Job Interview Preparation: Take Off the Wedding Ring?

Posted by Charlene Prince Birkeland

So apparently I missed this tip in the "job interview preparation" list: consider taking off your wedding ring during an interview. Okay, fine, it's not a formal tip in any job interview preparation book. But it's part of a heated discussion going on at The Juggle, The Wall Street Journal's work-life balance blog.

Writer Sara Schaefer Muñoz asks: When You Land the Job Interview, Should the Ring Come Off? Muñoz admits she took off her wedding ring right before her interview at the WSJ. She later says: "Looking back, I felt that the ring-removal had been absurd."

But what surprised me more, however, was the number of commenter's that admitted they had done the same thing, or had considered taking off their wedding ring as part of their job interview preparation. Said one commenter:

"The reality is, in some industries, you have to play certain games until you’ve got your foot in the door and can prove yourself based on the quality of your work."

Being pregnant, I know, can send prospective hiring managers on the thought line of the interviewee being on a "mommy track." (And does this mean a Tiffany heart chain-link necklace is a tell-tale "mom" bauble that shouldn't be worn? Seriously! Let's think of all the accessories that an identify you as a mom...) And of course, we've already talked about maternal profiling that still exists in the workplace.

But since when did being married become a stigma in the workplace? News to me. Or maybe I'm just oblivious.

Personally, I wouldn't want to work anywhere that made me even think I had to hide my marriage to get the job.  What does that say about the employer? I think it says tons about their family-friend nature. Then again, when your young, married and child-free, you're not really thinking about family friendly companies. But it should be.

Has the idea of taking your wedding ring off for a job interview crossed your mind? What did you end up doing? And if you did take the ring off and get the job, what was the employer like?

And check out the post on The Juggle. Interesting discussion.

 

Comments

[Susan]

I'm right there with you. Any company that would discriminate against me for being a working married mom -- frak 'em.

Susan at Working Moms Against Guilt
http://www.workingmomsagainstguilt.com

[Dyane]

I have never taken off the ring during an interview, and I never would do that, ever. (Although right now I am not actively interviewing and therefore I am ring-free as I gained some weight & my finger got to chubby for the ring!) :)

Can you tell I am writing this at 2:43 in the morning? UGH. Insomnia sucks!

[debambam]

I have never, and would never consider taking of anything that would identify me as either married (which I'm not although there was an engagement ring for a few years) or a mother. I also have issues with working for a company or business that I thought would like me to be something I'm not! I don't understand the thinking behind this one. How is the stigma or whatever the issue with married women and/or mums is going to be dealt with if people hide who they are? I just don't understand.
Kelly

[Selfmademom]

I think this whole discussion is ridiculous. I got married one month after I started at my current job- I was very up front and told them right away I had my honeymoon planned. I figured, I'm good enough and if they want me, getting married won't get in the way. And it didn't. I wouldn't want to work for an employer where I was scared to show who I am. Getting fired up here!

[HipMamaB]

Never. Then again, I would never want to work for a company that only wanted me if they came above and beyond anything else. Even single people have life issues, its unreasonable to think that just because someone is married they are not goal oriented.

[tungsten rings]

ummmm! thats very bad i must say that i agree to HipMamaB its unreasonable to think that just because someone is married they are not goal oriented,good to all of the company like this.

rhianne

[tungsten wedding bands]

There are company's who prefer single employee, But if you have an priceless Wedding Ring why not show it and flaunt it in front of the person interviewed you.