When I was pregnant, so many people asked if I was going to become a full-time mom. “Just be a mom for a few years and then you can go back to work when they’re in school” was one of the things I heard the most. But becoming a full-time mom was never in the cards for me. I know myself, and I know that spending that much time alone at home with a baby wouldn’t be good for me mentally. But for many women that’s exactly what happens. You give up your career to become a full-time mom, and you take on the immense workload and responsibility that comes with that.

And then there’s what society thinks you do all day – lounging around in your PJs and sipping on rosé. I can’t roll my eyes hard enough when I hear people say stuff like “she has such an easy life” or “she’s just a mom.” Let’s be straight here: there’s no such thing as “just a mom.”

But it’s also not easy for the moms re-entering the workforce after years of being home full-time. Getting used to a brand new schedule, preparing your kids for it, and finding a job that’s accommodating is no easy task. Cindy Marie Jenkins, our Deputy Managing Editor, recently shared her experience on returning back to work full-time.

So, first things first: How do you nail that interview?

Our HR Director, Siyu He, shares her professional insights on some common concerns. Siyu herself took two years off from work to be a full-time mom after her twins were born and returned to True Run Media about a year ago.

One of the things that I hear a lot from full-time moms is what they used to be. “I’m Allie’s mom, but I used to be Marketing Director for *insert company name*.” Personally, I think that it’s unnecessary for a woman to justify her intelligence by talking about her previous job, but does HR agree with me? “As an HR person, I’m interested in all the previous experiences of a candidate,” says Siyu. “I need to know their past behavior to predict their future performance. Because everyone has their own pattern in their career life, previous experience can give enough leads about that.” So, yes, moms! Your life from before your kids matters!

What about talking about mom life like it’s a full-time job (which it totally is)? “In my opinion, I really don’t think [being a]full-time mom is a job,” says Siyu. “I know the whole world is telling us how meaningful it is to be a full-time mom, and we should consider it as [the]same as other jobs. But the reality is not like that. You nearly make every decision by yourself, you work with your family, whom you are very familiar with, which means you are only responsible to your family, not clients or colleagues, you cannot be fired or quit, and you don’t get paid. All of this will influence your intentions unconsciously.” Siyu suggests that you do not introduce your full-time mom life as one of your “working” experiences. “Treat it like what it is. It’s not your job, it’s your life. You are doing what a mom should do.”

So if a full-time mom talks about how difficult parenting is, and what an amazing job she did with her family, it’s not a good thing? “It depends,” says Siyu. “I suggest neither talking too much about that nor ignoring it. Treat it normally. It is a very difficult but amazing experience to have, but you shouldn’t expect others’ empathy. Not all the interviewers are parents who can relate.”

But there are so many “mom skills” that will come in handy at work. According to Siyu, multitasking and decision-making are skills that come with being a mom. In addition, being a mom makes you detail-oriented, able to coordinate, super organized, etc. – all of which are key qualities required for both senior positions and supporting roles.

And when it comes to jobs, there are certain industries that are more welcoming to a woman who needs to balance family, parenting, and a career. According to Siyu, flexibility is the top priority to consider when you want to return to work, especially when your child is under three years old because you cannot always guarantee a calm and normal day. Anything could happen, and you will want to be able to work with (or around) disruptions or alterations to your routine. So flexible job positions such as editor, freelancer, consultant, accountant, HR representative, etc. are all good choices.

The number one thing that every HR representative can tell you is that they don’t like candidates who leave without asking questions. At the end of every interview, you’ll be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” Don’t ever say “no, I’m good” and just leave. That’s a definite way to fast-track yourself onto the “no” pile.

Important Reminders for Your Interview

What HR wants to know (and what you should try to work into conversation so they aren’t left with questions):

• Why you decided to return to work. (Do not say “I just want something to do.” A specific career goal is necessary for every candidate.)
• Why you’re looking to make some changes in your current life.
• What the advantages are of hiring you as opposed to other candidates who don’t have a child.
• How your family is going to support you.
• How you will balance your life.

 

Questions you need to ask during the interview:

• What are the working hours, weekends, holidays, annual leave provisions, etc.?
• What kind of health insurance plan is there for you and your child? Don’t assume you can ask this question later when you get the offer letter. Ask it during the interview.
• What’s the company culture like? If they say, “we’re like a family here,” you can ask for examples.
• Can you work from home?

