Mentioning children at interview

A question about : Mentioning children at interview

Hi

Talking to my friend about her upcoming interview for a professional role in the legal sector, she said 'I want to mention my daughter'. I said 'Why?' and she said 'Because then they know I'm normal'. Don't ask about the logic behind this, because frankly I'm none the wiser myself and can only assume she thinks I'm a childless weirdo!

Anyway, I said if it was me I wouldn't mention it, it's not relevant and the job interview should be about finding the best candidate for the role, their home life shouldn't come into it and if anything, it could be detrimental to her.

To me, her logic is warped and she is assuming others would follow the same thought process which they may not. It's not relevant to the role and in the interviewers shoes, I'd be confused about why her family circumstances had come up when not asked and may even make a negative judgement about them.

Would you mention your family at interview?

Gwen

Best answers:

• I think the company has a right to know you have kids because it can affect your work... I.e kid has sick day.
  If I could get away with it though I wouldn't mention it because of that exact same reason!
• I have never spoken about family at an interview although was asked if I had a bf!
• Mentioning her daughter will only indicate she's fertile, not normal.
  Some employers could consider women with children who want to work abnormal!
• My friend seems to be thinking of random pieces of information she 'wants to tell them' rather than preparing to answer specific questions. She's been asking my advice and then dismisses it (can you tell I'm slightly frustrated??). But then what do I know, I'm a childless weirdo who's been offered every job I've interviewed for.
• I'd regard it as quite unprofessional for someone to mention personal information about themselves at interview, particularly something that would be discriminatory if a panel asked directly. As others have said, why is this particular piece of information relevant more than other pieces of personal information? And the candidate's aim should be to ensure they meet the person specification for the job rather than go off topic.
• The first interview is about finding the right person for the job.
  Mentioning family is inappropriate.
  If she gets a second interview, then it might be worth mentioning...
• I made a point of mentioning I was a mum of two very young children at my interview. The reason I did is because I knew that I wouldn't be able to carry out the job unless they considered this wasn't relevant and therefore wouldn't hold it against me.
  It paid off for me as my boss and colleague who were interviewing me had children exactly the same age as mine (unknown to me at the time) and were very family oriented. They were hard workers and didn't assume I wouldn't be myself because of my circumtances. I got the job even though I later discovered I was the only one of 6 without the work experience they had put as desirable on the application form.
• To say you have children often goes against you in a big way. There are employers out there who regard people with children more likely to have time off and less flexible when it comes to overtime etc!