How Your Parents Can Help - or Hurt - Your Job Search

If you are a recent college graduate or simply looking for an entry-level position, you may be reluctant to ask for your parents’ help. The desire for independence is natural, and asking mom or dad for a hand can feel like a step backward in that pursuit. But don’t be so quick to write off their assistance. Your parents have significant professional experience and may be able to provide valuable assistance in your search. You just need to know how and when to request their help. Otherwise, they could actually hinder your search for employment. Here are some tips:

Follow in their footsteps. Chances are both of your parents have spent years in the workforce, and, like you, they had to start on the bottom rung. They can relate to what you’re experiencing as you struggle to find your first job. So, don’t be afraid to talk to them about the challenges you’re facing. They may have suggestions for overcoming hurdles and creative strategies for success.

Use them as a second set of eyes — and ears. As a job seeker, you’re in a constant quest to improve your resume, interview skills and overall impression you make when interacting with prospective employers. Turn to your parents for guidance on how to do so. Between them, they’ve written countless resumes and interviewed with dozens of hiring managers. Ask them to review your resume and cover letter. Are you highlighting the strongest aspects of your professional background? Do you come across as professional and passionate about the position? You might also request their help in preparing for an upcoming interview. Who better to play the part of the hiring manager in a practice session than your mom or dad?

Ask them for introductions. One of the most effective means of finding employment is through those you know. Members of your network may have news of an unadvertised opening or be willing to pass your resume along to a hiring manager. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that your base of professional contacts is well-developed at this point in your career. To bolster it, ask your parents to share their network with you and introduce you to individuals they know who could assist you in your job search. Not only do your mother and father likely have a large pool of professional contacts, but many members of their network may be in a position to make hiring decisions. Talk to your parents about what type of position you are looking for and find out if they know people you can contact to gather career advice, arrange informational interviews or inquire about openings at their firms.

Turn to them for support. The search for employment can be difficult and frustrating, especially if you’ve been on the hunt for a while. When the challenge seems overwhelming, remember that your parents can be a good shoulder to cry on or a source for a much-needed pick-me-up.

As helpful as your parents can be to your job search, they also can be a hindrance if you rely on them too heavily. In particular, you shouldn’t ask them to do your work for you. For instance, unless your mom or dad has an existing relationship with a certain hiring manager, don’t have them contact the employer to check if your application was received, schedule a meeting or follow up on an interview. And, although it should go without saying, don’t ask a parent to accompany you to an interview. Employers want to interact with you, and you alone. Using your mother or father as a middleman will only cause a hiring manager to question your professionalism, maturity and fit for the role.