 

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Images: Pexels

History is filled with lost stories and unlauded achievements. All too often those untold stories belong to women, minorities, and those who are economically disadvantaged. But that doesn’t mean those contributions didn’t happen. In fact, fairly often those unnoticed events have huge ripple effects on economies, cultures, and social welfare. So in honor of women’s history month, we sought out four women in Chinese history whose stories are relatively unknown. Each of the next four Throwback Thursdays will be devoted to giving them a small measure of very belated credit. And because we build on the foundation these women laid we are going to institute Future Fridays. We will feature an amazing member of the Beijing community who is building on the work of the past and making her own contribution to the world and history right here in our neighborhood. We hope you enjoy these glimpses into these forgotten stories and they inspire you to do your own research into worthy but unrecognized historical figures and maybe drive you to make a little history of your own!

This week we take a moment to explore artist Chen Shu (陳書), a modern woman in an ancient time.

Chen Shu was a remarkable person who helped birth the Xiushui school of painting that is so widely admired and respected around the world. Her works of art hang in prestigious galleries including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Palace Museum in Taipei. She is sought after by private collectors and commands high prices at Christie’s Auction house but remarkably little is known about her life. Most of the sources I could find are single sentences in biographies of other famous men of her time. Let’s see if we can’t piece those bits together and give her work and contributions a little more credit.

Born in 1660 to a literati family she self-studied art, embroidery, and classical poetry under her parents. As was common for young ladies of her time she married young, but her husband passed on leaving her with a son to raise and a household to support. She turned to her skills as a painter and teacher. During the day she would educate other young women in the skills she had learned from her parents and at night she would paint. The next morning she would send her work to the market over 10 kilometers away for resale and start the entire process over again. She was the original working mom and not unlike today she-roes she was unappreciated.

Neither her art nor her work as a teacher made her famous or wealthy. Like many women of her era, she would succeed through her son, Qian Chenqun. Thanks to her efforts in providing for the family he was able to study and rise to prominence within the Imperial Court. He presented some of Chen’s work to the Emperor who became an avid admirer of her work and added her art to the Imperial collection.

Because of her gender and lack of official training she was never acknowledged as a master painter but almost 300 years after her death her work survives and the style of art she helped to create and proliferate is iconic.

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Image: Chinese Social Sciences Today

March is Women’s Month, the annually observed month where we celebrate women’s contributions throughout history. The actual celebration of Women’s History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history, and the society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa. A few years later the idea caught on in other communities and in 1980 US President Jimmy Carter declared March 8 as National Women’s History Week.

Each year all around the world people have been celebrating women’s strength and contribution to society. Annoyingly, over the years some have turned Women’s Day into a marketing gimmick with bars pushing buy-one-get-one-free pink cocktails and shops promoting Women’s Day discounts. What message is that sending? Thanks for your contribution to society, here are some discounts because all women like cheap pink cocktails and shopping…? Um… pass!

In the past, I’ve worked for companies where HR left a rose on our desks on Women’s Day. Thanks for the sweet thought HR, but I’d much rather have equal pay and a work environment without sexist comments or harassment instead. But the flower is a nice touch…

This year, before I get annoyed by the sexist Women’s Day promos around town, there’s one that I can really get behind. Something that’s sending the right message.

Mommy & Me dance fitness, women’s self-defense, women’s strength, and Jindafit. Three She-EOs have organized four fitness workshops where all the money raised goes to help a good cause. All the proceeds raised from this month’s fitness events is donated to Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC).

Their mission is to empower women in rural regions of Western China to escape the cycle of poverty through education. EGRC has three primary goals: Sponsor female students from rural regions with their four year undergraduate studies in Chinese universities; sponsor female high school (grade 10 to 12) students with their three year studies in rural region high schools; and assist EGRC-sponsored students with BA diplomas to enroll in post graduate programs offered by Canadian universities. EGRC’s girls have a 100 percent graduation rate, with two of their top graduates having gone on to Tsinghua University and Manitoba University in Canada, respectively.

To book any of the fitness workshops, scan the QR code on the poster and speak directly with a bilingual reservation person from Warrior One who’ll help you book your spot for the workshop. To learn more about EGRC visit their website at www.egrc.ca.

