“Plays well with others” isn’t just a checkmark box on preschool report cards. It’s a checkmark box in adult and professional settings as well! If you can’t work on a team to collaborate towards achieving a shared goal, you aren’t going to make the cut in today’s workplace environment. Even when working remotely, employers are expecting exceptional teamwork skills from everyone to maximize efficiency, land the client, and get the job done.
If you are looking to return to work after a career pause, or transfer your career direction entirely, it can be deflating to keep up with other applicants with strong, gap-free resumes. A gap in professional work experience does not have to throw a warning flag at the hiring manager, especially for moms! With the right perspective and confidence, you are the perfect candidate for the job you are applying for. It’s all about knowing how to showcase your transferable mom skills! And teamwork is at the top of the list of skills where moms excel.
What Does Teamwork Look Like For Moms?
Even stay-at-home moms are raising children with other people and they all have to work together in the best interest of the child. Take these examples:
The mom who drops her child off at daycare is working with a team with the daycare worker to transfer childcare responsibilities during their time at the facility.
The mom who puts her children on the school bus in the morning is working together with the driver to get her kids to school safely and on-time.
The mom who arranges for grandma and grandpa to watch the kids for a date night is ensuring that she gets a break to practice self care and invest in an adult relationship.
The mom who participates in a mommy and me playgroups is showing her child the benefit of community and social interaction by inviting others into the child’s learning experience.
The mom who delegates household responsibilities to a spouse or partner is enlisting the skills of others to keep the house running smoothly.
The mom who struggles with breastfeeding works together with a lactation consultant to find the best techniques and make a plan for successfully feeding her baby.
The mom who takes her child to the pediatrician brainstorms solutions to behavioral problems and puts together a plan to reach developmental milestones.
The takeaway is this: if your child is cared for by anyone else other than yourself (nanny, babysitter, daycare teacher, school teacher, spouse, partner, grandparent) you are mastering the mom transferable skill of teamwork. And guess what? That is each and every single one of us.
How To Professionally Showcase Teamwork As A Transferable Skill
Each of the scenarios above (and there are dozens, if not hundreds more!) are examples of how moms utilize teamwork to run a household and raise children. It involves delegating, enlisting, collaborating, strategy, clarity of communication, accepting responsibility, and taking action.
Here are a few examples of how you can showcase this in a resume or cover letter:
Works in concert with others to maximize efficiency in reaching a shared goal
Juggle changing schedules to ensure each team member is accommodated
Creates and implements team strategy to effectively meet deadlines and budgets
Manages a team of contractors to ensure project completion
Continually invests in ongoing education and personal growth
Again, this is only the tip of a very large iceberg. Take a few moments this week to consider all the ways you are learning, practicing, and excelling at teamwork in your household. Then, brainstorm ways you can directly relate that to a job description you have your eye on. At Parents Pivot, we are here to help you craft the perfect portfolio to help you land a job after a career pause. Contact us today if you’d like to invest in yourself and learn how to put mom transferable skills to work for you!
Other Mom Transferable Skills
Teamwork is just one of many transferable mom skills. When preparing your resume, cover letter, and interview talking points, consider other mom skills, such as relationships building, research and problem solving,adaptability and agility, strategic thinking, communication, motivation, and organization. For even more mom skills that transfer to the workplace, click here.
