Being a Mom + Outside World = Success (I Hope!)

While on a job interview the other day, I realized how calm I am under pressure. The mom background which really helped me:

How easy is to change a baby’s poop diaper, while putting a shirt on a toddler, while both are screaming, and one is asking for water and the other wants a bottle? Then, one is handing you a book they want to read while the other is crawling over you for attention and then the toddler is asking to go bye-bye but asking you to hold a blanket all while you are getting the baby into her car seat? Sound confusing? It’s called multi-tasking 24/7. I have learned to be an expert. And if I cannot take care of what seems to be an immediate need immediately, it is taken care of as quickly as possible. All of this doesn’t even phase me anymore…I can do it in my sleep. Wait, sometimes I do that!

So, what happened at my interview, you ask?

I was meeting with a very high level executive who only had about 15 minutes to spend with me. Upon going into his office, I set down my cup, my briefcase and my jacket all while making small talk. I got out my folder to take notes when I realized I opened it up the wrong way and a zillion fly away papers fell out. This person didn’t seem to notice. So, this person was talking and I was continuing to respond, all the while trying to look gracious while picking up my mess. He still didn’t seem to notice. And then, he said he did not have a copy of my resume, and there, sitting in the pile that I was picking up was a vision of my resume. Out of my mouth came the words, “well, I happen to have one right here for you.” I swooped it up, and placed it right in front of him. He looked at me, smiled, and said “you seem to be on top of things.” And then without a hitch, I jumped in and gave him an overview of my background. He seemed impressed, and I was just thinking, “Oh, if you only knew what kind of life I lead….”

Seriously, I am not too sure I would have handled that situation the same if I didn’t have the mom background. I think I just would have been overly embarrassed, quite possibly have turned red, and want to high tail it out of there with my tail between my legs. Those days are long gone.