Job negotiations, etc. (esp Prof mamas)

[Carita]

I had an interview last month. The chair told me at the end of the interview, after dinner that they were interviewing 3 candidates: Me (first) one other at the end of Dec, and another after the holidays in January they were working on scheduling. She said I probably wouldn't hear until mid-January, and then she quickly added, unless they decided to just make an offer after 2 interviews.

I got the impression that it went very well. That maybe they still were uncertain, but that they really liked me, and thought I was at least an acceptable candidate (based on her under the breath comment, because I don't think you'd say that if your first candidate was a bust, LOL). I went back to my university and heard that they were calling all my references that week.

Okay, so after the holidays, I got back into town and I wrote to the chair and just touched base, and she wrote this back.

We are continuing our faculty search, and had some delays caused by weather. The weather seems to be a factor lately. We are still interested in your candidacy, and I wanted to arrange a time to talk to you on the telephone about some details related to the position. Would you be available for a 20 minute telephone conversation on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning?

Okay, so I don't know if they have concerns they want to ask me about(I swear I will smack my advisor if he told them I was pregnant... I would put it past himi) But it might be that they want to talk more specifics and feel me out again in anticipation of making an offer?

Questions: They still aren't technically allowed to ask about my pregnancy, right? I am due in April, so honestly, it should affect their offer, unless they are worried that I may not defend by the end of summer. In my own head, I have seriously thought that I would like to take this position, but I would feel more comfortable if I could delay it for 1 year and just do some light research, maybe continue adjuncting. I feel this would solve both her possible worries about me finishing (because even if I defended late, I would certainly be done by 2011) and make me a better faculty member because I will have had some time off because honestly, my brain turns to mush postpartum. Is that something I should mention now, because it would allay her fears, or is it something I should keep my mouth shut and introduce at the negotiation table?

What else should I know? At this point, I do not have leverage from other offers... most of the other interviews are not starting until the spring semesters commence in a couple weeks (and I do hope to hear from one or two others that I have been in touch with).

Thanks for letting me ramble! I am having just a wee bit of anxiety over this whole thing.

[claras_mom]

No, they can't ask about the pregnancy. Talking about the ABD thing seems a possibility. But really, it could be anything. At this stage in the game, I certainly wouldn't bring up wanting to delay a year; that could make them want to go with someone else.

In any case, I think you won't know what she wants to talk about until you schedule the call. Good luck!!

[KalamazooMom]

Yes, I agree it could be anything. I wonder if the 3rd person withdrew? And no they can't ask about the pregnancy.

One thought though, you know if you were hired they wouldn't have to give you FMLA for maternity leave. You may have already thought of that. But you have to be there for a year to qualify for FMLA and if they are hard core about it they may tell you can't take the time off.

[Carita]

I the job start date is not until Aug 2010, so I doubt they would give me FLMA for a baby born in April :P. But I do need to negotiate for some kind of reduced load that first semester at least I feel. This job is going to be a lot of work if I accept it, and I can't dive in head first with a 4 mo old - at least not to the intesity they'd desire I think.

claras mom - i think you are def right about not mentioning the delayed start - as soon as you sad no way i was like "you are right - what am i thinking?? lol"

[calicocj]

I think you could reasonably negotiate a lighter load the first term w/ no mention of a baby - it seems pretty common for most places to be willing to do lighter loads based on job related factors- e.g., needing time to familiarize yourself w/ students and campus, needing time to set up research program, etc...

But until you have a formal offer in hand, better not to bring anything up that might change their mind!

good luck!