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I was in the final stages of an interview with Microsoft two weeks ago, in partner marketing. Then the recruiter told me they were putting the hiring process on hold to assess the need for the role. Well, then we heard about Microsoft layoffs last week. Seems like most were in Xbox and Project Alpha but there’s not a lot of information out there. Should I hold out any hope that I’m going to get this job? Any insights on how much these layoffs have impacted the marketing org and/or new hiring?
Tech startup or big tech company? And why?
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Gaps can stand out so it isn’t really surprising someone asks. But if the conversation is any longer than “please explain the gap” “I was on maternity.” “Oh ok” then that would be out of the norm. As a working mom myself, we’re expected to parent like we don’t have a job and work like we don’t have kids. Both are a full-time job.
I agree I am really anxious about giving my 100% both sides. I have also found a daycare spot for my baby but my heart breaks because she is only 8 months
People will judge the gap if it is for maternity, not so much that they don't understand it, but more that they are worried you will be pulled in two directions when you come back, having a young baby at home. In truth, you will be pulled in two directions, it's unavoidable. If it were me, I would be 100% transparent and proud. The right employer FOR YOU will not care, maybe they will have a culture that celebrates work life balance, which is going to be what you need. An employer who is already worried about what time you may take off in the future and where your priorities lie is not one you want to work for. It will inevitably cause problems. Be yourself, be unapolagetic, and let the jobs that match your energy come to you. Good luck Mama!
Treat the questions with the silliness they deserve. As a working mom, I've learned that you have to sometimes laugh off the outdated notion that mothers are somehow a liability. Even seem confused about the question, if you need to.
agree! job market is tough I wonder if Ill be even short listed
It's not just the maternity break, it's having a new baby that requires your attention that causes their concern. I've been through this myself. My advice would be to not mention maternity leave or your baby at all. They can learn that after you're hired. Don't elaborate on details. Simply say that you took a refresher break and are ready to jump back in fully, and are looking forward to doing what you do best. You could also say you wanted to take your time to find a job that best suited your skill set. Don't mention anything that has to do with maternity or babies, especially in this job market where so many people are seeking work. Best of luck to you!
I agree!! i was an independent contractor for large retail clients. They immediate terminated my contract once I got back (they did not mention this at all while I was leaving)
How long was your maternity leave? If it was only a few months, I wouldn’t think it’s a big deal. Worst case scenario you might just have to take a step back and take a more entry-level role for now while you look for something more at your level.
it was for 12 months, took me a long time to start teams call lol
I was in your shoes about six years ago. I stepped away after having kids for about 10 years, so huge gap. I'll say I feel my pathway back was more luck than anything I did specifically. I applied to a contractor job not knowing that I had previously worked with someone on the team and had worked at the same company at the same time with the hiring manager. Look for connections between your previous work and people you can reach out to. I was able to go back to work and make way more money than I was making before without having to step back to gain re-entry. I also took leadership role at PTA for my kids' school to have leadership and comms experience while I was out. You can do this: reach out to previous colleagues, don't over explain the gap, talk to any projects or volunteer work etc that you did in the gap, be open to project or fractional work as well. Good luck!
Questions about workload usually centre around reliability, time commitment or flexibility. But how they’re asked matters. Companies that push hardest on this tend to struggle with flexibility later.
You don’t need to convince everyone — just one aligned employer. And remember, you’re assessing them too.
Motherhood is a high-stakes environment — and it builds real, transferable skills.
When asked about a career gap, try this:
“If I may, could I understand what specifically you’re hoping to assess in relation to the role?”
Wait to hear their response before answering:
I stayed intentional during my time away and am fully prepared to take on the responsibilities. I’m happy to share how I’ve strengthened my ability to prioritise, manage time and adapt — all directly relevant to the role.
Why this works:
– No apology for the gap
– Brings focus back to the role
– Signals readiness and maturity
Go get em!!
As the CEO and co-owner of a business that has a lot of working moms, I would hope that whether or not you can do the job with a new baby is not the concern.
If anything, I would assure the interviewer that you have a functional workspace, great child care, and the commitment to get the job done.
Lot's of people have kids - probably including the interviewer. They just want to make sure that you're able to do both work and family.
Most hiring managers are just trying to understand a resume gap, not dig into your personal life. When employers see gaps on a resume, it’s pretty normal for them to ask about it.
Have you considered putting maternity leave on your resume so it’s already out in the open? That kind of transparency can remove the mystery and save you from having to explain it repeatedly.
CM if someone is on maternity leave while employed it’s simply part of their tenure, that's a given and this wouldn't be an issue for OP-- its clear they have a larger gap between employment which is raising questions.
What’s concerning is your suggestions that parental or caregiver gaps should be hidden... it's very much perpetuating the problem. If resumes are marketing docs, being transparent about that shows confidence and clarity. Telling people to omit it confirms that the bias is still very much out there.