Women in Design

2nd December, 2009 by Elizabeth Toševski

Hi All,

I just want to gather some general feedback with my current situation...

I'm a GD with a B.Des and 6+ years professional experience in Ad agencies, Design Studios and Publishing Houses. I am also a mum to a beautiful little boy. I returned to work after 8 or so months of mat. leave and a few months after that finally decided to leave my uninspiring job that wasn't going places.

On my CV, I have the words "status: married / mum to an 18 month old" (well heck, I've listed things I like, so it seemed inadequate to leave this part out)... my quest for finding work has been rather tough lately and have had some responses which initiate that as I have such a young son (and maybe as I am likely to have more children soon) I might be a disadvantage or have a negative impact of some kind, regardless of my talent or skills.

I understand that the industry is tough at this time with employers playing it safe. I also understand that there are plenty of hungry and talented creatives out there also looking for work and the fact that in general, design is a very tough field in terms of job vs seeker ratios.

Which leaves me to ask... Is the future as bright for women designers (especially who are looking for a new job) with either young kids in tow or at a stage when they're feeling maternal? Also, if I leave this part of info out of my CV, would my chances of landing an interview or job be any higher?

I'd love to hear some honest feedback!

Thanks!

Liz ~:-)

View comments

Definitely take it out. You have nothing to hide but people will judge your abilities unfairly no matter what. it's best for them to see how skilled and talented you are first and then the "has a child" part will seem less daunting daunting to them.
Posted by Dora Storch-Holland on 3rd December 2009

Yep, just as I had suspected! THANKS Dora, I really appreciate your piece of advice.

I have always been inclined to believe that this profession especially consisted of open-minded and "thinking outside the box" kind of people.....
Posted by Elizabeth Tosevski on 3rd December 2009

A great friend of mine was a senior creative when she became pregnant two years ago. She subsequently went on maternity leave for 12 months and apon her return was "let go" and paid 3 months salary for her trouble, she was told that while she was on leave they had filled her position. It became difficult for her to find another role, she believed it was because employers thought she would want more children so weren't willing to hire her.

She has resigned herself to being a freelancer now. We'd all like to think that our employers have our best interests at heart but the bottom line is – their bottom line...
Posted by Suzan Freeman on 9th December 2009

I also say leave it out, but only for perceptual reasons: it's a work resumé, just present the facts from a work perspective. I don't see a place for relationship status or parental status there, they should have no bearing on your design ability.
By putting something so home-oriented into your work resumé, you could be indicating more than you are intending to..


Posted by Becky Green on 9th December 2009

Yes don't go there at all. With so many applicants for design jobs these days, the employer can and will make a decision to exclude you based on your marital status, gender, race or age. It's a fact of life. Take it from me as a 44 yr old graduate male designer, married with 2 children. Yes I've died my hair, refitted my wardrobe, lost excess kilos and with my wife's permission, removed my wedding ring! I live in hope.
Posted by Chris Tysoe on 9th December 2009