Dear Parents,

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First of all—congratulations! You're rounding third base if your child is a college junior, senior, or recent graduate. Soon, they’ll be on the hunt for that first internship or post-college job. You’re probably feeling a whirlwind of emotions—pride, anxiety, and maybe even the urge to project manage their job search. I get it.

Wanting to help with their job search comes from a place of love, but here’s the tough coaching: your over-involvement can do more harm than good. This moment is crucial for your child to build confidence and learn to articulate their skills, experiences, and dreams—in their own voice. By stepping in too much, whether writing their resume, networking, or managing their job search, you’re hindering their ability to develop these essential skills, and hiring managers can tell.

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The Reality of Parental Involvement

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Did you know:

• 70% of Gen Z ask their parents for help during their job search.
• 83% of those who landed a job credited their success to their parents, not themselves.
• Shockingly, 25% of Gen Z candidates have brought their parents to job interviews.
• 16% had their parents submit applications on their behalf.
• 1 in 10 even had their parents write their resume.

It’s unbelievable, right? The truth is parental over-involvement is creating a negative perception of Gen Z and undermining them in the workforce. 

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Why Less Can Be More

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Dr. Emily W. King, an expert in career development, notes, “Parental involvement in the job search process can be a double-edged sword. While guidance is beneficial, over-involvement can hinder young adults from developing critical skills and self-reliance. Parents must balance support with allowing their children to take the lead.”

When parents take on too much of the job search process, they might unintentionally prevent their children from building key skills like resume writing, interviewing, and networking. These are essential for long-term career success. If your child is accustomed to you handling these tasks, they might struggle when they need to perform them independently.

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Encouraging Independence and Building Confidence

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The goal is to support your child without overshadowing their efforts. The best way to assist them is to provide encouragement and guidance rather than taking over. This allows them to develop their strategies and confidence.

Dr. Laura Adams, a career coach and author, explains, “Encouraging your child to take charge of their job search process helps build their confidence and prepares them for future career challenges. Providing support that fosters independence is the most effective strategy.”

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How YoPro Can Help

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At YoPro, we understand the delicate balance between parental support and independence. Our personalized coaching programs are designed to empower Gen Z individuals by focusing on their strengths, developing essential job search skills, and boosting their confidence.

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