Gen Z are bringing parents to job interviews, employers find them entitled, unprofessional: Survey

As Gen Z joins the workforce, it appears that Helicopter parenting is reaching a whole a new level. This is attributed to the fact that Gen Z job seekers are going to the extent of bringing their parents to interviews. Yes, you read it correctly.

A recent survey revealed that employers are making extra efforts to avoid hiring recent college graduates, showing a preference for older workers. In December, Intelligent, an online magazine centered on student life, conducted a survey of 800 managers, directors, and executives engaged in the hiring process. 

The findings indicated that 39% of employers deliberately steer clear of hiring recent college graduates for positions for which they are qualified.

Among the 800 individuals surveyed, a surprising one in five (19%) reported that a recent college graduate brought a parent with them to their job interview. However, this isn't the sole factor hindering employers from hiring Gen Z applicants. 

Another one in five employers noted that recent college graduates are often perceived as "unprepared" for interviews and exhibit unprofessional behaviour. Another 53% of employers noted that recent college graduates face challenges with maintaining eye contact, while 50% reported that they often request unreasonable compensation. 

Additionally, 47% observed that these graduates do not dress appropriately for interviews, and 21% mentioned their reluctance to turn on cameras during virtual interviews. However, Diane M. Gayeski, a professor of strategic communications at Ithaca College, suggested that these behaviours are not entirely the fault of the graduates, as many of these challenges may be influenced by circumstantial factors.

“Employers need to recognise that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, young people graduating from college had more than two years of disruption in their education as well as their social and professional development. Current seniors were in their freshman year at the height of Covid. They likely took classes online and were unable to participate in clubs, internships or summer jobs,” Gayeski said in the report. 

Moreover, 63% of those involved in the hiring process asserted that recent college graduates struggle with managing their workload, while 61% reported they are frequently tardy to work. 

Additionally, 59% claimed these graduates often miss deadlines, and 53% noted their habitual tardiness to meetings. Furthermore, employers expressed reservations about Gen Z's attitudes. 

Fifty-eight per cent indicated that Gen Z job seekers are easily offended and ill-prepared for the workforce in general. Additionally, 63% perceived them as entitled, 57% believed they lacked professionalism, 55% noted a difficulty in responding well to constructive feedback, and 52% claimed they demonstrated poor communication skills.

Out of those surveyed, 47% acknowledged that they had terminated the employment of a recent college graduate. Simultaneously, employers are going to great lengths to steer clear of hiring recent graduates. 

This includes providing more benefits for older employees (60%), offering higher salaries to older employees (59%), permitting older workers to engage in remote work or adopt a hybrid work environment (48%), and appointing older employees for roles they may be overqualified for (46%).