Gen Z's 'Disrespectful' Job Interview Trend: Are Parents Killing Their Kids' Chances?

A recruiter has called out a trend she has witnessed on the rise when it comes to young Aussies who are looking to get their first jobs - and she says it is killing their chances.

Tammie Christofis Ballis, specialist recruiter and career coach at Realistic Careers, was recently at a McDonald’s in Sydney when she saw a teenager being interviewed for a job, while their mum sat a few tables behind.

Sharing her thoughts on the matter in a recent TikTok video, Ms Ballis said the interview went for "not even three minutes", with the child’s parent sitting nearby the whole time.

Coming from a background in hospitality, Ms Ballis said that having a parent turn up to an interview is "disrespectful" of the business, noting it also shows the "child is not ready to work".

She noted that she had previously done a video discussing this topic and was "ripped apart" in the comment section because "people think it is normal to bring your parents to an interview".

Speaking to news.com.au, Ms Ballis reiterated that having a parent at a job interview shows that the child is not ready to work.

Recruiter calls out 'disrespectful' interview trend

"Parents forget that their child working a job at a business. It’s an establishment with their own rules, policies and procedures and it is not up to the parent to supervise the interview," she said.

"This is disrespecting the business and its staff."

The recruiter said when this happens in an interview process it gives the impression that the child needs their parent present to feel comfortable, which presents a clear issue as the parent can’t turn up to every shift the child has if they were to get the job.

Ms Ballis’ video sparked a fiery debate in the comment section, attracting over 480 responses from people unable to agree on whether it was appropriate or not.

There were many who didn’t see the issue with a parent tagging along to offer support.

"I waited near both my kids first interviews and they both have and held jobs since age 14. Sometimes they need support to take the first few steps. They obviously have someone to support them while they learn the job so what’s wrong with having someone support them while they get a job?" one person said.

Another noted there was a difference between a parent sitting next to them during the interview and sitting a few tables back but still being in the area.

Is it OK for a parent to attend their child's job interview?

Some people claiming to have worked at major fast food chains said it was possible the business had requested the parent be present.

"As a former Maccas manager from years ago, we encouraged parents to stay," one said.

"As a current KFC manager - we do the same. If the child is 15 or under, we have to encourage a parent or guardian to join. No one interviews the parent, I think they’re just there for moral support," another wrote.

Some parents even chimed in to claim they were specifically asked to be in attendance during job interviews for their children.

However, not everyone shared the same experience.

One commenter claiming to have worked at the fast food chain for five years said they had never heard of parents being asked to join interviews.

"I interviewed at 14 all by myself. If your child can’t even have the independence to walk in and have an interview by themselves I dont know how you expect them to be able to talk to or deal with difficult customers," they said.

Ms Ballis shared that, in her own experience, she knows managers of fast food chains who have rejected teenagers for bringing a parent to the interview.

"Fast food isn’t for the faint-hearted, so they need to be mature enough and resilient enough," she said.

Other commenters agreed with the recruiter, with one claiming that having a parent at an interview shows the child is not "confident enough" to be getting a job.

They warned it could also signal that the parent will want to be included in all things relating to their child’s work, which would be "inappropriate".

Another person claimed they "don’t hire anyone who needs their parents to come along with them", even going as far as to claim they wouldn’t offer them the job if they noticed their parents had given them a lift to the interview.

"They should be able to get themselves to work to instead of relying on others. I’m here to run a business, not babysit some child who still needs mum and dad to hold their hand," they said.

One added: "I had parents dropping in their child’s CV. No child even in attendance. That’s a firm no for any future employment."

Ms Ballis noted that, of course, if a parent feels their child isn’t safe, then they shouldn’t be encouraging them to go to an interview.

"Safety is more important, however, fast food interviews are conducted in the dining room in front of patrons in a usually safe environment," she said.

"I believe the parents are doing their children a disservice. These kids grow up and think that its OK for mum and dad to go to their adult interviews, call in for them when they are sick etc.

"It’s not on and they’re going to be beaten with more independent and competent candidates."