Starting a Family and a New Job

Who isn’t nervous about sharing the news that they are pregnant during an interview process? During the early part of the recruitment process, I informed Sportsbet that I was pregnant - a conversation I rehearsed repeatedly in my head. I was blown away by their response.

My primary liaison, Beck, was amazing throughout the progress of my application. She was supportive and expressed excitement on hearing my news. This eased the lingering concerns I had regarding its impact on my application.

Even before receiving my job offer, my new manager extended their good wishes. I felt supported right from the start. In particular, I appreciated the diversity of the interview panel and the relaxed environment they created.

Starting a new job can be intimidating. I was three months pregnant with my first child when I began at Sportsbet so you could say that I was a little nervous. However, my anxiety was eased during the interview when it became evident that diversity and inclusion are central to Sportsbet’s values.

From day one, my team shared my excitement about starting a family and made it clear that they were making a long-term investment in me and my career.

As a planner, my role in Risk and Compliance aligns with my strengths. I appreciated my manager’s transparency in sharing clear expectations for the first six months of the role, not just from a team perspective but also considering my own growth and development. I feel immensely grateful for the support and care I have received from my manager and team. It’s truly made the transition into this role such a positive one.

You may be curious about how my introduction to the team went. It was so warm, everyone expressed genuine excitement, and I found myself celebrating the news all over again! My colleagues frequently check in with me, ask about my needs in the lead-up to parental leave, and offer to share the workload. And the introduction of hybrid/flexible work arrangements has been a game changer, allowing me to navigate hospital appointments easily while working from home during the third trimester when fatigue begins to really kick in.

If I had to share advice on navigating a situation like this, I would say to remember that the interview process is a two-way street. Take the opportunity to interview the company as well to ensure the culture and environment align with your requirements. Do not be afraid to inquire about their parental leave policy and the type of support they provide. It’s natural to be nervous when applying for a role, whether pregnant or not, but it's important to find a company that upholds the right set of values and culture to support you.

With Sportsbet, I was able to forget my nervousness and embrace my pregnancy and the new chapter in my life that this role brought. With their support from day one, I was shown that I can still thrive in my career while also having a family. It is wonderful.

I would like other women to know that there are opportunities out there. If you come across a job advertisement that stands out, take the next step and apply for the role. If this has sparked your interest, be sure to check out Sportsbet’s career site for job openings today.