How to help your child find a job

If your son or daughter is having a hard time getting motivated to find gainful employment then we have a few helpful suggestions to get them off the couch.  It does not matter if they are a college graduate still at home or someone who has never left, unemployed adults living with parents can cause stress on many levels.  So if you have ever asked yourself; My son won’t get a job what do I do?  Here are a few suggestions:

Motivation

I get it, a college graduate is not going to want to flip burgers after earning the college degree.  Constant suggestions that they just go out and get any job is not going to help.  Small steps are needed to get them off the couch and into a regular routine is a great first step.  Volunteer work with something they are passionate about to help get them involved and engaged (music, pets, art, sports, even video games, Big brothers and similar organizations need mentors to just to spend time with younger kids).  We have seen many come to us that have had high GPAs, that were dedicated students, have issues being motivated to pound the pavement and find a job.  Finding a job is a full time job.  They must understand that the job is not going to find them. Set the expectation that this will be hard work.

Overcoming past failures

Part of the lack motivation stems from past failures (resumes that go nowhere or failed interviews).  The other might be the type of job that is available hardly motivates them to get out of bed.  Besides volunteer work, as mentioned above, internships (paid or otherwise) can help them land key experience and confidence.  As far as dealing with rejection is part of the job search process.  Being prepared for an interview is a must.  When you have that opportunity you must be ready.  Fixing flaws and knowing how to answer “tell me about yourself” is key.  Most interviews are decided in the first 5 minutes before you even get in to past experience or skills.  Mock interviews practice and learning how to spin a negative into a positive is one of many ways to having a great interview.

The hard truth

Tough love is sometimes required and it’s an issue for this generation.  The jobless rate for 20 – 25 year olds is 8.1%.   If your child has everything they need, then what is going to motivate them to get off the couch?  Are you enabling your son or daughter?  Enable your child by doing a volunteer project together.  Take them to work.  Find ways to get them off the couch and engaged.  Have them apply for jobs they do not want just for the practice and routine. 

Avoid these common interview mistakes

The number one is not being prepared.  Be ready to ask questions about the company and how you would fit in.  You must be prepared to answer “tell me about yourself” or you will fail the interview.  Number two is poor verbal communication.  You need to observe the interviewer’s style and try to match them.  Do not tell the interviewer more than they need to know and remember they are not your friend.  Absolutely no use of foul language or slang words, before, during or after the interview.  Make sure your dress to impress.  A first impression is so important.

In summary

You can only lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink is a wise old saying.  Encourage them and help push them when necessary but most are a product of their generation.  Hopefully this helps make the couch a little less crowded.

Most hiring decision are made in the first five minutes of the interview.  You must be prepared for these three common interview questions to give you a dynamic first five minutes.

An Interview Coach can help you avoid fatal flaws that will make you fail the interview.  Win the interview with an interview coach
Call MVPSource today at 704-837-8203

MVPSource Interview Coaching Services

MVP’s Complete Interview Preparation Program helps you better prepare for the screening and interview process.  We will help you develop examples of past accomplishments and how to effectively communicate them; how to address the “Tell me about yourself” question; how to answer standard interview questions while avoiding common pitfalls; how to understand the type of interview you will be having;  how to develop strong questions to ask the interviewer; how to effectively communicate your answers in a STAR format; how to differentiate yourself from other candidates; and how to help you prepare so that you are confident going into an interview process.