Ask any recruiter or hiring manager who has pursued or interviewed Generation Y job candidates, “What’s the most obtrusive thing helicopter parents have ever done in their child’s job search?,” and you’ll bombarded with tales from the bizarre to the downright brainless.
There are stories of mothers and fathers passing out resumes at career fairs, submitting (then following up) on resumes, jumping on the line to answer questions during phone interviews, and showing up to a Generation Y child’s interview demanding s/he be included in the process.
It’s perfectly understandable for parents to want their children to succeed, but many Generation Y helicopter parents are hovering a little too long and encroaching a little too far. So long and far, in fact, that they may be inadvertently ruining their child’s job search leads and career prospects.
If you’re one of the many Generation Y helicopter parents, check out the following few ways you can help your children in their job search without harming their chances of getting hired. (Tips derived of Forbes writer Susan Adams‘ article, “How Parents Can Help Their Kids Get A Job After College“.)
Connect With The Career Office At Your Child’s College
Most university career offices have at least LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts nowadays. Helicopter parents can stay abreast of new career office offerings and upcoming events by connecting or following these accounts.
Ask The Career Center For Different Major Data
Many helicopter parents push their unwilling Generation Y children into engineering or computer science majors, believing these are the only majors that lead to job search success. But the career center likely keeps statistics on dozens (if not hundreds) of fields where students who did various majors have landed.
Encourage Your Child’s Involvement
Though work experience is still a strong factor in job search, it’s not always the deciding factor when employers select candidates. Employers are also looking for candidates who excel in coursework and show initiative in extra curricular activities and internships.
Consider Helping Your Child Financially
Helicopter parents shouldn’t foot all of their child’s bills, and they shouldn’t overflow children’s bank accounts with monthly “allowances,” but paying to help your child relocate or assisting with school loan repayment is acceptable.
Helicopter parents, you can read more ways to assist Generation Y job search by reading Adams’ article on Forbes.
Do you have a job search horror story about helicopter parents? Share it in the comment section!
