In a trend that has left hiring managers stunned, a recent study by Resume Templates reveals that 77 per cent of Gen Z job seekers admit to bringing a parent to their job interviews. What was once considered a milestone of passage into adulthood, facing employers independently, is now being reshaped by parental involvement at nearly every stage of the recruitment process.

The findings show just how far this practice goes. Nearly 40 per cent of Gen Z candidates said their parents physically sat in on interviews, while about one-third admitted parents either answered or asked questions on their behalf. More than a quarter revealed parents negotiated pay and benefits during the session. In a few cases, parents introduced themselves to hiring managers to endorse their children, effectively turning the professional setting into a family meeting.

For recruiters accustomed to evaluating self-starters, the sight of a parent taking the lead has raised difficult questions about what independence and professionalism mean in 2025.

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Parents As “Career Coaches”

The study suggests that the involvement does not end at interviews. Parents are increasingly acting as full-time career coaches. A striking three in four Gen Zers have listed a parent as a reference, while 63 per cent said their parents have applied for jobs on their behalf. Over half reported that parents have emailed (54 per cent) or even called (53 per cent) hiring managers directly.

In other cases, the support goes even further: 48 per cent admitted parents completed test assignments for them, while 41 per cent said their parents handled the first HR screening call. The workplace isn’t immune either; 8 in 10 Gen Z workers say their parents communicate with their managers at some point.

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Heavy Reliance On Parental Support

The report highlights just how dependent some young job seekers have become. Nine in ten Gen Zers said they asked their parents to help identify job opportunities. Around 75 per cent listed them as references, 70 per cent relied on them to submit applications, and 60 per cent sought their help in communicating with hiring managers. Even tasks as personal as writing resumes (35 per cent) and cover letters (30 per cent) were outsourced to parents.