The Interview: Recruiter and the Millennial

1946 Directed by Frank Tuttle

To answer the cliff hanging question in my last post... No, I am not advocating that employers provide protein bars and other healthy interview snacks for their millennial job candidates.  Let me, however, go on the record as stating that I'm strongly opposed to parents applying for job on behalf of their millennials, or attending their interviews. Yes, this really and unfortunately is happening.

In a 2013 NPR article, Michigan State polled 700+ employers looking to hire college grads.  Their survey found almost 1/3 of parents submitting resumes on behalf of their child, sometimes without their knowledge, and 1/4 of employers being contacted directly by a parent urging them to hire their namesake.  Surprising?  Well, how about this...  The Wall Street Journal shared the results of an Adecco survey finding that eight percent of recent college grads brought their parents along to an interview, and three percent had them in the same room with the hiring manager.

While companies within highly competitive industries may find it necessary to cater to millennials and their parents, I certainly do not believe this will become the norm.  In my many years of recruiting, I am fortunate enough to say that I haven't encountered such a situation but know I need to prepare for when the time does come.  

Me after Dan's interview or bad date.

As I mentioned in my last post, to understand and make millennial candidates, like Dan, who are bucking traditional social and professional norms more successful in interviews, I am suggesting the interview dos and don't below.  And just in case, I'm also including additional tips I consider "no-brainers," that just may not be to a millennial.

INTERVIEW DOS	INTERVIEW DON’TS
Invite mom to help prepare for an interview	Do not invite mom to an interview
Be well prepared	Do not forget the manager’s name, or the job title; refer to notes to answer questions; forget to make introductions; or do research on the company
Ask what the company’s hours are or expectations on in office time	Do not ask if it’s a requirement to show up for work five days a week
Ask about any additional requirements for the role	Do not ask if drug tests are regularly administered
Appear interested and engaged in conversation	Do not look at a phone clock and ask how long it will take
Shut phone off while at an interview	Do not call or text during an interview
Wear a moderate amount of perfume or cologne	Do not bathe in the scent du jour – less is more
Dress appropriately – ask a parent, family friend, or someone who works in a corporate environment what is correct interview attire	Do not wear a wrinkled “Got Snacks” t-shirt because it expresses creativity
Eat well before your interview	Do not, and I can't stress this enough, eat during an interview
Ask questions about the job	Do not ask if the company has an on staff masseuse
Keep conversation professional and appropriate	Do not talk about weekend plans that include any over indulgences resulting in inappropriate snapchats or Vine videos
Send a thank you note preferably by mail, email is also acceptable	Do not send a thank you via text or give “shout outs” on any social media platforms
Leave Fluffy at home	Don’t bring pets to an interview even if they’re really cute and fit in a purse.
Prepare for a conversation about salary	Do not ask, “Can my mom talk to you about my salary?”

NO-BRAINER TIPS
Also, DO NOT:  EAT; drink; wear sunglasses; show up late, hungover, tired, or sick; wear a hat, play with hair, bring list of reference; say, "you know" or "like" too much; mumble or use incorrect grammar; tell jokes; criticize a former company or boss; check notes; ask for time off.
 

I believe it's important to mentor millennials, and in some cases their parents, about professional and cultural expectations of the workplace, so they are prepared to be successful in interviews and, ultimately, as employees.  Though I'm not ready, and may never be, to advocate parents attending interviews with their college or MBA grads, I would encourage them to help prepare and motivate their millennial by identifying interview prep resources such as books, online articles and blogs like mine, family friends willing to have a conversation, and if financially feasible, an interview coach.  It also would be great if parents would let their millennials know that employers are interested in work not workout schedules.