Time to Launch

Time to Launch: How to Encourage Your Twenty-Something to Engage in their Career Journey

In the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 56% of adults aged 18 to 34 are still residing under their parent’s roof. The number of young adults living at home has hovered between 49% and the current, 56%, over the past four decades. Depending on your own thoughts and life stage, this could be either a good or bad thing.

In 1980, 64% of 21-year-olds were clocking in full-time hours, a stark contrast to the mere 39% seen in 2021. Financial independence seems to be a distant dream for many, with only a quarter of individuals in this age group meeting the criteria in 2021 – an income of at least 150% of the poverty line – compared to a more promising 42% in 1980.

Your Role as the Parent

As the parent of a twenty-something living at home, you may have mixed emotions. Spending time with your dear child is something to savor. On the other hand, it may feel a lot like having a freeloading roommate who comes and goes as they please without having consideration for those paying the bills.

Just a heads-up: So, here’s the deal with our boomerang kiddos. When you come back, free rent is on the house for three months while you hustle toward landing a full-time gig. All we ask in return is for you to respect our schedules, clean up after yourself (yes, that includes doing your own dishes and laundry), and chip in with the household chores whenever you can. We’ve had two adult children go through this – one couldn’t wait to spread their wings, and the other needed a nudge the size of a mountain.

Your role as a parent is to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with this transitional phase of life for your child AND have boundaries around your own expectations in your phase of life.

Navigating the maze of career choices, academic pursuits, and personal aspirations can be overwhelming for young adults.

As a seasoned career coach with a passion for guiding individuals toward fulfilling careers, I’ve compiled some insights and strategies to help you support your child on their journey to finding career direction and success.

Help Them Help Themselves

Help them Define their Path

Before embarking on any career journey, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of their career goals and aspirations. Much like any other goal-setting process, defining a clear path significantly enhances the chances of success. This blog post, Define Your Path, outlines how they might get started on this first step.

Encourage them to Research Career Fields

Career Research isn’t just a preliminary step; it’s a compass guiding them through the dynamic landscape of their intended industry. Keeping abreast of the latest trends, advancements, and shifts within a career field ensures that they are competitive in the job market. This blog post, Research Your Career Field, includes a worksheet to help them with this step.

Support them in Crafting an Effective Resume

Fundamentally resumes have changed very little over the past several decades as the goal of showcasing skills and experiences in an easily readable format remains the same. There are, however, new tools being used to review and select resumes which makes the process of writing a resume much more advanced.

This blog post, Crafting Your Resume, covers how to optimize resumes for automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and leverage generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) to fine-tune a resume and cover letter that matches job requirements and industry standards.

Assist them in Seeking Expert Guidance

When navigating the job market, seeking guidance from experts can be a game-changer. This could mean connecting with other professionals or a professional career coach.

Encourage them Set Goals for Applying

Setting goals for the amount of time they are spending on a job search can help them stay on track. Encourage them to visit these job sites and set up notifications for positions that match their goals. Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or simply open a browser and type “jobtitle + job (or internship) + sites.” You will be amazed at the results.

Be Sure they are Applying Strategically

Applying strategically not only saves you time and energy but also increases your chances of success. Instead of feeling disheartened by the lack of responses, focus on making each application count. By investing in quality over quantity, you’ll not only boost your chances of landing interviews but also preserve your confidence and motivation throughout the job search process.

Take them Shopping for a Professional Outfit (if you can)

When it comes to making a lasting impression in professional settings like job interviews, networking events, or career fairs, attire plays a crucial role. Dressing appropriately not only demonstrates a respect for the occasion but also conveys professionalism and confidence.

Practice Interviewing with Them

Waiting until they have a scheduled interview to begin interview preparation will only cause added stress for everyone in the household. And don’t let them fall into the trap of believing their communication skills alone will guarantee success. Instead, offer to role-play for interviews. Find a list of commonly asked interview questions and think through responses to each one. Have them consider how their experiences and skills align with the job requirements and company culture.

Remember, the journey to finding career direction and success is unique for each individual. By providing support, guidance, and encouragement, you can empower your child to navigate this journey with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

How I Can Help

Believe me, I know all too well that coaching your own child can often look like nagging rather than supporting. Authentic Career + Life Design is here to get your young adult on the path to success.