at 12:53PM UTC

    Just Go For It, it shows them you are there for the long haul and want to move up. They better be careful, they can't use your pregnancy as an excuse not to promote. What have they done in the past 6 weeks, managed? Or was their another engineering manager that left? There is always Virtual, good luck!

16. AnonymousSeptember 30,2022 at 2:05PM UTC

    We have a senior Director of Engineering, they've decided that it would be best to have another person between him and all of us so this would be a new position

17. AnonymousSeptember 30,2022 at 2:06PM UTC

    Thank you everyone! I'm going to at least apply! At a minimum it would better show my boss my experience and background (current boss didn't hire me, doesn't know my full background), and it would show them my desire to move up!

18. JenniferSeptember 30,2022 at 4:41PM UTC

    Awesome! Good luck

19. tamara hurwitzSeptember 30,2022 at 3:01PM UTC

    Yes!

20. AnonymousOctober 2,2022 at 1:14PM UTC

    Yes - I got promotions and new jobs following each of my maternity leaves. You can do it