Could your parents help you choose the perfect graduate career?
The influence of your parents during the grad job hunt. Source: Shutterstock

Those who are about to graduate, or have just graduated, will feel the competitive job hunt fast approaching.

With grad markets full of eager individuals who want to get the best return on their time, money and study investments, it may seem like a daunting process.

And so graduate life begins… Source: Giphy

That’s why the team over at Real Business took a closer look at the ways graduates coped during their early career decision-making process.

One factor that stood out during their analysis was the comfort of parental advice.

As they state, “Parents maintain a strong influence on the choices their child makes; whether this is helping them choose which subjects to study at GCSE or which university to apply for. So, it should come as no surprise that Millennials are taking advice from their parents on which job offers to accept.”

Many businesses are latching onto the persuasive power of parents and using it to their advantage.Outlined by Onrec as an important factor for recruiters to note, companies have been advised to set up a ‘parents portal’ for tailored information to catch the attention of prospective employee relatives.

One CEO who supports the involvement of the applicant’s parents is Will Shepherd from Cohesion. “We surveyed the parents of graduates we had placed in roles over the last year and found that almost half (49%) of respondents had advised their child on whether to accept or decline a job offer.”

Do we need job advice from our parents? Source: Giphy

So, what does this mean for you, your parents and your future career?

Some of you may view this as a smart idea. Before rushing into any contracts and agreeing to an employer’s terms and conditions, a second opinion might be worthwhile (especially from people who know you better than anyone else would).

It would offer you alternative angles and approaches and could highlight important holes in the job role you may not have spotted before.

But by seeking your parent’s opinion, you may feel as though you’re abandoning a slice of independence.

Not everyone is a huge fan of their parents… Source: Giphy

University is a life-changing experience for most, and you may also feel you wish to continue along a solo path. If you’ve moved out of your parents’ house and enjoy being self-dependent, relying on their decisions about where you should take your career could feel like a huge step backwards.

Alternatively, the fact that a potential employer has taken the initiative to respect your parents’ point of view is a valiant representation of their company culture. By acknowledging the value of your loved ones and respecting that a new job is a commitment that requires careful consideration, it could be a great organisation to choose.

There’s no harm in getting a second, third, or even fourth opinion about your graduate career choices.

For some, friends can also be considered key family members – so it doesn’t always have you be your parents handing out the advice!

Do you have a B.F.F with great advice? Source: Giphy

Whether or not you choose to listen to the opinions of others around you, it’s always wise to seek feedback from the employer during the interview process.. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always keep the door open to other potential roles.

And as the saying goes: as long as you seek, you shall find.

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