Job hunting is tough, but when you’re expecting…well, you don’t want your belly to bump you off the top of the employer’s candidate list. Shine a light on your skills with tips from New York City branding expert Samantha Ettus.

Do your homework. During an interview, you want your smarts to glow, not your pregnancy. Research the company’s history, and then you’ll be prepared to speak about its management team, product, philosophy and culture.

Be a pro. Even if your interviewer is friendly, save the scoop on your new nursery for after you’re hired. Instead, keep the interview focused on you, your skill set and what you can bring to the position.

Talk about reality. A potential employer might worry that you’ll leave after the baby arrives or be overly distracted by new mommyhood. So assert your strong work ethic and your plans to manage workflow to show you’re more than capable of handling your job postpartum.

Tip: Make a good first impression by dressing to mirror the style level of your future boss.