Mom Takes Her Toddler To Job Interview, Sparking Important Conversation On Parenthood In The Workplace
It’s no secret that between working full-time careers and being full-time moms and dads, today’s parents have to be circus performers and carefully juggle everything on their plate. But what are you supposed to do when you’re trying to reenter the workforce and have no access to childcare?
One woman shared her experience with bringing her toddler to a job interview and it’s shedding light on corporate America and sparking a discussion about how parenting and the workplace can coexist.
Maggie’s TikTok Video
Maggie Mundwiller is from St. Louis, Missouri, and is known as @314handcrafted on TikTok. She recently posted a video that has gone viral with nearly 9 million views and 13,000 comments.
In the video, mom Maggie explains that she was invited for a second job interview at a company, but she didn’t have access to childcare (she’s had to turn down job interviews before due to this problem). But then the company tells her that they are “child-friendly” and invite Maggie to bring along her toddler-aged son Mylo to the job interview!
Stylish Interview Prep
Maggie prepares for the interview and shows a video montage of getting Mylo ready too, including brushing his hair, dressing him in a very dapper baby blue suit and tiny sneakers, and washing his stroller and family minivan.
Maggie even hangs a little sign on Mylo’s stroller that reads, “Stop! No touching, your germs are too big for me!”
Job Interview Time
On the day of the interview, we see Mylo strolling into the office building in style like he owns the place (which, when you’re that cute, you can absolutely get away with). Mylo even brings his own tiny resume! The resume says he graduated from Mom & Dad University, can destroy a clean room in only 30 seconds, and can spot a dog a mile away.
“It was a great experience,” Maggie wrote in her video. “What a welcoming company culture.”
The Journey To This Interview
The past year has not been easy for Maggie. In a follow-up video, she explains that she was laid off from a job that she loved only six weeks after she gave birth, and has been unemployed for over a year, saying that “it crushed me.” Maggie says during her job hunting experience she interviews potential employers as much as they’re interviewing her as a potential employee.
She’s been looking for a job that has family-friendly work culture, citing that “if you’re loyal to us we’re loyal to you.”
Working Parents
Maggie says she wants to use her social media platform to “normalize being a parent in the workplace.”
She calls on family-friendly workplaces to welcome children to job interviews saying, “I don’t mean you have to bring your kid to the workplace to be family-friendly, I just mean you understand what it’s like to be a parent and are accommodating to those needs.”
The Corporate Response
Maggie shared a part two to her video with some incredibly exciting news: They offered her the job!
In the video, she explains that she is seriously considering accepting the job (whose identity she’s keeping private for the time being). But first, she and her family are embarking on a road trip to attend a corporate event and learn more about the business in order to learn “if it’s the right fit for us.” Maggie adds that she is “so excited and so grateful” for everything.
“So Did He Get The Job?”
TikTok users loved hearing about Maggie and Mylo’s story, with many people commenting on, given how cute Mylo is, how could they not hire Maggie for the position? A few cheeky users joked that perhaps Mylo got the job instead.
“I would hire you simply on the fact that you dressed him up and he had his own adorable resume!” wrote one user. “Witty and I love it. Hope u got the job!”
The Gold Standard
For many users, Maggie’s video opened an important dialogue into how the working world and parenthood need to be able to coexist, and many people want to see this level of family-friendly commitment become the gold standard.
“Dear corporate America—please make this normal," wrote one user.
A Win For Working Parents
Other users pointed out that family-friendly companies do exist, and it’s something they want to see more of, with some noting that kid-friendly businesses need to be better supported. One user noted that implementing an in-house daycare is a great first step for companies.
Either way, many saw Maggie’s positive experience as a win for moms everywhere.
In Conclusion
I think that regardless of whether or not Maggie accepts the job (fingers crossed!), someone definitely needs to hire Mylo.
Look at that little guy! Only a toddler and can already rock a suit and knows how to use a computer. Dream employee right there.
