13 Sep Respect Your Children Enough to Let Them Apply & Attend Interviews Alone

Respect Your Children Enough

to Let Them Apply & Attend Interviews Alone

As a mom of 3 grown boys, I know firsthand how much you want to help your children, and quite honestly how sometimes, it would just be easier sometimes, to do it yourself!  But you have done an amazing job raising them, and you need to send them the message that you believe in them, so they know they can believe in themselves too!

Why Respecting Your Children’s Job Search Matters

1. Builds Confidence: Allowing your children to handle their job search helps build their self-confidence. By taking ownership of their career path, they learn to navigate challenges, which boosts their self-esteem and prepares them for future professional hurdles.
2. Fosters Independence: When children manage their own job applications, they develop critical skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and time management.
3. Encourages Accountability: Taking responsibility for their job search teaches children to be accountable for their actions and decisions.

Tips for Motivating and Guiding Your Children

1. Open Communication: Start with an open and supportive conversation about their career goals and aspirations. Understanding their interests and ambitions allows you to provide relevant advice and resources.
2. Listen and Really Hear.  This is your child’s life and journey- not yours.  Their decisions and choices may not be wise (in your opinion) or what you would choose.  But this is their life and their journey.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Help your children set achievable goals for their job search. Break down the process into manageable steps, such as updating their resume, crafting cover letters, and applying to a certain number of jobs each week.
4. Provide Resources: Equip them with the necessary tools for success. Share online job search platforms (Pnet, Career Junction and Careers24), resume-building websites (CANVA.com), and networking opportunities. Offering these resources shows your support while allowing them to take the lead.
5. Encourage Skill Development: Suggest relevant courses, workshops, or volunteering opportunities that can enhance their skills and make them more attractive candidates. This proactive approach will boost their confidence and readiness for the job market.
6. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate their progress, whether it’s securing an interview or receiving positive feedback. Celebrating small achievements motivates them to keep going and reinforces their efforts.
7. Be a Resource, Not a Dictator: Offer guidance and advice, but avoid taking over the process. Let them make their own decisions and learn from their experiences. Your role is to support, not control.
8. Teach Resilience: The job search can be challenging and may involve rejection. Help your children understand that setbacks are a natural part of the process and teach them how to stay motivated and resilient.
9. Network: If appropriate, introduce them to your professional network. Encourage them to reach out to family friends, or friends of parents for advice.  Don’t be disappointed if they favour this advice over yours.  It is all part of the process of them learning to be independent.
10. Encourage Self-Reflection: Encourage your children to reflect on their experiences and learn from them. Self-reflection helps them understand what works best for them and how they can improve.

Respecting your children enough to let them search and apply for jobs independently is an essential step in their development. By providing guidance, resources, and encouragement, you empower them to take charge of their career path while equipping them with valuable life skills. Embrace their journey with support and patience, and watch as they grow into confident, independent individuals ready to tackle their professional futures.