So this one consultant called me about a job I'd applied for. I had relevant past experience and it's the kind of profile I'd find interesting and do justice to. The call went off rather well till such time we reached the bit about my gap from work. Without even questioning the break, she seemed to make up her mind and gave me the good old "will call you if we shortlist you" line.
It really upset me for a while. I wish I could have told her that my break was deliberate and intentional. That the 8 year break was spent raising my two boys. Not wasted. Not unproductive. Definitely not unrewarding! That my skills and work experience from before were not redundant and I'd not lost my ability to manage, learn and get work done! It riles me up to no end to see how homemakers, housewives, stay at home moms are looked upon...no let me rephrase that...looked down on.
I'd like to understand why it's such an issue really? Women have babies is but obvious. Women are free to exercise their choice to take a break, to start and raise a family. Why even question the break?
In fact, once they decide to return to work, it would be a well thought out decision right? Wouldn't you rather hire someone who is now less likely to go on a long pregnancy leave or quit a work place for a maternity leave and then extend it to a long break? I'm done with all that. Wouldn't it make more sense to hire someone like me? Knowing I am not going to ditch work to go get married, go have a baby. I've done that drill.
It's a question I know I will keep encountering in every interview. I just wish the question wasn't met with an instant negative reaction. The question warrants an answer at least. Give me the chance to voice myself. That's the least someone capable enough to hire and select should do.
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