My Mommy has some questions about my job offer…
Posted on March 6, 2008
Filed Under Career Development, Gen Y
Let me first say that I’ve encountered quite a few members of Gen Y over these last few months and I’ve found them to be bright, hardworking, conscientious, dedicated and independent. So when I read articles that portray them as coddled whiners who can’t cut the apron strings, I have to ask myself, who is the real Gen Y?
Recently NEHRA (New England Human Resources Assoc) published an article portraying Gen Y as not being able find the bathroom without Mommy and Daddy, yes I’m exaggerating but not by much. Here’s part of what the article says about them; ‘ Media reports indicate that some parents have contacted employers to try to renegotiate salary offers made to their recent college graduate or to question why their child did not receive an offer. A more common role, however, is parents equipping their children with a list of questions to ask during the interview process and helping them decide whether to accept a job offer, according to McDonald. Gen Y applicants have no qualms about stating that their parents gave them a list of questions, he says. Parents’ questions are “far more in-depth” than most recent college graduates would ask on their own, addressing such topics as the 5-year outlook for promotion, job security, and the company’s 401(k) plan.‘ Seriously, Mommy and Daddy are calling the employer for their kids? I realize that some industries are pinched for talent, but I’ve got to say that if was doing the hiring and got that call, I’d laugh Mom and Dad right off the phone.
At 22-23, I couldn’t imagine wanting my parents that involved in my job search. Certainly I counted on them for advice and good counsel, but I would never have dreamed of having them call my potential employer or having them come to a career event with me.
The article goes on to recommend accepting this as the changing of the guard. I couldn’t agree less. Accepting this sort of behavior just enables more of it. I would absolutely advise the opposite and not even consider allowing this behavior at all. Yes, there is a labor shortage in some industries, but as an employer I’d be scared to death to put an employee in charge of anything for fear that they’d have to include Mommy and Daddy in every decision. I’d much rather look a little harder and longer for the employee that can at least man up enough to get through the hiring process without a note from their parents.
Your thoughts? Am I crazy? Should we enable this behavior or tell Gen Y to stand on their own two feet? Gen Y is this you?
Until next time…
[tags] labor shortage, helicopter parents, Gen Y
It’s definitely not me…. I think I would die of embarrassment if my parents called my manager. I’m way to independent to accept that from my parents. Plus I think my manager would never let me live it down! hahaa! But my company does job fairs and I’ve seen parents accompany their kids and talk to the recruiters. I think that’s crazy - people need to make decisions for themselves.
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Thanks for the feedback, I actually think (and hope) that you’re in the majority and this won’t become the trend.
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I ask my mom advice a lot. She’s usually right too. Annoying,that. It’s funny, because in my third and final interview for my current job, I was asked what I would do when presented with an ethical dilemma. I mentioned I would probably see if it really was unethical behavior or if I was misunderstanding. And I would probably call my mom and ask for advice.
My answer turned out to be right on all counts, as the interviewer finds our business to be sticky (you don’t want to just go yell wolf if there’s no reason), and she has an amazing relationship with her mom, who actually did go to one of her interviews with her long ago.
I don’t work for this woman (her opinion was just valuable to my Board), but she is the top person in a related organization, and a Boomer. I don’t think this behavior is regulated to Gen Y.
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