topic Gen Z Job Seekers in Community Chat

Gen Z Job Seekers

Marp — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:16:47 GMT

In regard to the age old complaints about the succeeding generation being the worst ever it seems to me that older generations should be asking where did we go wrong raising our kids not what is wrong with kids today.

In an effort to find every possible advantage in the job search, Gen Zers are turning to the folks who have always helped the most: mom and dad. A recent survey of job seekers shows that 70% of Gen Zers ask their parents to help them find a job. Of those who find full-time employment, 83% credit parental guidance with successful results. Gen Z - individuals born between 1997 and 2012 - represents 32% of the world’s population, and will account for 27% of the workforce by next year, according to McKinsey.

Surprisingly, nearly 40% of Gen Zers say that a parent accompanied them to an in-person interview. Nearly 30% report that the parent went into the interview with them, and two times out of ten, the parent introduced themselves to the hiring manager.

Hiring Gen Z: A Package Deal?

One in 10 Gen Z job seekers had parents complete their HR screening calls, while 1 in 8 had their parents write their résumé from scratch. Moms are more helpful and supportive, as 76% of Gen Zers report getting help from their mothers (versus 45% receiving help from their fathers). For folks attending virtual interviews, 71% report that a parent was present, but off-camera, for support. Nearly 30% said that the parent was on-camera, and if the parent showed up on camera there was an 85% chance that the parent would speak directly to the hiring manager.

Excerpted from: forbes.com/sites/chriswestfall/2024/05/02/gen-z-job-search-involves-parents-to-find-new-jobs-70-of-the-time/?sh=41f9bc7b470c

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

kaydee50 — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:27:01 GMT

My father definitely guided my brother to his first and what turned out to be his only job, 60+ years ago, when my bro had just graduated from high school. If I remember correctly, dad went with my bro to the interview.

And in retrospect, I should have listened to my father too!

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

suziebee1 — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:33:15 GMT

Just another view. My daughter graduated high school in 2017 and college in 2021. Neither school had any info on job search, interview skills, resume building, networking, etc. She learned from her father and myself how to prepare for her job search. Now, we didn't go to interviews with her or ask anyone to interview her, that is a bit much.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Winkk — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:49:19 GMT

The issue of recent college grads not finding jobs is a real problem. We hear each month how many jobs were created but most aren't career jobs.

My grandson graduated from Penn State two years ago, then went to law school for a year. He has been sending out his resume for about 9 months. He NEVER gets a response from any of them. He is so frustrated.

You have to "know someone" in order to find a job. You don't see this in the news very much but it is a real problem. So, I don't blame parents trying to help out.

(However, parents going to job interviews is a bit much.)

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

ThinkingOutLoud — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:00:20 GMT

Just last month, someone who's been doing interviews for white collar jobs told me of a mom showing up with their kid. They were stunned. The person wasn't hired and they didn't know whether to break it to the kid or the parent. LOL

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

beckyb1012 — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:59:41 GMT

Being with your grown child on an interview is just weird. If they need a ride or yes moral support fine, stay out in the car. You have to cut that cord at some point you will not be on this earth forever to let them sit on your lap.

Contacts and door opening for job prospects is one thing but treating an interview like it is the first day of Kindergarten is strange.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

ThinkingOutLoud — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:03:18 GMT

@beckyb1012 wrote:
Being with your grown child on an interview is just weird. If they need a ride or yes moral support fine, stay out in the car. You have to cut that cord at some point you will not be on this earth forever to let them sit on your lap.
Contacts and door opening for job prospects is one thing but treating an interview like it is the first day of Kindergarten is strange.

No kidding. This interviewer also wondered if the mom would need a cubicle as well or just share one with her son.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Imaoldhippie — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:06:39 GMT

What a sad state of affairs. Parents going with kids to job interviews!!!!!!! My age group would have been laughed right out of the building. No wonder kids today cant think for themselves. I do not feel the least bit sad for college grads that cant find a job, yes they can, it may not be what they want but there are plenty of jobs out there. Oh wait, they would have to do physical labor and maybe get their little hands dirty, oh the horror of it all, well then they can go home and mommy will kiss it and make it better.

Society created this monster and they are now reaping the rewards, sorry no sympathy here.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

ROMARY — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:23:15 GMT

I'm not a fan of 'baby-ing' children and adults, in general.

