Parents are showing up to their Gen Z kids’ job interviews, reveals new survey

Gen Z isn't entering the corporate world alone. In fact, their parents are guiding them every step of the way, at times by even attending job interviews on their behalf. Sounds bizarre, right? But that's the reality. A survey of 831 working Gen Z adults by ResumeTemplates.com revealed shocking details about 'excessive' parental involvement in their professional lives. From helping them update their resumes to finding employment and speaking to hiring managers on their kids' behalf, parents are apparently leaving no stone unturned to help their children land good jobs. 

More than half (53%) of Gen Z respondents reported asking a parent to review their resumes; in fact, 31% of them had a parent write their entire resume. Once the resumes are updated, parents are also stepping up to help their kids find jobs to apply for. The survey found that 50% of parents used their own professional connections, while 65% searched on recruitment platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed on behalf of their Gen Z kids. While 54% asked their parents to email hiring managers, another 53% had a parent speak to the hiring manager directly. But wait, it gets weirder with time.

Parents are also stepping up to help their children crack interviews. Yes, the same survey found 48% of Gen Z respondents have had a parent who completed a test assignment on their behalf, and 77% confessed to bringing a parent to a job interview. Among those whose parents accompanied them to interviews, 24% said their parents joined them more often than not. Now, parents aren't just silent spectators, as 34% of respondents said they answered interview questions on their behalf, and 27% said their parents helped negotiate salary or benefits. But you are wrong if you think this interference is limited to only job searches. The parents reportedly continue to help their kids in their professional lives even after they are hired. While 86% have their parents review their performance reviews, 73% get help in completing work assignments, and over half (57%) bring their parents to work.

On the surface, parents helping kids secure good jobs may look beneficial, but it hinders career development in the long run. Research by Yixin Wang surveyed 743 students to examine how overparenting affects career indecision and found that higher levels of overparenting are linked to more career indecision among college students. When parents are too involved, the children feel a lot of pressure to do well in their careers. Because of this, they may start doubting their ability to make good career choices. Moving forward, the lack of confidence makes it almost impossible for them to make career decisions alone. Moreover, the study noted that negative effects on career stress and indecision are much worse if parents and their kids have contradictory career expectations.

Meanwhile, people were shocked to realize how far parental protectiveness has reached; for instance, reacting to it, @personatalie6701 commented, "This is what happens when parents shield and coddle kids continuously. Parents don't want to do the ugly part of parenting. The part where they teach life struggles by allowing the child to struggle. It's called setting the child up for success." Similarly, @jadefire1814 shared, "This is not new behavior. When I worked as a librarian (in the late 90s), we had parents coming in to do research for their children's college work. Not high school, college. And when I asked one why, I got told, 'Well, I want them to get a good grade!'" @palmofficial wrote, "Sheesh, I remembered being embarrassed when my pops dropped me off at job interviews and waited in the car. But parents going on interviews is crazy! Cut the umbilical cord, y'all!"

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