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Images: Pexels, courtesy of the organizer

The Women Empowerment Awards in China were created by the Women’s Advisory Council, which was initiated by SCHS Asia and AmCham China. The awards seek to recognize trailblazing individuals and innovative companies that have demonstrated a robust commitment to promoting women in the workforce in order to encourage greater gender equality and drive stronger business outcomes in China. The winners for the awards will be announced at the 2021 Women’s Economy Summit in April, so make sure to nominate the person or company of your choice that you think has done the best job empowering women in workspaces!

To learn more about the cause, Ms. Su Cheng, the founder, and CEO of SCHSAsia was able to take time from her busy schedule to allow me to interview her.

Beijingkids (BJK): Firstly, could you briefly introduce yourself?

Sue Cheng (SC): I am the Founder and CEO of SCHSAsia with over 25 years of experience in China. I have served on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) for a number of years, and I am the co-chair of Women Professional Committee of AmCham.

I have been actively involved in the Beijing business community, managing projects and serving the needs for a number of destinations, not-for-profit organizations, community organizations, and bilateral associations in the areas of strategic consulting, event management, fundraising, public and media relations, promotion and marketing.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I was engaged in the corporate arena and held management positions at The Boeing Company, United Technologies Corporation, and The Capital Club in Beijing.

BJK: Could you briefly explain what SCHSAsia does and what you do in your position as the company’s head?

SC: Officially launched in 2009, SCHSAsia is a consulting company focused on consulting on Diversity and Inclusion with a focus on Empowering Women. In addition, we support companies on their special projects in the area of education and philanthropy. SCHSAsia has served the needs of destinations, not-for-profit organizations, community organizations, and bilateral associations.

We pride ourselves on our ability to provide clients with specific, individually tailored management solutions. We also believe in being socially responsible in making a positive impact in our community via supporting many non-profit organizations.

BJK: Could you please clarify the relationship between SCHSAsia and the Woman’s Advisory Council?

SC: The Women’s Advisory Council was initiated by SCHS Asia and AmCham China in 2019. Our current members are: BP, Chayora, Coca Cola, Dow, ExxonMobil, HPE, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Mars, Microsoft, and SCHS Asia.

This advisory council aims to support women in the workplace as well as women entrepreneurs to grow both personally and professionally. We bring together a dedicated group of powerful women and men to support and sponsor the growth and sustainability of women leaders and women entrepreneurs.

BJK: What drove you to decide to participate in/initiate the Women Empowerment Awards in China?

SC: I have worked on empowering women with AmCham for many years. As a board member, I deeply believe that it’s important that women’s voices are at the table and heard.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were more negatively impacted than men. Studies have shown that the pandemic has burdened women with more responsibilities including childcare and household chores, while some of them working from home.

However, in times of crisis, we may not focus our attention on the trend that women are more negatively impacted. This is why we want to bring more awareness about how companies and individuals are supporting the efforts of empowering women. And more importantly, we want to ensure that this work continues and more resources are put in place to support women to succeed both personally and professionally.

BJK: Please briefly explain the nomination system and criteria to someone that has had little to no knowledge on the topic of Women Empowerment Awards in China.

SC: The purpose of these awards is to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion in businesses in China and to celebrate those that are taking the lead. The Awards were launched at the 2020 Women’s Economy Summit, which is the largest gathering of women leaders in the AmCham China community, Its mission is to raise awareness of the key role women play in global economic development.

The Women Empowerment Awards in China are divided into three individual awards and three company awards. Both women and men, and multinational companies and small and medium enterprises are eligible for nominations.

To learn more about the criteria and different awards, check out their blog dedicated to introducing the different awards.

BJK: Is there a criterion for people that can nominate someone else? More specifically, I’d like to know the age range for selecting someone!

SC: You can nominate anyone, including yourself, for the individual category awards, as long as they are part of a business or organization that has a local office in China. As for the age limit, there are no age requirements for the awards “Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year” and “Male Ally of the Year”. As for the “Innovative Young Woman Leader of the Year” Award, we are recognizing young women leaders who are under 35 and advocate for gender equality. They aspire to and have the potential to be future senior leaders.

