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According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), instances where parents contact companies directly on behalf of their adult children are becoming more common. At one staffing agency, for example, after a 24-year-old new employee was dismissed for repeated tardiness and absences, the employee's mother called the company just hours later requesting "one more chance." Hiring managers report that it is now routine to receive calls from parents asking why their child was rejected or to check the progress of their application.

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Parental involvement extends to the job application process itself. It is now common for parents to contact hiring managers or even apply for jobs on behalf of their children. Some parents help answer questions from off-screen during video interviews or review employee benefits packages together. In an actual survey, 20% of Gen Z respondents said they had attended interviews with their parents.

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Perspectives on this trend are divided. Parents claim that their advice and support are only natural, especially given how tough the job market has become. Some argue that leveraging personal connections to assist their children in finding jobs or offering guidance during difficult times is a long-standing cultural practice. On the other hand, companies worry that the more parents try to solve problems directly, the more they may doubt the applicant's independence and ability to solve problems themselves.

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Interestingly, within Gen Z itself, a substantial number view excessive parental involvement as burdensome. One recent college graduate said that while they understand parents' concerns, attending interviews together or dealing directly with the company can only reinforce the stereotype that "Gen Z can't do anything on their own." There are concerns that parents' well-intentioned support could impact the image of the entire generation.