Should You Mention Your Kids in an Interview

Should You Mention Your Kids in an InterviewShould You Mention Your Kids in an InterviewJob interviews make many peoples list of top stressors. Getting grilled on your industry knowledge and expertise related to a specific position is enough to make anyone sweat. But for job searczu sichs who are also parents, theres an additional layer of anxiety- deciding whether or not to mention your kids in an interview.Why is this such a tough choice? Because saying the wrong thing at the interview stage could inadvertently hurt your chances of getting the job. Even if the employer isnt intentionally trying to discriminate against parents, what you say about your family commitments could bias hiring managers against you.This is exactly why employers are restricted by law when it comes to asking about whether a job candidate has children. Its not relevant to the job that youd be doing, so questions about having kids, planning to have kids, age of kids, etc. are illegal questions that are off lim its at the interview stage- just as are questions about marital status and disabilities.The fact that employers are prohibited from asking about a candidates children in an interview should serve as a red flag for you to use trepidation around this topic as well.Heres some advice on how to handle this slippery slope, with tips about how and when to mention your kidsin an interview, and why and when you shouldntFamily friendly? Exercise caution.Happily, theres a growing trend toward more family-friendly workplaces, with expanding benefits at some companies to help working parents, including more opportunities for flexible work. That said, you dont have the job yet- so your family situation, and whether the benefits package is a good fit, isnt relevant to the position youd be doing.Even if your interviewer mentions his or her children or has family photos out, its best to play it safe and avoid bringing up your own family status in the early stages of your job search.Getting to know y ou? Make it about the job.Another workplace trend, particularly in certain industries like tech, is to have a super-collegial culture where work and friendship lines blur. Even if youve read this about the company where youre interviewing, its smart to keep your personal cards close to your vest.If an employer asks you about your interests outside of work, you can keep your answer general and based on hobbies and activities that dont involve your family. Ideally, though, you should keep the conversation focused on why youre the best person for the job, and what professional talents and skills you bring to the table.Wait for the offer.Theres a time and place for everything, and the time to be more candid about your personal specifics comes after youve been offered the job. Once you know that the company has selected you and its time to negotiate, its perfectly fine to bring up your unique situation in relation to specific bargaining chips you might want (a flexible schedule, for exam ple, to drop off your kids at school). If theres no need to get personal, though, just wait until youve accepted the offer and come on board. There will be plenty of time for your colleagues to get to know you better personally then.Since there is no hard-and-fast rule on the job seekers side, it can be tricky for applicants to know whether or not to mention their kids in an interviewbefore being hired, for fear of discrimination. While its a personal choice how you want to handle your interviews, saving details about children and family for after a job offer is a prudent approach to your job search.Find a Flexible Job