BJK: What do you think is the best way for our readers to take action to support women and feminism?

SC: The key is to be aware of our own stereotypes and biases towards women and men. We need to be aware of what we are teaching our children and have conversations about gender stereotypes and biases. Both men and women should help and support each other. We need male allies and women leaders that are positive action-oriented role models to encourage girls and young professional women to continue to strive for their dreams of becoming leaders in our companies and communities!

I believe we all know someone, both men and women, who are walking their talk in supporting women empowerment, so I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to nominate that person for the Women Empowerment Awards in China, this is one small step everyone can take to help keep women at the table and their voice heard!

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Images: Unsplash, AmCham website

Interesting events happen every day, every hour in the bustling city of Beijing, and not even our staff can cover it all! While we were busy with families and schools at last weekend’s JISE, local writers and professionals Dr. R.M. Clarken and O.C. Tennant attended the Nu Women Empowerment Summit. We asked them to share their experiences.

Dr. R.M. Clarken

Saturday was an unexpected day of inspiration at the Nu Women Empowerment Summit at the trendy Hotel Jen in the CBD. From the first invitation, I knew that this would not be a typical business meeting for professional women, as the formal program stressed the need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to fully participate in the afternoon activities. This particular detail piqued my interest and ensured my attendance.

When I arrived on Saturday morning, I was met by a small group of about 50 women gathered in an open conference hall that was filled half with chairs and the rest with yoga mats. Before starting the program, we mingled while sipping cappuccinos and watermelon juice and nibbling on snacks. After a meet and greet, we sat down to listen to the exceptional speakers, whose experience in China ranged from a few years to several decades. With so much wisdom to share, the presentations could have gone on and on, but instead, each woman spoke from the heart for only 15 minutes, sharing a great deal in a short period of time. This quick-paced outpouring invigorated the audience and gave us much to think about and talk about over lunch.

The afternoon was a marvelously choreographed assortment of activities to move us out of our heads and into embracing and empowering our bodies. With mini sessions in yoga, meditation, and improv, our small band of women bonded as we stretched our physical, emotional, and mental muscles. The afternoon wound down with a few more delightful speakers, music, and socialization. All in all, it was a surprising break from the locked-down experiences that typify 2020. I will definitely be in attendance at the next event.

Dr. Clarken has worked in education for more than 15 years and is currently a principal in Beijing. She first came to China 25 years ago as a high school student and later returned to Sichuan as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer. For the last eight years, she has been living and working in Beijing with her husband.

O.C. Tennant

As I scanned through the faces in the WeChat group the night before the Summit, I remember feeling like I was in a safe space with people who, although unique and different from me, were similar in the area I value most: having a true desire to better themselves and others. Now, mere days after the summit, I have fulfilled my hope of making new friends while also connecting more closely with old ones and, most importantly, connecting deeper to myself.

The thing that set this summit apart from other conferences and women events I’ve attended is that it addressed all aspects of who I am as a person. Sabina Brady’s “Tackling Systemic Issues Head-on” stimulated me as a professional and academic. However, Enoch Li’s transparent testimony of her battle with chronic depression in “Playing Your Way Back to Mental Health” helped me remember to never stop having fun.

The organizers did not just stop at educating us on topics relevant to women on their transformation journeys. I was also able to immediately apply what I’d learned and felt in practice during a heart-opening yoga session, as I crawled like a cat on the floor doing contact improv, and while yelling out suggestions for the Beijing Broads improv games.

I have already shared my experience with friends and family in the US and China and even my partner, asking him to do some of the contact improv exercises with me the next day. Summits like this not only have the power to transform us as women but transform our communities as well. I highly recommend all women attend the next event. See and crawl with you there!

A proud “Georgia Peach” (from Georgia, USA) and graduate of Vanderbilt University, O.C. Tennant’s interest in the effect of international experiences on human development led her to work for the U.S. Department of State; to serve in Ecuador, Kenya, Peru, Tanzania, and now China; and, in 2016, to found Omega Mind, LLC. Most recently, Omega co-hosted the Beijing International Travel Conference and helped create cross-cultural videos for the China Tourism Film Festival. She has been in China for more than two years now and at any given time can be found painting, reading, writing, dancing, or studying nutritional therapy.

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Photos: Charlotte Smith, Authors