After my stint on the “off ramp” I needed to update my resume. I checked online to see how other moms handled this challenge and found a few jokes (like Mother Cover Letter and Resume on the Mommatude blog). The laugh did me good, but I could not shake the feeling that I had legitimately developed new and useful skills as a mom – skills that would make me a better employee.
In my corporate life, I worked in a small department of a large consulting firm. My job title was Knowledge Specialist. When colleagues searched for jobs outside our firm, they often encountered roadblocks with jobs of a different title, even if the responsibilities were the same. One who found a job quickly changed the title on her resume to “Project Manager”. She did not change any of the supporting details, but HR departments responded because they could relate. I think of Mother like a Project Manager. It could mean anything – carry a lot or a little responsibility depending on the family and the ambition of the individual. And all you Project Managers out there, what do you do all day anyway?
Likewise, as a hiring manager within the department, we rarely found someone with exact qualifications. In a resume, we looked for someone who was smart, could solve problems to get results, and could work well in a team. How they got there was less important than whether they got there.
And so, without apology, my “real” resume as a Mother.
WORK EXPERIENCE
SULLIVAN FAMILY ENTERPRISE, 12/06 to present, Boston, MA
Partner, Co-Founder
- Establish overall strategy, mission and guiding principles. Set objectives, timelines and metrics for internal projects.
- Oversee $xxK budget. Reduced annual operating costs by 10% through contract consolidation, new vendor selection and streamlined procurement.
- Create and implement broad training program, intended to improve intellectual, physical and emotional capabilities of audience. Heavy emphasis on fundamentals and communication training.
- Manage operations including outsourcing decisions, procurement, facilities management and scheduling. Requires strong ability to prioritize and multi-task.
- Participate in social media in job sector, including blog at www.thespecificsplease.com and Twitter @ChiefExecMom
BAIN & COMPANY, 5/00 to 12/07, Boston, MA
Senior Knowledge Specialist Team Leader
- Supported global and regional Consumer Products and Retail Practice Areas by helping to create and implement annual plan, identify and collect key client insights, report revenue, track potential client pipeline, and plan and coordinate experience-sharing meetings.
- Managed Industry Knowledge Specialists across the United States, Europe, and India, offering guidance on daily activities and ensuring all learned from one anothers’ successes.
- Contributed to the evolution of the Knowledge Management function from its inception, including overall strategic design, organizational structure, and internal and external metrics creation.
- Facilitated knowledge sharing across 27 offices through the maintenance of an online knowledge portal and constant, search engine optimization (SEO), and effective communication with consultants at all levels.
- Managed communications for Community Works, a local program created to inform and engage employees in community service.
GLOBAL PARTNERS, INC., 8/99 to 5/00, Boston, MA
Associate Editor
- Developed and edited corporate training material for top-level executives of Fortune 500 companies, requiring the coordination of multiple client and internal deadlines.
- Wrote original case material to elucidate key lessons in training programs.
- Facilitated 3-5 day training programs for multinational audiences.
GAELIC ROOTS SUMMER SCHOOL, Boston College, 10/97 to 7/99, Boston, MA
Assistant Director
- Coordinated and organized a week-long event for 300 students and 25 international visiting faculty, requiring flexibility in a fast-paced environment, public speaking skills, and attention to detail.
- Resolved a wide variety of issues and concerns from diverse audiences.
- Wrote promotional and marketing material to increase public awareness and provide information for potential students.
- Designed and maintained web site.
- Volunteered 2000 to 2003 (program end).
BOSTON COLLEGE, 9/98 to 5/99, Chestnut Hill, MA
Teaching Fellow
- Instructed First-Year Writing Seminar course for a class of 15 students.
- Worked one-on-one with students to enhance writing development and editing skills.
- Facilitated peer editing sessions in the classroom and through online forums.
- Designed and implemented an innovative course curriculum for computerized classrooms.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- M.A., English Literature, Boston College 1999
- B.A., English Literature, The Ohio State University 1995
- Managing Virtual Teams, Learning Tree, November 2005
- New Manager Training, Boston University Corporate Education Center, July 2004
SKILLS & INTERESTS
- Proficiency in Windows XP, Microsoft Office suite, OpenOffice, and Internet applications.
- Knowledge of WordPress, Blogger, Facebook fan pages, Twitter
- Project Leader with Boston Cares volunteer organization (member since 2001).