One of the big TV programmes in our house at the moment is Channel 4’s The Job Interview; every week there has been a mum returning to work from raising her children, I sit there watching her getting quizzed about the “gap in her CV” (ie the time she took off work to raise her child. Why is “Mum” considered a gap on the CV? What would happen if “Mum” was a commonly accepted part of your employment history?
Well job interviews would be different for a start, instead of sitting in the interview room and drawing from irrelevant experience from years ago they could list their current skills & experiences!
How interview questions could be answered:
• What experience do you have in priority setting?
Well just last week I was cooking dinner, the veg began to boil over at exactly the same time as the following: the door knocked, the toddler threw a tantrum and the phone rang; I turned the veg off first, gave the toddler a toy to try and distract her and then answered the door while holding the phone!
• Tell about a time when you multi tasked?
Well when my child was a baby I used to put her in a sling to rock her to sleep, do some household chores and catch up on social media all at the same time (hands up who’s doing that right now ?)
• Can you tell me about a time when you have had to deal with a difficult customer?
Yes, one day my toddler asked for toast for breakfast, so I made it and gave it to her but she threw it on the floor; she no longer wanted toast; she now fancied weetabix; so I made that but she no longer wanted that, she fancied a yoghurt. I lovingly fetched the yoghurt and spoon remaining calm, polite and loving through the whole experience.
• Can you tell me about your organisation skills?
Yes, just to get here today I meticulously plan my morning, ensuring my child are their breakfast, I showered and got dressed in time, organised childcare for the interview, dealt with at least 10 unexpected requests from my child and due to my organisational skills I still managed to find 10 minutes to do my hair and make up and look presentable!
• How are your communication skills?
They’re great, just this week I was able to get through to my child and tell them it’s dinner time despite them playing minecraft!
The scenarios above are entirely fictitious, but I am sure we can all at least identify with one of them!
If you enjoyed this post, please share and whelp to highlight how undervalued the role of “mum” is in the workplace!
#mumsnotacvgap
If you want to read more of me on my soapbox then check this out:
Why Pregnant women should ALWAYS be offered a seat!
If you’ve had enough of me on my soapbox, you could read about some of my families wonderful adventures:
Our Visit To The Historical Dockyard Chatham
Benidorm – Amazing for Families!
Holding a Toddler Party soon? Read this:
5 Things to put in a Toddlers Party Bag
Looking for Playroom inspiration, try this:
How to Design a Playroom (With NO Storage)
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I completely agree, and I have learned far more since I became a mother than I ever did during a string of entry level admin jobs after graduation! I haven’t watched the Job Interview because I think it would have me shouting at the TV! This particular gripe is something I am passionate about, however.
https://spookymrsgreen.com/2012/03/03/appreciate-the-working-mother-housewife-general-dogsbody/
Yes this is so true, so many skills used on a daily basis and to be honest I sometimes find some adults behave like toddlers! Thanks for linking to #picknmix
Haha loved this! So true – I do feel quite a bit of pressure in interviews to remember everything ‘before becoming a mum’ it’s crazy, my life has completely changed but I have to switch back to the pre-child me and almost convince them that motherhood hasn’t changed me. It is ridiculous that it’s seen as ‘a gap in the CV’. Great post x #TheList
I have written similar a year or so ago. I think being a mum is the toughest thing you can do, (also the best). Great post. Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Author
Yes exactly! I couldn’t help get on my soapbox and write something about it!! X
I’ve been watching this programme too and this has really annoyed me! It’s always the male director referring to a ‘gap in the CV’ and the female HR person saying ‘it doesn’t matter’ #thelist
Haha this is brilliant – I totally agree and the skills we have as Mums should be recognised a lot more than they are. #picknmix
Author
It’s about everyone going for interviews but usually there’s at least one retuning to work mum per Job x
This is so very true! I think we’ve all done every single one of those! I didn’t realise that this programme was about mums going for interviews. I might have to start watching! #TheList
Just shows what type of society we live in right?! #PicknMix
Author
Hats exactly what I was and yes a toddler is definitely harder to please!! X
So true, I was a PA in a former life and negotiating with my children as toddlers was often way more intense than negotiating with senior managers!!
Author
Wow you visited quick lol 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your weekend 🙂 x
Haha, this was great! SO true.
I can definitely relate to so many of those.
Paige – http://www.paigespreferences.com
Hehe great post!! I am writing my CV up now as I need to go back to work. Eek I have a nice big 8 ish year gap that needs filling in!!
Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop..
Ha this is so true! I have a big gap in my CV, not that I have any intention of applying for non self employed jobs at the moment anyway though 😉 I like working for me too much, I’m a great boss.
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
I love this! I have seen a couple of those programmes and often thought myself why is it seen as a gap! It is the hardest job in the world and the most rewarding. I have learnt so much since becoming a mum and think I could offer an employer more than I could before. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove Laura x
I used to be a PA and I remember thinking in the early days how similar it was to being a parent – apart from the fact that my son was a far more demanding and unreasonable boss than anyone I’ve worked with! It’s such a shame that people still view taking time out of a career to look after children as a gap – I’ve learned so much about myself and definitely become far more patient and more confident in myself too! Thanks so much for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Ooh I’ve never heard of this programme will check it out though, sounds very interesting! TBH I don’t really understand why mothers are made to feel like they need to justify the ‘gap’ in their CV, I mean what’s the alternative? All women should decide not to reproduce and let the human race die out???! Maybe the MEN could have the babies- oh hang on, they can’t! It’s ridiculous!!! Brilliant interview answers by the way- I’d hire you ? #picknmix
Ha! Might be time to update my CV lol #TheList
It’s true! Mum’s have skills that they’ve developed that any employer should be in awe of! #picknmix
Author
Thank you so much! X
Yep! Totally agree. It really annoys me that being a mum isn’t valued enough by people in business. Bloody brilliantly put! #thelist
Author
Exactly, it’s certainly the hardest but most rewarding job I’ve ever had! Hopefully one day we can change it being viewed as a gap! X
Author
Thank you Alice, means a lot when people share my posts 🙂 x
Love this! Definitely sharing it! Brilliant answers, hope it makes people think too!! #SharingtheBlogLove
This is hysterical I think you mums should add t to your CV! X
Couldn’t agree more! ‘Mum’ is definitely not a gap in your CV – it’s probably the most impressive thing on a mother’s CV – certainly the most demanding job I’ve ever done and has taught me so much about time management / people management / delegation / organisation / teamwork / communication… you name it!! Such a shame in this day and age people still see it as a ‘gap’. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Eb x