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.

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

More about Mothers in the Workplace

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MommysMiracle/~3/R57Ljy3aWDM/extra-qualified.html