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a blog by Laura O'Rourke

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Extra Qualified

My maternity leave is coming to an end in merely a couple of weeks. What? You thought I was a stay at home mom? I am not going to lie to you – I kind of did too. I am grateful for the year long maternity leave we are given in Canada, but it definitely leaves me accustomed to a certain lifestyle.

When big career changes are on the horizon (and by “big career changes”, I mean “going back to work” – after being home for more than a year it certainly feels like a big career change,) it is always a good idea to dust off the ol’ resumé and make sure it is up to date.

I am lucky that I have achieved some notable resumé padding during my time on maternity leave. I have a whole writing and blogging section in my resumé that I never felt confident including before now. My resumé looks good and for the first time I actually feel proud of the things I have accomplished. I am no longer trying to fabricate a hirable person and I know that I am officially someone who has a lot of worth in certain work environments.

I am proud of my resumé.

But it isn’t complete. There is this glaringly obvious omission in it. In fact, I almost feel like I am leaving off my greatest assets and my most notable work experience.

Motherhood.

Why is it not acceptable to place my role as a mother at the very top of my resume? Why can I not devote a whole paragraph to motherhood in my cover letter? Why is the atmosphere outside the home so hostile to something that actually has so much relevance?

Employment Experience
2010 – Present: Mother

  • Management position. Managed events, budgets, and schedules. Managed team dynamics. Organized catering for evening meetings.
  • Natural leader. Experienced at being heard and seeing visions through. Good at organizing schedules and timetables and considers the wellbeing of everyone she leads. Delegates efficiently.
  • Good team player. Willing to accept when it is time for another leader to step up for a fresh perspective. Will work towards a common goal.
  • Exhibits care and compassion. Creates peace in hostile environments. An expert at solving interpersonal problems. (Efficient TimeOut enforcer).
  • Expert multitasker. Can complete multiple tasks at once in the midst of insufferable distraction. Does not even require personal space.
  • Impeccable memory. Able to retain information for future use. Examples include television theme songs and beloved story books.
  • Imaginative and creative. Two creations were accomplished so well that they took on life of their own.

Management, leadership, multitasking, organizational skills, interpersonal skills: Who wouldn’t want to hire me?

Still, these qualifications attained through motherhood are hidden in efforts to make ourselves seem less family-oriented for potential employers. Society doesn’t necessarily want to hear about the role of motherhood. If they did, they would have to find a way to value it more. So for now, let me assure you – mothers (and parents) reading this – your job is valuable. Your job is worthwhile. Your job is tough. And the things you do day in and day out are major assets.

Cooking dinner with toddler in the background

Photo from my Daily Self Portrait series. Please Like my Facebook page to see more.

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Comments

  1. Wonderful post! I am quickly learning how challenging the role of motherhood can be a times. Only if you could sneak into your resume :)

    I have been off work for 7 months, and could not be happier to continue to stay at home with my little guy :)
    M.M recently posted..March Break LoveMy Profile

  2. As always…great insight. I have a blog post in “draft” form that basically feeds right from this. This whole mothering thing is the real deal, and involves just about every skill imaginable. When my little one was 6 months old I actually had a job interview. I was nervous to let them know that I was a mother – will they think I’ll be distracted or that somehow mothering has zapped every last brain cell. Guess what – I AM distracted and I DO have fewer (or at least very different) brain synapses firing during the day…but I’m better for it.
    I got the job (mostly a work-from-home-gig), and I’m convinced the fact that I was a mother played a big role. My employer understood what it takes…
    Enjoy the transition back into working life. There are wonderful aspects to both.
    Elisabeth recently posted..Life LatelyMy Profile

  3. I think we SHOULD put it on our resumes but unfortunately you’re right, it’s not looked at that way, usually. I do wish that could change. I would add Ingenuity and Improvisation to that list. I’ve certainly mastered some of those skills as well, in my almost 9 years of Motherhood. ;)

    Great post, Laura!
    Elaine A. recently posted..Nurturing The Soul of Your FamilyMy Profile

  6. I think there are some jobs where our work as mother is relevant and adds value. Definitely. But I really struggle with trying to equate some of the skills we get in the home/parenting realm to the same sorts of skill as they apply in a corporate environment. Having been in both environments, I just think the skills aren’t equivalent (leadership as a parent vs leadership at work, for example).

    I do think that we learn a lot as parents and gain experience and maturity and perspective that we didn’t have before, though, and I do think that should be valued more.
    Robin | Farewell, Stranger recently posted..Do You Doodle?My Profile

    • I don’t disagree with you – which is why the sample resume above was written a bit tongue in cheek. Leadership might be one of those traits that don’t equate, but other skills we do in the household could likely apply to any job outside the home. Multitasking, organizing, and planning for instance. Budgeting for another. Sure, it might not be full on accounting, but I can’t see how those things wouldn’t at least prove that you have experience juggling responsibilities and tasks and finances.

      I think in blogging, taking things a little further than they actually need to be taken can get the point across better which is, like you said, that these skills should be more valued.

      Thank you for reading and sharing your opinion! :D
      Laura recently posted..Extra QualifiedMy Profile

  8. here, here. I’m with you! I wish it was acceptable to do this too. I know being a mother and all I’ve learned and experienced in the past 6+ years has made me work harder, smarter, more efficiently, more creatively. I’m more empathetic and kind. I’m more understanding and able to solve problems. I can prioritize and organize and lead like nobody’s business. Great post Laura. xoxo

  9. I love your creative take on the resume.

    I’m going to agree AND disagree with you. I worked for 10 solid, straight years, before I became a mother. And I’ve been a stay-at-home mother for over 3 years (I hate to use the word full-time, because any mother is a full-time mother, we can’t check out just because we’re at the office). I have used the same skills I honed at work, at home e.g. multitasking and so on. And I’ve definitely learned a few things being home with the kids. But negotiating with kids is far different from negotiating contracts, for example.

    I do think though, that having been at home for this long, I am more patient, less abrasive, and definitely less judgmental. If I choose to go back to work, I think those qualities will carry me well.
    Alison recently posted..Old School BloggingMy Profile

    • You’re not wrong, but I think my “creative” resume was written a bit tongue and cheek. I think I have learned and grown as a person in the years that I have been a mother, and those lessons I have learned definitely make me a better employee. (Part of this is that until I got pregnant, I was a waitress, so didn’t have a career until after being struck with motherhood – I was also 23 when I got pregnant with Cameron).

      The part you agree with is definitely my point. And the fact that even those qualities – patience, calmness under fire, etc, are still not even valued in a workplace if they are built from traditional motherhood roles.
      Laura recently posted..Extra QualifiedMy Profile