Archive · 20 Aug 2025
Gen Z Job Seekers: Parents Attending Interviews Becomes a Trend
Many young people in their early twenties, known as Gen Z, are bringing their parents to job interviews.
A survey found that nearly 80% of Gen Z job seekers involve their parents in the job search.
Sometimes, parents even talk about pay or benefits!
Experts think this is because Gen Z doesn't have much work experience and didn't get many chances to build connections during the pandemic.
Some employers are not happy about this, because they think it makes young applicants seem unprepared.
A survey reveals that 77% of US-based Gen Z candidates have brought a parent to a job interview.
27% of Gen Z candidates reported their parents discussed salary or benefits during interviews.
Almost 80% of Gen Z candidates had parents involved in their job search process, including application submissions and reference checks.
Experts suggest that limited work experience and smaller professional networks, exacerbated by the pandemic, contribute to this trend.
A survey of employers showed that 19% of Gen Z applicants showed up with parents, with bosses feeling that this made the applicants look unprepared.
- Who
- Gen Z job seekers and their parents, plus employers.
- What
- Gen Z candidates are increasingly involving their parents in job interviews and the job search process.
- When
- Recent surveys in late 2024 and early 2025.
- Where
- US-based Gen Z candidates.
- Why
- Experts point to a lack of work experience, smaller professional networks, and a competitive job market as contributing factors.
Criticism of Parental Involvement
Acceptance of Shifting Norms
Impact on Credibility
Criticism of Parental Involvement
Experts and employers see it as undermining the candidate's credibility and professional growth. Parents are perceived as making the candidates look unprepared
Acceptance of Shifting Norms
Some see the changing nature of workplace norms reflected in the increased parental involvement
- Percentage of Gen Z candidates bringing parents to interviews
- 77%
- Percentage of parents discussing salary or benefits
- 27%
- Percentage of Gen Z candidates whose parents kept in touch with managers
- 79%
- Percentage of Gen Z who had parents complete test tasks
- 49%
- Percentage of employers who saw Gen Z applicants with parents
- 19%