|
|
 |
"Do You Mind if I Bring my Mom to the Interview?"
OfficeTeam Survey Reveals Most Surprising Behavior From Job Seekers’
Parents
MENLO PARK, CA -- We’ve all heard of moms and dads who become too
involved in a child’s science fair project, book report or college
application. According to a new OfficeTeam survey, this type
of hovering, also known as “helicopter parenting,” extends to the
job search, too.
Executives interviewed were asked to recount the most unusual or
surprising behavior they had heard of or witnessed from the parent
of a job seeker. Here are some of their responses:
- “One parent wanted to sit in during the interview.”
- “A parent called a politician to push me to hire his son.”
- “A mother submitted her daughter’s resume on her behalf.”
- “Someone stopped an employer at a grocery store to ask that
person to hire her child.”
- “A parent called to ask about a job applicant’s work schedule
and salary.”
- “A parent called during the interview to try to push me to hire
her daughter.”
- “I received a call from a father asking about the status of his
son’s application.”
- “A parent came by my desk and told me that he expected his
daughter to get preference for a position since he was a manager at
the company.”
- “A mother called to ask how her child did in the job interview.”
- “A parent called to find out why we did not hire her son and why
we felt he was not qualified.”
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service
specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative
professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is
based on telephone interviews with more than 1,300 senior managers at
companies with 20 or more employees in the United States and Canada.
“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 because companies may question the applicant’s level of
independence and maturity,” said Robert Hosking, executive
director of OfficeTeam. “New graduates should steer their parents away
from direct contact with potential employers and toward
behind-the-scenes guidance and networking assistance.”
OfficeTeam identifies five ways for professionals to effectively
leverage their parents’ help in the job search:
- Branch out. Networking is still one
of the best ways to find a job. A parent’s friends and colleagues
can help set up introductory meetings with employers and alert you
to opportunities.
- Give it another look. Have parents
review your resume and cover letter. They can spot typos and other
errors and make sure the most valuable information is included.
- Do a test run. Conduct mock
interviews with parents to practice responses to common questions.
Ask for constructive feedback on your answers and delivery.
- Weigh your options. Use your
parents as a sounding board about potential opportunities. They can
provide a different perspective and bring up points to consider in
your decision.
- Get encouragement. Looking for a
job can be difficult, and it’s important to remain positive. Seek
parental advice and support throughout the process to keep on track.
About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam is the nation’s leading staffing service specializing in
the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative
support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide
and offers online job search services at
www.officeteam.com.
|
