If you’re a parent, you probably understand that there’s a fine line between helping your children do something and doing it for them. While you want to do anything you can to help them achieve their goals, you also want them to learn how to be independent and how to work for what they want. Whether your high school student is looking for a summer job or your recent college grad is applying for his/her first full-time position, read our tips below to learn how you can help your child land a job without finding one for them.
- Introduce them to your networking contacts: One of the easiest ways you can help your children find work is by sharing your professional network with them. Is your son/daughter looking for a job in finance? Give them the email address for your friend from college who owns their own accounting firm.
- DO: Introduce your son/daughter to your networking contact via email, etc.
- DON’T: Set up a lunch between you, your friend, and your child. Instead, let your son/daughter do all of the leg work; all you need to do is make the first introduction.
- Help them edit their resume: Depending on the age of your children, they might be creating their very first resume, so they’ll probably need some help.
- DO: Share your resume with them for formatting purposes and help them edit their final product.
- DON’T: Write it for them! Instead, give them a basic template to use and allow them to create the content.
- Search job postings for viable opportunities: Share any relevant job postings you find with your son/daughter, but don’t force them to apply if they aren’t interested.
- DO: Search online job boards and email your child a list of viable opportunities.
- DON’T: Apply for them! You also shouldn’t make calls to potential employers on behalf of your son/daughter.
- Practice interviewing: Again, depending on the age of your children, they might be going on their very first job interviews, so they will probably need some help in this area.
- DO: Set up a mock interview with them and allow them to practice answering relevant interview questions.
- DON’T: Go on the interview with them! While you can help them prepare for an interview, you don’t need to hold their hand through the entire process.
- Be supportive: As any professional knows, searching for work is rarely easy, so it’s important to be supportive and encourage your children throughout the duration of their job search.
- DO: Encourage them to get back on the horse and try again if they do poorly in a job interview or miss out on a coveted job offer.
- DON’T: Scold or blame them if they do mess up. Instead, help them improve for their next round of job interviews.
