Has your graduate recently finished college and is now struggling to find their footing in the job market? Supporting them effectively during this transition requires a careful balance of guidance and independence. Here’s how to navigate this:
Helping vs. Doing: Review your graduate’s resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for errors, but avoid writing them yourself. Offer constructive feedback and encourage them to maintain their own voice in their applications.
Preparation vs. Execution: Help with interview preparation and conduct mock interviews, but let your student handle the real interviews and applications independently.
Mentor vs. Partner: Provide advice and share your experience as a mentor, but don’t become too involved. Treat the situation as if you were mentoring a friend’s child—offering guidance without taking over.
Introduce vs. Connect: Facilitate introductions to your network, but let your student take charge of scheduling meetings and following up.
Encourage vs. Hover: Offer support and encouragement while allowing your student the space to manage their job search on their own.
For more insights on balancing your role in your graduate’s job search, check out Beth Hendler-Grunt’s article, “Jobs for Recent Grads: How Parents Can Help (or Hinder)”
