Imagine an interview room filled not just with the recruiter and the candidate, but also with the candidate’s parents present. Strange? Maybe for older generations. But in today’s world, that scenario is becoming less shocking.

According to a survey cited by the New York State Society of CPAs, among 1,428 Gen Z respondents currently job hunting, 26% admitted to bringing their parents to job interviews, and 70% openly said they asked their parents for help in finding a job.

So, what makes Gen Z do that?

According to The Wellbeing Project, Gen Z is projected to make up 1 in 3 workers worldwide by 2025. That means for the foreseeable future, Gen Z is the face of offices, shops, hospitals, and many other sectors.

As the successors to older generations, Gen Z brings with them a different level of confidence. In fact, Gen Z’s confidence is 14% lower than that of previous generations when entering the workforce. This isn’t just a statistic, it directly affects their resilience and determination in navigating the job search process.

The Anxiety and Uncertainty Gen Z Faces

A 2024 report by Deloitte Global revealed that 46% of Gen Z feel anxious and stressed almost all the time.

This isn’t surprising when we consider the world they’ve grown up in: a global pandemic, climate crisis, social media pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty. As a result, many Gen Z individuals experience deep anxiety, especially in unpredictable situations like job hunting.

What is already a stressful process becomes even more intimidating for Gen Z. For some, even just attending a job interview can trigger intense anxiety due to an overwhelming fear of failure. That’s why the phenomenon of bringing parents along to job interviews starts to make sense because it helps them feel more at ease.

But here’s the problem: parents won’t always be there.

While emotional support from parents during the job search is understandable, actually bringing them to an interview is another matter. Recruiters tend to see this as a “red flag” since the need to feel the presence of Mom or Dad “says a lot” about a candidate. 

The Need for Gen Z to Build Confidence

That’s why it’s so important for Gen Z to start practicing confidence, especially for key challenges like job interviews. Interviews can be incredibly intimidating, especially for those not used to speaking in front of others. Many end up nervous and unable to show their true potential in front of recruiters, even when they have valuable skills to offer.

The good news? Interview anxiety can be managed through practice. Because, as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

By preparing and practicing regularly, Gen Z can learn to manage their anxiety, speak more confidently, and make a stronger impression during interviews without needing a parental safety net.