Parents become a bigger presence in young adults' careers |
| Recruiters and hiring managers say parental involvement in the careers of young adults is becoming increasingly common, with some parents contacting employers, applying for jobs on behalf of their children, attending interviews, or even participating in workplace discussions. Human resources professionals say the trend has become far more widespread in recent years, particularly among Gen Z workers, raising concerns that excessive parental involvement signals a lack of independence and self-reliance. While some parents argue they are simply helping their children navigate a difficult job market or providing networking support, employers say direct intervention rarely improves hiring prospects and can instead create a negative impression. A survey by résumé service Zety found that 20% of Gen Z respondents had a parent attend a job interview with them, while HR professionals reported receiving calls from parents about applications, performance reviews, benefits, and even absences. Many employers said they now encourage parents to step back and instead coach their children to communicate directly with managers and recruiters. |
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