Gen Z’s awkward foray into the work world is a-parent.
Newcomers to corporate America, young adults under age 27, are taking baby steps into the office — and making sure mommy and daddy are there to catch them if they fall during the onboarding process and beyond, according to new, brow-furrowing data.
“Over three-quarters of Gen Zers (77%) say they have brought a parent to a job interview when they were job searching,” study authors for ResumeTemplates, a virtual career-planning hub, revealed in the report.
More startling, an alarming 79% of the hapless bunch admitted that once they get the job, their parents continue communicating with their managers — routinely asking for promotions, pay increases and days off on behalf of their not-so-little ones.
Researchers surveyed 831 working Zoomers to determine just how involved mom and dad were in their most recent job searches and in securing their current roles.
A whopping 44% of the Zs admitted to bringing their folks to in-person meetings with prospective bosses, while only 27% had them tag along for virtual sessions. However, 29% of the cubs copped to having mama and papa bear accompany them on both face-to-face and online interviews.
When parents attended interviews, 40% of Gen Zers say they sat in on the interview, 34% say their parents answered questions, 30% say their parents asked questions and 27% say their parents helped negotiate salary or benefits.
The surprising findings eclipse those of a December 2024 poll. The inquiry examined 800 employers who said 19% of Gen Z applicants rely on their mothers or fathers as security blankets during interviews — a move that makes the big business newbies seem “unprepared” and “unprofessional.”
Fledglings new to the daily grind have taken to social media, confessing their ineptitude to TikTok, and detailing how mom and dad are helping them take launch.
One Z-gal filmed her father filling out her job application on LinkedIn, likening the stunt to the times he used to help her do math homework around the kitchen table as a kid. Another working whippersnapper proudly showcased her dad commuting with her into the Big Apple for her first day at her “big girl job.”
A self-professed “proud mom” captured in-office footage of her daughter interviewing with a major fashion retailer, while a separate mother forced her girl to do “interview bootcamp,” during which the mommy-and-me duo did make-believe job screenings via Zoom.
It’s a controversial workplace trend that’s picking up steam among job-hunting youngsters, but further cementing the notion that today’s “lazy” 20-somethings aren’t quite ready for the real world.
And it doesn’t help that 90% of the troubled demographic task their parents with finding them potentials jobs, while 31% make mom and dad write their resumes and 29% get the ‘rents to craft their cover letters, per ResumeTemplates.
A shocking 75% of team Z put the parents down as references during their job search, and 63% had a parent submit job applications on their behalf. Nearly half (48%) of the incompetent kiddos had a parent complete a test assignment for them, and 41% say their parent handled an initial HR screener call.
But mother’s work isn’t done after her daughter or son scores a steady 9-to-5.
Once on the clock, 86% of the grownup pups have their parents review their performance reviews, 83% have mom and dad pack their lunch for work, 73% get help from their parents completing work assignments and actually 57% bring their parents into the office for assistance.
And while there is value in receiving some help from mom and pop during the employment-seeking phase, experts warn parents against taking on the full load.
“I support parents helping with resumes, offering professional insights, or reviewing performance evaluations,” said Julia Toothacre, Chief Career Strategist for ResumeTemplates, in a statement.
“Parents can be supportive behind the scenes, but they shouldn’t participate directly,” she added. “It not only undermines the child’s credibility [with managers and co-workers], but also risks stunting their professional growth and ability to navigate challenging situations.”
“Early-career professionals need to develop the confidence and skills to navigate workplace conversations independently.”
Gen Z job-seeker stats, by the numbers:
- 31% of Gen Zers had a parent write their resume
- 77% brought a parent to an interview
- 53% had a parent speak with a hiring manager on their behalf
- 45% regularly have a parent talk to their current manager
- 73% have their parents help complete work assignments
- 57% have brought a parent to their current workplace
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