I always like to see youngsters helping their moms and/or dads.

Doing light chores, helping 'clean' or 'dust' this and that, etc. at a young age. Three or four years old, etc.

And, it seems to me that they feel as though they've accomplished something.

Builds self- esteem, imo.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Greeneyedlady21 — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:25:00 GMT

Helicopter parenting

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Laura14 — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:25:26 GMT

We actually had a parent ask us to share our corporate financials and payroll to show them exactly how we calculate and distribute department revenue to all of our employees.

I told him absolutely I would as soon as he brought me all of his and his daughter's (prospective employee) bank and tax records for the past year.

She was not hired.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Imaoldhippie — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:36:48 GMT

Good grief, you gave the perfect answer. I on the other hand would have sat there with my mouth hanging open and when I came to my senses would have laughed my butt off.

@Laura14

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Lakelife62 — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:42:45 GMT

I am not surprised by this. I helped my kids. Never went to an interview (drove them to a few, but never went inside), but always encouraged and supported them. Interviewing, creating resumes that grab attention is a skill. Schools where we raised the kids had resources, too.

Never had a parent accompany a job seeker. But I did have a parent (Mom) ambush me after I had to terminate her daughter for attendance. It was a very uncomfortable conversation to say the least.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Winkk — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:50:10 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
What a sad state of affairs. Parents going with kids to job interviews!!!!!!! My age group would have been laughed right out of the building. No wonder kids today cant think for themselves. I do not feel the least bit sad for college grads that cant find a job, yes they can, it may not be what they want but there are plenty of jobs out there. Oh wait, they would have to do physical labor and maybe get their little hands dirty, oh the horror of it all, well then they can go home and mommy will kiss it and make it better.

Society created this monster and they are now reaping the rewards, sorry no sympathy here.

@Imaoldhippie .. I respectfully disagree. This may be true for some but, it cannot be used as a blanket statement for all college grads. There are a lot of them working jobs they don't really want while trying to find a job in what they would like to do.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

SilleeMee — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:57:27 GMT

Some Gen Z individuals I know are going to trade schools. Some have already finished their training and making good money. It's all blue-collar work but really pays well and there's room at the top. Jobs are plentiful here. White-collar jobs aren't the only game in town and mom doesn't need to go with either.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Imaoldhippie — Fri, 10 May 2024 16:07:17 GMT

@Winkk ...........Of course there are exceptions.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

Winkk — Fri, 10 May 2024 16:50:22 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Some Gen Z individuals I know are going to trade schools. Some have already finished their training and making good money. It's all blue-collar work but really pays well and there's room at the top. Jobs are plentiful here. White-collar jobs aren't the only game in town and mom doesn't need to go with either.

@SilleeMee .. I agree. Trade school is an excellent choice if not going to college. And, those types of jobs are needed. But, high schools in our area don't promote trade school. They push for college. The trade school here has condensed classes because enrollment has decreased. It's a shame.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

haddon9 — Fri, 10 May 2024 20:18:06 GMT

It's one thing to help your kids behind the scenes like driving if they can't and making some suggestions. But to attend an interview is beyond ridiculous!

Aren't the kids embarrassed? I would have been mortified if my parents came into an interview when I was seeking a job.

Why do they think it's a good idea....either parent or adult child? Don't they realize how bad it looks? It's sending the message that the adult child can't cope by themselves without mommy & daddy helping.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

DrakesMomma — Fri, 10 May 2024 20:38:31 GMT

I think being a successful parent means preparing your child for what comes next at every stage of their young lives. The last step is preparing your child to leave you, leave the nest. The end goal of parenting is separation. Fostering your child to live without you. It is kinda sad. It sucks a lot.

My son is 23. He's probably looking at moving out in the next six months or so. It kinda sucks that I probably won't see him or talk to him every day but it has to be ok. I can't hold him back.

Re: Gen Z Job Seekers

RetRN — Fri, 10 May 2024 20:46:10 GMT

Raising our children to be independent should be our goal. We know when they are born that they will leave the nest after graduation. We should be encouraging them to set goals, move on, and enjoy their lives without our everyday presence. This seems like common sense to wish them well in their endeavors without needing us every step of the way.