Gen Z job seekers bring parents to interviews for salary talks and tests

A growing number of Gen Z job seekers are enlisting their parents as active participants in the hiring process, with 77% reportedly having brought a parent to an interview. Beyond offering moral support, these parents are stepping into roles typically reserved for the candidates themselves—negotiating salaries, taking hiring tests, and even assisting with career strategy [1]. This shift highlights a broader trend in how younger job seekers are redefining the traditional interview experience, placing greater emphasis on familial involvement and mentorship in the transition from education to employment.

The practice of involving parents in job interviews is not new, but the scale at which it is occurring among Gen Z is notable. Unlike previous generations, who may have sought parental advice post-interview, today’s job seekers are bringing their parents along from the outset. In some cases, the parent handles key parts of the conversation, including salary negotiations. Employers are now faced with the challenge of determining whether these parental inputs reflect the candidate’s own skills and ambitions or are shaped by external influence. This raises concerns about the authenticity of the interview process and the accuracy of employer assessments [1].

The trend also suggests that Gen Z job seekers may be approaching the hiring process with a heightened sense of caution and strategic thinking. Given the competitive job market, young applicants are seeking every possible advantage, whether through leveraging family experience or tapping into parental networks. However, this approach may also reflect a lack of confidence in navigating complex negotiations or assessments independently. The reliance on parental guidance may indicate broader generational shifts in how young people perceive career development, mentorship, and the role of family in professional life.

From an employer’s perspective, this trend presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it demonstrates that Gen Z candidates are proactive in seeking support and are unafraid to use available resources to secure employment. On the other, it may complicate the assessment of a candidate’s individual capabilities and communication style. Employers may need to adjust their hiring strategies to account for this dynamic, perhaps by incorporating more direct evaluations of the candidate’s skills, rather than relying solely on verbal interviews.

As the labor market continues to evolve, the increasing involvement of parents in the hiring process underscores the changing nature of career development among younger workers. Whether this trend is a temporary adaptation or a more permanent shift remains to be seen, but it is clear that Gen Z is reshaping expectations around job interviews, negotiation, and professional autonomy.

Source: [1] 77% of Gen Z job seekers have brought a parent to an interview—they're even getting them to negotiate pay rises and take their hiring tests (https://fortune.com/2025/08/14/gen-z-job-seekers-have-brought-a-parent-to-interview-research-reveals/)