More parents showing up in children's job search

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | March 19, 2006 | Sue Shellenbarger

[inkling]

I can't imagine hiring anyone who needed one of their parents to attend the interview. That would be a terminal black mark.

[LdSentinal]

Translation: "I am sick and tired of this brat living with me, so please, I'm begging you, give him a job."

[Don W]

You mean this is REAL?

I thought it was Scrappleface when I read it.

"Mommy, tell this scary man to hire me".

I'm gonna barf. The first time I got fired, my mother WAS the axeman! And I deserved it!

[Graybeard58]

You must have been really bad for your own Mother to fire you.

[Don W]

Like I said, I deserved it. Learned from it, too.

Not to worry, though, I can still be an insufferable jerk. ;-)

[Energy Alley]

When I graduated from university I discovered that my father had lined up a job for me with Eastern Airlines, boy was it battle royale when I told him I didn't want it.

He kicked my ass for that till the day they were liquidated - damn near 15 years.

I don't think there is anything new or remarkable about this,

[M203M4]

Part of me wishes that this was fake. That it hasn't gotten this bad.

Childhood extending into 20's. Were these people breastfed till age 10? I can't wait until I need to acquire permission slips from the parents of 35 year old employees to attend an out of town workshop. They are cultivating a generation of worthless, dependent, crybaby boobs.

This is f'ing pathetic. I can see it at age 13 or 14, fine. When I was 16 and applied for a job, my parents didn't interfere in any way. I told them, "I'm applying to work at Spetty Pond Landscapers," gave them the phone number and address, and I biked off. Oh, well, I guess my dad made me change my shirt...but still!

My uncle emigrated from Europe to Canada at age 16, alone. It was hard times in the homeland, and he wanted to set up an anchor and establish a foothold so my grandparents and my mother could follow later and not have to sleep on the floor.

[ItsForTheChildren]

Yep. Doing anything to complete the launch sequence.

[cajun-jack]

That was my take on it, too!!!!

[endthematrix]

helicopter parent n. A parent who hovers over his or her children. Also: helicopter mother, helicopter mom, helicopter dad.

Mommy Dearest
"I've got some bad news - the millenials are coming, and the job of recruiters in placing this coddled generation might be too much for you to take."

http://www.recruiting.com/recruiting/2006/02/mommy_dearest.html

Do 'Helicopter Moms' Do More Harm Than Good?
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1237868&page=1

[John Valentine]

I interviewed a guy one time who brought his wife to the interview. Actually, it was more the other way 'round, and she did most of the talking in the interview.

I didn't hire the guy, naturally, and I asked the wife to stay behind for a moment. I told her she wasn't doing her husband any favors by coming along to the interview, and recommended that hereafter, she stay in the lobby and let her man either sink or swim on his own.

Either that or interview for the job herself. I think she got the point.

[Shery]

Well, as an educator, I find this is just the next step in the process. We have parents demanding less homework, or more; We have parents hovering and coddling nearly all the miscreants. Today's parents are still living in extended adolescence, so they are certain their kids are not ready to go it alone.

[Cementjungle]

Next it'll be employees bringing their parents to their annual reviews to defend them.

[CheyennePress]

To actually bring a parent into the interview is just unbelieveable to me. Bringing a parent along to see a law school or a medical school seems fine, but it's a given that the parent is going to disappear when anything official begins to transpire.

I will say that I still involve my parents in pretty much every major decision I make, but it's come to the point where they consult with me over major decision they make, too. I like it this way. Even though we live separately, the family still functions as a unit on more important issues. I guess that will change when I'm married and have kids, but as for now, I'm happy with things.

[thoughtomator]

To bring a parent seems to miss the point of having a job in the first place - independence!

[LZ_Bayonet]

Those Army commercials that show young people talking with their parents about going into the military walk a very fine line in my view. In my opinion, no one thinking about going into the military should involve their parents or siblings in the decision process. (It would be ok to say, "I've made this decision, now ...".) It isn't a matter of independence, it is laying that "responsible for him/her going in" trip on them in case something happens.

[Drew68]

Well, as an educator, I find this is just the next step in the process. We have parents demanding less homework, or more; We have parents hovering and coddling nearly all the miscreants.

And we have far too many young adults graduating from high school (and often college) with no "real-life" skills whatsoever. They are faced with the harsh reality that they haven't the slightest idea how to write a resume or interview for a job and they lean on their parents for help.

This trend doesn't surprise me in the least. For every parent that shows up to their kid's interview, I'll bet there are 10 that filled out his/her job application.

[Graybeard58]

In my opinion, no one thinking about going into the military should involve their parents or siblings in the decision process.

Unless they are 17 years old, in which case they need parental consent.

[mr_hammer]

I have a different take on it than most. A parent, good friend, wife or mentor going on interview is a good thing. Many jobs / careers are very complicated these days and having a second set of ears listening might be a good thing.

Notice I said listening, not actively participating in the interview.

What do you all think goes on in college sports. LeBron James's mother was most active in his career up until he made the NBA.

I am 45 (self employed) and take my father along on many deals I am about to close on. His advice and insight have saved me a couple of times.