Why Being a Mum Actually Improves Your CV

So many women I speak to almost write off their maternity leave. Actually, maternity leave offers a unique opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that are highly transferable to a professional setting.

Here are some key skills gained during maternity leave that can be valuable in a career:

• Time Management and Prioritisation
  Managing time effectively with a newborn requires exceptional prioritisation, as mothers must juggle multiple tasks such as feeding, sleeping schedules, and home life commitments.

  • Career Application: Enhances ability to manage tight deadlines, multitask, and focus on what is most critical in the workplace.

• Adaptability and Problem-Solving
  Babies are unpredictable, and new mothers must constantly adapt to changing circumstances, solve problems on the fly, and manage unexpected situations.

  • Career Application: Crucial in fast-paced environments where flexibility and creative problem-solving are essential.

• Emotional Intelligence
  Understanding and managing emotions, especially in stressful situations, develops high emotional intelligence.

  • Career Application: Empathy, patience, and navigating interpersonal dynamics are valuable for leadership and customer relations.

• Communication Skills
  Attuning to non-verbal cues and communicating effectively with a pre-verbal baby builds strong communication abilities.

  • Career Application: Improves active listening, clearer communication, and empathy in the workplace.

• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
  Negotiating with toddlers or soothing a crying baby hones negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

  • Career Application: Directly useful for resolving workplace conflicts, negotiating deals, and mediating between people.

• Resilience and Stress Management
  Coping with exhaustion, stress, and sleep deprivation builds resilience.

  • Career Application: Helps manage workplace stress, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain positivity.

• Financial Management
  Running a household budget on reduced income sharpens financial management skills.

  • Career Application: Improves budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation abilities.

• Long-Term Planning
  Planning for a child’s future builds strategic foresight and forward planning.

  • Career Application: Valuable in leadership and business development roles.

Summary:
Maternity leave can significantly enhance a woman’s skills in time management, adaptability, communication, emotional intelligence, and more — all beneficial in career growth. This time should not be hidden as a “gap” in a CV, but celebrated as a period of growth that makes women more adaptable, pragmatic, and resilient leaders.

For more help in resetting your narrative and building confidence in rejoining the workforce

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