"Boss, I'm the Mother of Employee OOO"... Parents Getting Involved in Their Children's Workplaces [World is Z Gold]

Recently, in the United States, a phenomenon known as "career co-piloting," where parents actively participate in their children's job search process, has been spreading. Typical examples include parents assisting with resume writing and revisions, contacting employers directly, or getting involved in salary negotiations. This trend is interpreted as a result of increased uncertainty about the future, combined with corporate cultures that demand early performance from new hires.

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On February 23 (local time), Forbes, a U.S. business magazine, reported on the trend of parents intervening in their children's job search, noting, "In the past, this was called 'helicopter parenting.'" Helicopter parents refer to those who are overly involved, even taking care of tasks their children could handle themselves, such as cooking, cleaning, or paying bills. Forbes explained that this kind of over-involvement is now appearing in the workplace as well.

In fact, a significant portion of Generation Z is receiving various forms of assistance from their parents regarding work life. According to a report released on February 18 by the job search platform Zety, 67% of Generation Z workers said they "regularly receive career advice from their parents." The survey was conducted with 1,001 Generation Z respondents.

The scope of support was broad. 44% of respondents said their parents helped them write or revise their resumes, and 20% reported that their parents accompanied them to job interviews. Additionally, 28% said they received help from their parents during salary or benefits negotiations, while 56% said their parents visited their workplace in informal situations.

This phenomenon is also understood to be linked to uncertainty in the employment environment. Last year, the average monthly job growth in the United States was 49,000, the lowest level in the past 20 years. As the labor market slows and the employment burden on young people increases, parental involvement has expanded compared to the past.

Jasmine Escalera, a career expert, evaluated that this trend has some positive aspects. Parental advice can instill confidence in children taking their first steps in society and help them set a direction for their careers. She said, "If parents act as strategic supporters, they can help young professionals understand compensation systems, reduce mistakes, and express themselves effectively."

However, she emphasized that excessive parental involvement should be avoided. Escalera pointed out, "If parents contact employers directly or participate in the interview process, it may raise questions about the applicant's independence, professionalism, and preparedness," adding, "Companies evaluate not only job skills, but also judgment and autonomy." She explained that while advice on mock interviews or negotiation strategies can be helpful, directly intervening in the hiring process crosses the line. She added that parents should shift their role from solving problems on behalf of their children to helping them make judgments and negotiate independently.

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Meanwhile, similar to the United States, the youth employment market in Korea is also facing challenges. According to the "January Employment Trends" announced by the National Data Office on February 11, the number of employed people aged 15 and older last month was 27,986,000, an increase of 108,000 compared to the same month last year. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 stood at a relatively high 69.2%, but this is mainly attributed to an increase in employment among older age groups.

In contrast, the number of employed youth (aged 15 to 29) decreased by 175,000, marking a decline for 39 consecutive months. The youth employment rate fell by 1.2 percentage points to 43.6%. The spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and resulting work automation, the reduction of open recruitment and expansion of rolling recruitment, and hiring practices that favor experienced workers over new graduates have all contributed to the decrease in youth jobs.

As the employment environment remains challenging, the so-called "kangaroo tribe" phenomenon, where young people live with their parents due to economic burdens, continues. There is an analysis that delayed job preparation and economic independence are leading to prolonged family support structures. In Canada, young adults who return to live with their parents are called "boomerang kids," while in China, adults who are financially dependent on their parents are referred to as "full-time children." The phenomenon of adult children cohabiting with their parents has become a global trend.

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