Parents Ruining Job Chances for Young Workers

In the age of hovering, overly-involved parents – the ones who pressure teachers and principals to change test grades and insist on more playing time for their brats during kiddie soccer games -- it’s unsurprising to find moms and dads who interfere in their kids’ job searches, sometimes blowing the opportunity for young applicants in the process. OfficeTeam asked hiring executives to recount the most unusual behavior by parents of applicants, and the tales of helicopter parenting did not disappoint. "Although most parents mean well, those who become overly involved in a child's job search can derail their son or daughter's prospects of being hired,” said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Companies may question the applicant's level of independence and maturity. New graduates should steer their parents away from direct contact with potential employers and toward behind-the-scenes guidance and networking assistance." More than 1,300 senior managers took part in the research.