Who said homemakers are inexperienced? No mom is. Let me explain how.
Disclaimer: For this story the focus is on homemakers of female gender. And parents of female gender (mother). By no means this story is attempting to brush off contributions by a male home maker or by a father. For the purposes of getting across the point, this story is just zooming into the contributions by females in the said roles.
Imagine a 50 year old mother applying for a job (any job where they deem fit) and is called for an interview.
It is a leap to assume that a 50 year old female homemaker maybe called for an interview. A rare case.
As the interview progresses after pleasantries and introductions:
Interviewer 1: Hmm. I see that you hold a dual degree graduation. Comfortable with working on computers and laptops. Been a teacher here and there. But I see that there was only once you had a job continuously for 4 years. Everywhere else you have a few months to two years experience and with extensive gaps in between. Could you please explain your journey?
Mom: Well, after I gave birth to my daughter I had to take time off to care of her upbringing. Then there were times when I had to leave my job because we were shifting houses based on my husband’s job. Then those times when my daughter had her board exams, I had to support her studies. And in one job I was expected to travel a lot and we didn’t have proper family support systems then to accommodate that. Now in my 50s, my daughter is married and my husband I have settled on a routine. And I have the needed time to commit to exercise my professional juices.
Interviewer 1: Hmm. Hmm. I see. ..While I understand your position, from where I sit it seems to me that your experience is scattered. I am doubtful about how committed you will be with this job. And there is this gap of over a decade since your last job. With the current rapid advancements, I am wondering how you can contribute and cope.
Mom: As mentioned in my resume, I take ‘online’ tuitions. So I am well acquainted with the mindsets and workings of both millennials and GenZ. I may need a little training on the workings at the office. But I am confident that I will catch on. Also, I really want this job or any job. I intend to work. I do not want to sit idle at home or grind to the drudgery of household chores.
Interviewer 1: Hmm. Hmm. I hear you. …
Interviewer 2: Also One, I would like to point out a few of her achievements. Obviously her commitment to those she cares. Besides that, clearly she has contributed significantly to the upbringing of an individual who as she said, is a doctor. As mothers they contribute a fair share in mentoring, teaching, training and coaching individuals. And she has shown that success in her daughter. I think it is worth giving her a chance alongside our Learning & Development Team or the HR team.
.
.
Interviewer 2 to Mom: We are like a family here at office. We will support in every way possible to get you acclimatised and feel part of this family as well.
What if!?
What if employers think of homemakers as potential candidates for their organisation?
What if homemakers believe in themselves as those with experience and skills applicable to any organisational management?
Homemakers teach, train and coach their young ones. They shift roles as needed. They may not know the labels. But they apply those strategies. They are accountable for and deliver multiple tasks in a day. And manage multi-stakeholder projects such as event management of rituals and ceremonies, planning for vacations, planning for safety during outings, caring for those in need, etc. Only the contexts of applications vary. The skills and approach overlap.
Most often organisations benefit from ‘T-shaped’ professionals— those with a core skill or knowledge (the vertical) and with the ability to flex between roles(the horizontal). Where the professionals fall short, investing in employment training, learning and development is not new to organisations. If we have to map the skills of a homemaker with scattered to no at-office experience, it could be mapped like this:
Could we work with this? Could we have opportunities drawn out specifically for those with homemaking experience? Could we have educational institutes and learning platforms exclusively looking to upgrade the skills of homemakers and help them get office ready? Could we instil belief in our moms that they do in fact have the relevant experience to work? Could we help our moms assert their experience as they desire and intend to work?
Do you have a homemaker turned professional story to share? Feel free to comment your story. Or join me on Mentza to share and discuss this Sunday:
Sri has started a conversation circle to explore the topic ‘Homemakers turned professionals & practitioners — Pls share your journey’ at 23 May, 06:00 PM IST. #LetsGetTalking https://on.mentza.com/circles/1122
