Why Including 'Mom' on My Resume is a Game-Changer

This Mother’s Day, HeyMama, a community for working moms, is encouraging mothers to proudly list the title of “mother” on their LinkedIn profiles. They are also advocating for openly discussing career gaps related to caregiving during the hiring process. By doing so, we can challenge negative stereotypes about working moms and their value in the workforce.

Kara Alaimo

KaraAlaimo

Lauren Tetenbaum, a therapist and advocate focusing on maternal mental health, explains that mothers face misconceptions about their commitment to work when they return to their jobs after having children or taking career breaks.

This unfair stereotype can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Employers are less likely to invest in, promote, or value individuals they perceive as disengaged from their careers.

In contrast, fathers seem to be rewarded in the workplace. Research from Pew Research Center shows that men with children tend to earn more than men without children.

Parents are ambitious when it comes to their careers, according to a recent survey by Vivvi and The Fifth Trimester. One of the biggest motivations for parents is earning more money, which makes sense considering the high cost of raising children. The Brookings Institution estimated in 2022 that it would cost $310,605 to raise a child born in 2015 to age 17, with the additional expense of potentially helping with college costs. Some universities are projected to charge over $100,000 per year.

Lauren Smith Brody, the founder of The Fifth Trimester, shared that the survey results align with her experiences coaching moms. She noted that women often find inspiration from their children to seek meaning in their work, stay committed to their jobs, and pursue business development opportunities that benefit both their employers and themselves. Contrary to cultural beliefs, these mothers are not distracted from their career goals by their children.

Our society needs to reconsider how we view the dedication and worth of mothers and their work. "Being a mother is a source of pride, and you possess many skills such as leadership, social, and emotional skills that can be applied in the workplace," according to Tetenbaum.

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As mothers, many of us have to excel in interviewing and hiring to find good childcare providers. We balance work, family, and household responsibilities by multitasking. Handling conflicts and negotiating with difficult people is part of our daily routine. We research tirelessly to make decisions about pediatricians and summer camps. We strive to be positive role models for our children.

This role is even more challenging than my previous jobs, such as being a spokesperson for global economic diplomacy under President Barack Obama and heading communications for a United Nations initiative.

Mothers should be appreciated and sought after for their skills, rather than facing discrimination in the workplace. If only a few women mention being a mom on their resumes, they may be overlooked by misinformed employers. However, by collectively showcasing the valuable skills gained through motherhood, we can help employers understand the importance of valuing and actively hiring mothers. It is crucial to educate them on why they should not underestimate the significance of career breaks for caregiving, especially considering the many women who had to take time off work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employers can attract more moms by offering childcare benefits. A report by Vivvi and The Fifth Trimester found that investing in childcare can result in a return on investment of nearly $18 for every dollar spent. This not only helps retain and attract parents but also promotes productivity.

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Another way for companies to support working mothers is to avoid demanding excessive overtime. When employers expect their employees to work long hours or always be on call, it often leads to the father taking on the demanding workload while the mother takes a step back from her career.

Many mothers are highly motivated to progress in their careers, and our roles as caregivers provide us with a valuable set of skills that could benefit employers greatly. By updating our resumes, we can encourage employers to reconsider how they perceive and treat working mothers, offering a reason for mothers to celebrate this Mother's Day.

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