Since the Wall Street Journal published their article about parents’ involvement in their children’s job search and career, several other sites such as the Huffington Post have also addressed the topic. If you're a Millennial, listen up. That generation's parents are far more involved in their children’s careers than any other, from accompanying them to company events and job interviews to negotiating salary on their children’s behalf and receiving their performance reviews. Yup, it’s for real. The WSJ article cites companies like Northwestern Mutual letting parents come along for interviews and hear job offers. A 2012 poll shows that 8% of college graduates had their parents go with them to an interview. Sounds a bit scary like you’re back in high school. Are you really that close to your parents? What’s driving this trend? In an interview with WBUR, NPR news station in Boston, Derek Thompson from The Atlantic believes that it’s both the parents and the companies. Companies think it’s what you and your parents want and “helicopter” parents of the millennial generation are much closer to their kids than those of previous generations. What’s the big deal and does this actually help you in your job search or career? From moms who would decline an invitation to sit in on their children’s interviews and believe adult children everywhere need to grow up to some Millennial flinching in hearing the news that their generation is now having parents tag along on job interview, there have been a lot of strong reactions. However, it’s not all bad, with companies like Northwestern seeing success in sales increasing by 40% as a result of parents’ involvement. Google and LinkedIn are also seeing better employee morale as a result of parents’ participation in company events. Based on the 2012 poll mentioned in the WSJ article, only 3% of parents sit in the actual interviews with their children. This is a small percentage and the reaction likely related to an overall question of whether or not parents belong in the workplace at their children’s side. Whether you agree or disagree with having your parents as your partner and advisor in your job search and career decisions, there are a few things to keep in mind.
