Being a stay-at-home mom for years, I know I am not alone in this quest. As we re-enter the workforce, we face anxiety thinking about what it feels like being back. We overthink about qualifications, competition, skillset and how our “resume gap” or employment gap can affect potential employers knowing that we, as a mom, had to stop going to a “full time” job to take care of our growing kids. Well, while our children are still continuously growing, most of us who decided to go back to work believe that we can take part in providing the best for our children in a dual-income household. This is one debatable topic but this is a crucial decision which is most importantly agreed upon by both the husband and the wife.
But why do some recruiters feel like hiring a mother who has been busy taking care of her kids full-time is a mistake? It is never wrong to choose family over anything else but sad to say, this is happening in the recruitment process. Some people treat it as a disease. Discriminating those who indicated an employment gap in their resume so some moms leave it blank, won’t mention it or worse, lie about it. Luckily, there are still people who think that this shouldn’t be the case.
Here’s what the President of Roose Recruiting and Consulting said about the “resume gap” and why it should not stop a recruiter from going on with the recruitment process and hiring that qualified applicant.
“I want to believe that people hire people. People hire potential. People hire stories. People don’t hire resumes. And I hope others of you will believe it as well. If you’ve not worked because you were taking care of your kids or an aging parent, don’t feel like you have to hide. Wear the fact that you love your family proudly.”
Another CEO from Maryland who is also a father reminded recruiters that "if a woman has a gap in her resume due to raising a child or maternity leave, it does not mean that she forgot how to work or lost any of her skills.”
You have no idea how we meticulously weighed things out until finally concluding that this is it, it will work and that we are well equipped for this. One thing for sure, working moms are hardworking moms. We’ve been there. Working full time prior to the baby's arrival and working full time as homemakers. And when you say passion, dedication and determination, do not underestimate the qualities of a mother who would do anything for their children. Plus, when you pause your career and your “life” in general to take care of your children, that is passion and loyalty.
So when you hire someone with a “resume gap”, don’t stop there. Have a conversation with her, she has a story to tell and from there her potential will radiate.
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