Job Interview Nightmares -- Mommy Says You Should Hire Me

Job Interview Nightmares -- Mommy Says You Should Hire Me Job Interview Nightmare #1:Your mommy intercedes on your behalf.This clip from Everybody Loves Raymond is comedy, obviously, but dont think it couldnt happen in real life.Helicopter Parents and Job InterviewsI have heard many stories straight from my HR contacts about helicopter parents who barge into the job interview process to help their offspring.Parents call hiring managers to recommend their kids, to ask for feedback on a childs interview performance, to beg for another chance after a bad interview, and to chastise interviewers for rejecting their precious snowflakes (or even taking too long to make a decision).I hope I dont have to explain why its a bad idea for a parent to get involved in your job interview. The primary reason is that it makes you, the job candidate, look like a child. This approach can also draw attention to family dysfunction that just makes everybody uncomfortable.Yes, this issue tends to be a Generation Y thing. In general, Gen Y-ers were raised with very involved parents and some have trouble letting go when its time for Junior to sink or swim on his own. Of course, its even more embarrassing if youre an older job seeker (like Robert in the clip) with a helicopter parent.Generally, these misguided parental interventions are well-intended. If youre a parent who wants to help your son or daughter get a good positionin a tough job market, there ARE better ways. Generation Y employees already have to fight stereotypes in the workplace, so dont make it any worse for your future superstar.And if youre a job seeker with an overbearing parent, please share this advice with Mom and Dad so that they know the best way to help.Share Your ConnectionsThe most valuable gift you can give to a job seeker is an introduction. If youre the parent or family member of someone looking for a new job, open up your Contacts list and make introductions to friends and business colleagues who may be able to share job leads.It is imperative that you do this in a professional way. Send an email or make a call, then let your kid take ownership of the new relationship. And when it comes to making the introduction, avoid something like this:Howard, Can you believe my little Ralphie is all grown up? Remember when he ran naked through the church at your wedding? Anyway, Id love it if you could hook him up with a gig as a trader. Ill owe you one!Instead, try to set a more promising tone with something like this:Hi Howard, Hope you are well! I wanted to reconnect you with my son Ralph, who just graduated with honors with a finance degree from Stern. He is currently looking for a position in sales and trading and mentioned that hed love to get your advice.Share Your WisdomAs a parent, you can provide guidance on job search essentials like how to network, how to handle an informational interview, and how to follow up on leads. But you must let the job seeker take the lead.Companies are looking to hire proactive, confident people with good communica tion skills. Let your child show that he can get and do the job without parental interference.Know When to Step BackIf your kid seems to be ignoring all of your suggestions, it may be because its hard to be objective about advice from your parents. Sometimes theyre hearing judgment, nagging, or a parental agenda even when you truly have their best interests at heart. It can also be hard for you to help if youve been away from the job market for a while.If you have the budget for it, you may want to consider hiring an outside expert to help your son or daughter. As a job interview coach, many of my clients are parents (as well as spouses, siblings, and friends) seeking help for a loved one who needs help polishing their interview presence. Sometimes, an objective third party can make a dramatic difference, even after youve talked until youre blue in the face, young lady.Dont Be a Sitcom MomWhatever you do, dont show up at the interviewers office with cookies and attitude, like Mari e Barone, the queen of overbearing mothers.