by Dr. Julie Ducharme
It’s a common scenario: stay-at-home moms, their children finally in school, contemplate returning to work either for financial reasons or simply to pursue something new. Often, their primary concern is how to update their resume after years away from the workforce. Yet, when I delve into what they’ve been doing with their kids, I find it’s not so different from what’s valued in the professional realm. Let’s break down those skills.
Definition of a mom:
- Can multi-task
- Deals with confrontation on a regular basis
- Can work under extreme pressure and deadlines
- Can work long hours and go for days with little sleep
- Can always be counted on to follow through and is always trustworthy
- Protective of her people and always has a servant attitude
- Always on time
- Can deliver sensitive material in a positive way
- Great at giving directions and explaining how to complete projects
That sounds like a job description to me!
Look at the chart below and see how your mom’s skills match up!
| Mom Characteristics | Work Characteristics |
| Can make dinner Do laundry, Watch kids Help with homework Give baths Clean house Make school meetings Help out in kid’s classroom Can talk on phone Scheduling appointments Play dates and more all with children yelling in the background | Multitasking with phone skills |
| Kids fighting over toys Wanting candy Who gets to go first? who gets to sit in the special chair? and the list goes on and on | Deals well with conflict |
| Diapers/vomit | Well-versed on how to deal with bio hazard issues. |
| Helping with homework Always get the kids to school, practices, and Dr. appointments on time | Great mentor/teacher Timely |
| Coming up with outfit for silly sock day Helping to create an innovative science project idea Making creative food for that b-day party | Creative and Innovative |
| When kids are sick, you stay up all night taking care of them, Let your spouse sleep since they work in the morning. | Team player, always willing to sacrifice for the team |
| Fixing broken washing machine, dishwasher, and vacuum | Problem solver |
| The family fish, hamster, or other critter has died and you must now do an official burial and memorial service and explain to your children, death in a positive way. | Can dispose of employees when they are a problem |
Now compare your qualities with this sample job description of a receptionist job and see how they line up.
Description: Receptionist
Receptionist Job Purpose: Serves visitors by greeting, welcoming, and directing them appropriately; notifies company personnel of visitor arrival; maintains security and telecommunications system.
Receptionist Job Duties:
- Welcomes visitors by greeting them, in person or on the telephone; answering or referring inquiries.
- Directs visitors by maintaining employee and department directories; giving instructions.
- Maintains security by following procedures; monitoring logbook; issuing visitor badges.
- Maintains telecommunication system by following manufacturer’s instructions for house phone and console operation.
- Maintains safe and clean reception area by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Maintains continuity among work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Skills and Qualifications
- Telephone Skills
- Verbal Communication
- Microsoft Office Skills
- Listening
- Professionalism Customer Focus
- Organization Informing Others
- Handles Pressure
- Phone Skills
- Supply Management
How did you match you up?
Pretty similar don’t you think? Often, women underestimate how their life skills they practice every day as a mother and wife are just as practical as to what is happening in the workplace. You just have to know how to harness your skills and transfer them over into the business world. So next time you think you don’t have anything to offer, after being a mom for 15 years, just remember you probably would be the most qualified for the job! If you can make it through 15-20 years of being a mom you can make it through anything.
