How To Gently Encourage Independence

If you’ve got a recent college graduate living at home, searching for his or her first “real” job, you know how difficult the job hunt can be these days. In the interest of getting your kids off the sofa and out of the house, here’s some of my advice…

• Clean up the online profiles. Potential employers will check your new grad’s profile on Facebook and other social media sites. Advise your job-seekers to remove images and language that might give recruiters pause. Coach them on how to use sites like LinkedIn to create a more professional online persona.

• Network. Your son or daughter might be tired of hearing, “It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know,” but it’s still true. If you have useful contacts, introduce your children. Otherwise, nudge them toward making an effort to connect with people in their chosen field, and advise them on how to act.

• Work for free. This may seem counterintuitive when you want your children to start making money, but internships and volunteer work can teach them useful skills while introducing them to the world of work, and can bring them into contact with a wider range of networking contacts who may be able to help them in their fledgling careers. I can’t over emphasize how powerful this strategy can be, especially if your child wants to break into a difficult industry.

•Update the wardrobe. Remind your kids that jeans and T-shirts won’t make the grade in most workplaces, especially when they’re interviewing there. Help them pick out some sophisticated, professional-looking outfits so they can go out into the world with style.

*As a side note, you have probably been handling their tax filings if they were required to file at all. Make sure they are on the right track to filing themselves, whether that means referring them to your preparer or helping them find the best means to file for their situation.