A career coach has criticized parents for “forgetting” the difficulties of advancing in a career, as new data shows that Generation Z is increasingly seeking their caregivers’ help when applying for jobs.
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is known for different workplace habits compared to earlier generations. They tend to avoid management roles, engage in behaviors like ‘quiet quitting,’ and seek out ‘lazy girl jobs.’
Surprisingly, recent research reveals that many Gen Z members are turning to their parents for job search assistance. A survey by ResumeTemplates.com found that 83 percent of successful job applicants credited their caregivers for their achievements. Of the 1,428 U.S. Gen Z participants surveyed, one-third admitted to bringing their parents to job interviews, and 30 percent said their parents even introduced themselves to the hiring manager.
Tammie Christofis Ballis, a career coach and recruiter at Realistic Careers, criticized this trend. Speaking to The New York Post, the 37-year-old expressed concern over parents’ involvement in their children’s job applications, noting that parents seem to forget how they navigated the process themselves.
Ballis, who once owned a café, said the situation is worsening, with parents attending job interviews on behalf of their children. When their child isn’t hired, they often don’t understand the reason.
She shared examples from nursing recruiters who had parents show up at interviews for 20- and 21-year-olds. “You’re not going to take your mum to work, so why bring her to an interview?” Ballis asked.
While she acknowledged that feeling nervous before an interview is normal, she argued that Gen Z is crossing a line by bringing their parents for emotional support. She emphasized that discomfort is a natural part of the job-seeking process, and facing it helps individuals grow.