Here’s me talking to a recruiter
Her: So wow, your background, blah blah blah
Me: Yep, I’ve done some of this, some of that, yadda yadda
Her: It looks like your last professional experience was in 2006, is that correct?
Me: Yes. I’ve volunteered to be a consultant to non-profits since then, but yes.
Her: That was the date of your last employment? In 2006?
Me: Yes.
Her: What have you been up to?
Me: Doing a lot of writing, I write.
Her: Oh really? What kind of writing?
Me: A novel.
Her: Oh! So someday I can say I knew you when…
Me: Ha! Perhaps in ten years or so.
Her: Other than that, no employment? And you are just looking for part-time?
Me: Right. I’ve been focusing on my art and writing since my last job in 2006 (at that national organization for parents and children that has no support in place for parents and children). I’m just looking to keep my skills fresh and earn a little money using my experience. I’m not looking to be a superstar; I’m not that kind of placement for you (she’ll make $ off of placing me, you see). My resume and education are excellent. Anything your clients need, I can provide. Most projects get larger in scope than anticipated. I am the perfect extra pair of hands. I can certainly be on-site to meet the client and as needed for meetings, but I am primarily a teleworker.
Her: (after asking me some ridiculously basic professional questions to try to show that she really understands the tenets of the field I’m in and she wants to make sure I do, too) Okay! So can we meet soon? Can you show me some of your project samples?
Me: I’d be happy to.
aaaaaand scene.
Why didn’t I tell her the reasons for my last paid employment ending in September 2006? Because it’s none of her business.
I know if I tell her I have a small child at home, she will think I equate teleworking with free childcare on the clock. Anyone who has ever teleworked long-term knows you must regularly prove you are working five times harder than anyone back at the office. You cannot do so and look after another human being at the same time. You need to hire help. I know that. I don’t need to expend energy convincing her that I know that. Give me the work. If I do it well, keep me. If not, fire me. Don’t require face time just to make sure I’m not playing SIMs all day long. My work output will be enough to make that determination.
I feel a little lame, actually. Why do I not have my act together enough to create my own work? The thought of being an independent educational contractor exhausts me and I have yet to be disciplined enough to really apply myself to writing. I have been making excuses, excuses, excuses in my head. I am now essentially saying to someone: tell me what to do because I haven’t figured it out for myself yet.
I’ve got to hand it to her. I’ve got no car to get to her farflung suburban office, I’ve given no explanation for why I left my prior job, and I told her that I am only interested in a part-time telework placement, but she is still coming into the city to meet me. Maybe she’s hearing what I’m not saying…
May 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I’ve opted for tell the truth about my mothering situation and I’ve had not that great of success with it. You’re right. They don’t think you can be responsible for another person and do work. But, the worst part of the corporate job for 40-50 hours was knowing you were surfing the net wasting time bored off your ass while the kid was in daycare.
May 9, 2008 at 9:07 am
It’s good to have you back!
Are you interested in freelance editorial work? I work for a big educational publisher and the least I can do is get you into our freelance database…and perhaps get you some actual work/your info into the right hands. Contact me if you’re interested…
May 9, 2008 at 10:12 am
Westwardbound, HELL YES. Thank you.
And Ms. Sioux, I so get what you are saying, but in my situation I see it more as an unnecessary disclosure than I do honesty. I don’t plan to tell her that my husband is a chef at a big property, either; people make assumptions about the $ he makes based on the stars of the Food Channel, which is completely out of proportion to what regular chefs go through financially. I don’t want anyone making assumptions about the impact of my mothering or my marriage on my work requirements and expected salary.
I have a non-mom friend who was recently told that in order to get the job she is striving toward, she should purposefully demote herself into a lesser role on a different team and gain broader experience; the rationale from her boss was that since her husband is a business consultant, it doesn’t matter if she takes a drastic paycut. Would anyone dare to say that to a fella? Doubtful. Until female profiling in the workplace diminishes, I just don’t see my personal life as anybody’s business, you know?