Gen Z’s job hunt has a new player: Mom and dad

Gen Z's job hunt has a new player: Mom and dad

Apeksha Tanwar / TOI Education / Mar 12, 2026, 16:00 IST

According to a survey by Zetty, 1 in 5 Gen Z job seekers say they have taken a parent to a job interview. For much of the modern labour market, the job interview has functioned as a threshold into adulthood. You arrive alone, sit across from strangers, and answer questions that test not only what you know but how you carry yourself. It is one of the first moments when people and organisations treat you not as a student or child but as a worker.

For a growing share of Generation Z, that moment is no longer solitary. New research from career platform Zety shows that some young candidates are bringing their parents with them into the hiring process. According to the survey, one in five Gen Z job seekers say they have taken a parent to a job interview, while many others involve them in earlier stages of recruitment.

The trend is unfolding during a difficult entry point into the labour market. Young people are entering one of the most challenging hiring environments in recent years, with rising unemployment among new graduates. A record number of young adults are now classified as NEETs, which refers to people not in education, employment, or training.

In that environment, parental support is extending beyond advice. When support enters the interview room

The involvement is not always subtle. In many cases, parents are not just offering preparation at home or reviewing a resume. They are physically present during the recruitment process.

The survey by Zety found that one in five respondents said a parent had contacted an employer or recruiter on their behalf. That contact can take several forms. Some parents email recruiters to follow up on applications, others call hiring managers directly to advocate for their child’s candidacy.

The involvement can extend even further once an offer is on the table. About a third of respondents said their parents helped them negotiate salary. Ten per cent reported that a parent negotiated directly with the employer. Even after employment begins, the relationship sometimes remains visible in the workplace. The research found that 56 per cent of respondents had parents visit their workplace outside formal events.

What may feel like support within families can appear very different to employers. Employers see a warning sign

Hiring managers are already reporting concerns about workplace readiness among young employees. Some employers say that new hires are struggling with communication, feedback, and basic professional expectations.

Against that backdrop, parental presence during recruitment can raise doubts about independence. Investor and television personality Kevin O’Leary recently criticised the trend after witnessing it during a job interview.