An Extra Chair at the Table: How 8 in 10 Gen Z bring Parents to their Interviews

Experts say over-involvement may hurt careers, but young workers insist family support is key to their success

17 August 2025, New Delhi

For many young professionals, the phrase “family support” is taking on a new meaning—inside the interview room. A new survey has revealed that nearly 77% of Gen Z job seekers brought a parent to their job interviews, with some even allowing them to answer questions or negotiate salaries on their behalf.

The study, carried out in July by ResumeTemplates.com among 831 full-time Gen Z workers in the United States, highlights a dramatic rise in parental involvement compared to last year. In 2024, only about one in four young candidates admitted to bringing a parent into the hiring process, according to a separate report by the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA).

From Hiring Talks to Office Halls

According to the latest findings, parental presence often went far beyond silent support. More than half of the respondents said their parent had spoken directly to the hiring manager. Others acknowledged that parents sat in during the conversation, asked their own questions, and in some cases, even negotiated pay and benefits.

The trend does not stop once a job offer is made. As per the same survey, around 45% of Gen Z employees said their parents regularly communicate with their managers, while a large majority seek help from their parents in reviewing performance evaluations or completing work assignments. Over half even admitted to bringing parents into their workplaces after being hired.

What’s Driving Gen Z to Involve Parents at Work

Career experts suggest that the roots of this trend lie in the unique circumstances that shaped Gen Z’s entry into adulthood. Years of pandemic isolation, remote schooling, and limited real-world interaction left many without the chance to develop confidence in professional settings.

“Many Gen Zers are simply not as prepared for the world as earlier generations,” career consultant Julia Toothacre told Campus Reform . “They’ve had fewer opportunities to practice independence, and now they are bringing their parents into spaces where they should be learning to stand on their own.”

Recruiters Raise Red Flags

Employers, however, view the phenomenon with growing concern. A survey cited by Business Insider found that more than half of hiring managers described Gen Z applicants as unprepared, while nearly half said they lacked professionalism. In some cases, parents physically attended interviews, leaving recruiters questioning whether candidates could handle workplace responsibilities independently.

“Employers want to evaluate the candidate—not their parent,” Toothacre added, noting that direct involvement during interviews risks undermining a young applicant’s credibility.

Gen Z Defends the Practice

Young workers, on the other hand, insist that parental support is an asset rather than a weakness. In earlier surveys by Resume Templates , as many as 83% of Gen Z respondents credited their parents’ involvement with helping them secure jobs. For many, parents provide not only emotional reassurance but also negotiating skills and real-world experience.

Career coaches recommend a balance: parents should continue helping young adults prepare behind the scenes—by reviewing résumés, practicing interview questions, or giving career advice—but step back when it comes to the actual hiring conversation. As one expert told WTOP, “Help at a distance is fine; being in the room is not.”

With parental involvement rising from 26% in 2024 to 77% in 2025, the trend is no longer a rare exception but a defining characteristic of Gen Z’s entry into the workforce. Whether it proves to be a temporary aftereffect of pandemic-era disruptions or a lasting cultural shift, one thing is clear: for this generation, job hunting is rarely a solo act—it is increasingly a family affair.