1 in 5 Gen Zers Say Parents Contact Employers on Their Behalf [Career Co-Piloting Report]

Helicopter parenting has officially entered the workplace. 

New data from Zety reveals that 67% of Gen Z workers regularly receive career advice from their parents, and for many, that support goes far beyond advice.

Coined “Career Co-Piloting,” this growing trend describes parents taking a hands-on role in their child’s early career — actively helping write résumés, contacting employers, preparing for interviews, and even negotiating job offers.

Key Findings: 

44% say their parents helped write or edit their résumé/CV.
1 in 5 say a parent has contacted a recruiter or employer on their behalf.
20% have had a parent join a job interview (15% in person, 5% virtually).
28% report parents helping with pay or benefits negotiations (18% offered advice; 10% negotiated directly with the employer).

View the Career-Co-Piloting Report here: https://zety.com/blog/career-copiloting-report

With Gen Z continuing to reshape workplace norms, this trend raises questions about independence, professionalism, and how employers should respond when parents step into the hiring process.