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Sunday, August 29, 2010
'Parent Trap' Snares Recent Grads
College graduates who end up back at home while seeking employment often feel bossed around by their parents. That's why job search consultant Ellen Gordon Reeves tells them time and again, "Get parents off your back and on your side."
Grads must learn to take charge of their job search, engaging parents in constructive ways. Reeves tells grads to give them assignments:
"Parents may be helpful in providing feedback, but if they can't be objective they can connect you to professionals who can do cover letter and résumé critiques or mock interviews."
Parents may be able to provide grads with introductions to contacts through work, church, and social and civic activities.
A human resources professional at mom or dad's office might agree to meet and talk to the grad about what interviewers look for.
Initial contacts aren't necessarily about job leads, says Reeves, author of "Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? The Ultimate Guide to Finding, Landing, and Keeping Your First Real Job" (Workman Publishing Co., 2009). The goal is to become poised, polished and ready to act when an opportunity arises.
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