Tough Interview Questions For Mothers returning to workforce
Ever since I started active job searching, I have went for several interviews under government sectors. There was this particular tech company that grilled me with questions after knowing I took long leave for my girl. After it ended, I felt that I was openly DISCRIMINATED, just because I'm a mother who went on long leave for caregiving responsibilities. & it's not just the content of the questions that was asked, it's the tone and the way the questions were asked, like an interrogation.
These are the questions that this particular employer asked during that interview:
1. Why do you want to return to work?
2. How prepared are you in returning to work?
3. What have you learnt/ tried to improve on during your break/no pay leave?
4. How fast are you in learning new things?
5. Are you comfortable working with a manager who is younger than you?
6. Why should we choose you over someone currently working?
😱 Borderline INAPPROPRIATE question
Interviewer:
There are others who worked after a long break and can't do well. What if this happens to you?
Me: I believe that with my strong learning abilities and my determination to do well in my job, I would not encounter this issue. I would have actively sought clarifications when needed. I would also ask for a performance review regularly to ensure that I'm delivering up to expectations
The interviewer continues to ask "what happens if I can't perform well after doing all that" for another 2 times. I was so overwhelmed that I just said " then maybe this job might not be a best fit for me" 😭 In hindsight I should have just repeated that I would still keep trying. But I was so exhausted by the grilling that I just wanted it to end.
🚨 Red Flag Questions
❌Now that you have a child are you sure you can cope with work? What if your child affects your work?
❌Are you planning to have one more child/ expand your family?
These questions are non work-related and directly make biased assumptions based on parenthood. By right these should be illegal but it would STILL happen, even in an interview for a govt sector role.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That interview went on for a gruelling 45 mins. I was so drained by the end and I cried on my way home. Maybe I'm a strawberry generation girl but it was that traumatic for me. & As expected, I failed the interview but I'm glad that it failed as I do not wish to be in such a horrible company.
After reflection, I thought it was still a valuable experience as I also learnt how to better present myself and not to waiver under harsh questions. I'm now much more prepared for future interviews! If the going gets tough, the tough gets going!
Hopefully my sharing would have given you some ideas of the difficult questions that might be thrown to you during an interview and you would have been well prepared. Stay firm and confident!👍 We can do this!
Returning to work after a career break for caregiving can be challenging, especially when encountering tough or biased interview questions. From my own experience and conversations with other mothers, I’ve learned that preparation and mindset play a big role in overcoming these hurdles. Many employers may ask questions about your readiness, your skill development during your leave, and your adaptability to workplace dynamics. For instance, being asked "How prepared are you to return to work?" or "What have you improved during your break?" are common, but it’s crucial to answer confidently by highlighting any courses, volunteer work, or self-learning you've done to stay current. One issue I faced was the interviewer repeatedly probing about my potential to fail after returning from a long break, which felt more like an interrogation and less like a fair assessment. In such moments, it helps to remain calm and reinforce your commitment to learning and performance, but also recognize when questions cross into inappropriate territory. Questions such as "Now that you have a child, can you cope with work?" or "Are you planning to have more children?" are discriminatory and often illegal. Unfortunately, they still occur and can be red flags about the company culture. It’s important to know your rights and to consider carefully whether a workplace that asks such questions aligns with your values. To better prepare for these interviews, role-playing these difficult questions with a trusted friend or mentor can increase your confidence and help you craft strong, professional answers. Remember, showing resilience and a positive attitude can leave a lasting impression even if the questions are tough. Finally, try to network with other mothers returning to work or join support groups. Sharing experiences and advice creates a community that can uplift and guide you through the process. I’ve found that learning from others’ stories not only prepared me better but also gave me the strength to keep pushing forward. Overall, while the journey can be daunting, equipping yourself with knowledge, practicing your responses, and maintaining your self-confidence are key to navigating tough interviews successfully. If an interview feels draining or discriminatory, it might simply be a sign that the company isn’t the right fit for your talents and priorities. Stay strong and keep moving forward – you’ve got this!
So disgusted after reading this. Sorry to read about your experiences. I think it's good that you didn't persist. sometimes these interviewers already made up their minds but they had set quota to fulfil before hiring their selection. 💩