#JobInterview : Why Gen Z Should Leave Their Helicopter Parents Out Of The Job Interview Process. Overreliance on Parental Support is a Red Flag. Thoughts?
Gen Z, who are often maligned as being “lazy” or “difficult in the workplace,” entered adulthood during unprecedented times, facing a global pandemic, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change. As a result of the difficult circumstances they have inherited—rather than a lack of ambition—a recent report from the American Staffing Association found that nearly 37% of Gen Z workers worry about job security.
This generation, along with their Millennial cohort, pursued four-year degrees, only to face significant hurdles upon graduation. The average Gen Z college graduate carries approximately $16,000 in debt. This financial burden limits these young adults’ career choices and hinders their ability to achieve traditional milestones like homeownership. The rise of artificial intelligence has further complicated the job market for this Gen Z. While they are tech-savvy, the increasing automation of routine tasks makes it challenging for companies to justify hiring full-time employees for entry-level positions.
Considering the significant challenges they face, it’s understandable that Gen Z may require additional support, particularly when compared to older generations that had greater opportunities. However, the phenomenon of “helicopter parents” in Gen Z’s upbringing has intensified parental involvement to an unprecedented degree.
How Involved Are The Parents Of Gen Z?
A 2024 survey by Resume Templates unveiled a surprising trend: 70% of Gen Z job seekers rely on their parents for assistance during the job search process—from writing résumés and cover letters to applying for jobs. Even more striking, Gen Zers reported involving their parents in job interviews, with some parents joining in-person or virtual meetings and even speaking directly to hiring managers.
Finding A Job
Among the Gen Z respondents surveyed, 60% indicated that they seek their parents’ help in sourcing job opportunities, utilizing online resources, personal connections, networking and career fairs.
Writing Résumés And Cover Letters
Additionally, most of these young adults are receiving assistance with their résumés. Over the past year, 55% of Gen Z respondents have sought their parents’ help for proofreading and editing their résumés, while nearly a quarter had their parents write the entire document for them. Almost half (49%) of this group also requested parental aid with their cover letters as well.
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Article continued …
Submitting Job Applications
Once their résumés were prepared for submission, 24% of Gen Zers said that their parents submitted their job applications on their behalf. If they made it to the initial screening by the human resources department, 13% admitted that they had their parents complete the call, citing not knowing how to communicate with hiring managers, a lack of motivation and their mental health.
Attending Interviews And Speaking To Hiring Managers
Beyond the introductory screening, Gen Zers are allowing their parents to have a physical dominance and presence in their job interviews, with 26% indicating that they have gone to the interview with at least one parent. Within this group, 31% had a parent attend an in-person interview with them, while 29% had a parent participate in a virtual interview.
Among those who had a parent present at an in-person interview, 37% reported that their parent accompanied them to the office, while 26% said their parent physically sat in the interview room, introducing themselves and even answering questions during the meeting.
Among those who participated in virtual interviews, 29% indicated that their parents were visible. The majority of the parents who appeared on camera communicated directly with the hiring manager and provided information to their children during the interview.
Throughout the interview process, 36% of Gen Z respondents said they asked their parents to help draft correspondence with hiring managers, from editing messages, to writing them entirely and directly communicating with the hiring professionals.
How Parents May Be Hindering The Job Search Process
While an overwhelming 83% of Gen Z job seekers credit their parents for their success in finding employment, this intense level of parental involvement raises significant concerns among employers about the autonomy and professional readiness of these young candidates.
Hiring managers may see it as a red flag that conveys a lack of independence and professional maturity in the Gen Z candidates. The perception that a job seeker needs their parents to “fight their battles” suggests an inability to navigate the corporate world independently, which could potentially hinder their chances of getting a new job or advancing in their career.
This overreliance on parental support may inadvertently signal to employers that the candidate lacks the essential soft skills and self-reliance needed in today’s competitive job market.
Moreover, this approach to job hunting deprives young workers of valuable learning experiences that are critical for their professional growth. By not engaging directly in the application and interview processes, Gen Z candidates miss out on opportunities to develop practical knowledge and skills essential for their careers.
This lack of hands-on experience may result in reduced motivation and preparedness for the job requirements and tasks at hand.
Job Search Advice For Gen Z
Gen Zers must strike a balance between seeking assistance and maintaining independence. While parental advice can be valuable, especially in résumé preparation and interview practice, it’s important for candidates to take ownership of their own job search.
Instead of relying solely on parents, Gen Z can build a robust professional support network comprising college alumni, mentors, recruiters and career coaches. This creates a more professional and strategic support system that can provide valuable insights and guidance, while helping young professionals develop their own career management skills.
To acquire some real-world experience, they can pursue internships, volunteer opportunities or freelance work. These avenues not only provide practical skills, but also strengthen their résumés, making them more competitive in the job market.
Gen Z job seekers should prioritize utilizing job networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Handshake, which 78% of their peers consider their primary resource for job searching. These sites not only streamline the application process, but can also connect them with potential employers.
Lastly, Gen Zers should make the most of on-campus career fairs, as face-to-face interactions are still highly valued in the recruitment process.
