5 Pieces of Bad Job Search Advice Parents Give to Their Kids

5 Pieces of Bad Job Search Advice Parents Give to Their Kids5 Pieces of Bad Job Search Advice Parents Give to Their KidsParents typically want the best for their kids. They really do. But sometimes, even the best of parents offer their kids the worst of advice, especially when it comes to job hunting.If youre a parent of a job seeker, try to avoid dishing out these five pieces of bad job search advice to your kids. (And if youre a job seeker, be wary if your parents offer these tips to you)Here are five pieces of bad job search advice parents give to their kidsBad Advice 1 Printing out your resume and mailing it in will get you noticed.Back in the day, purchasing quality resume paper (like one with a linen finish) showed finesse. Today, itll just get your application tossed in the trash. The vast majority of employers prefer job seekers to submit their applications online. After all, when was the last time that an employer actually requested mailed job applications?So save yourself a trip to your local office supply store, skip printing your resume, and send in your application electronically- just like the directions on the job description require you to do.Bad Advice 2 If you really want the job, you should deliver your application personallyThis well-intentioned job search advice could kompetenzly get you into a whole lot of trouble When employers addresses were listed in job descriptions, it was thought that if you showed up, application in hand, it conveyed to a potential employer that you really wanted the job. Not to mention, before the Internet, hand delivering your application materials was the only way to apply. Today, not so much.With a deluge of job applications to go through for just one job, having someone show up (unexpectedly, no less) to an employers place of work armed with their resume and cover letter could very likely get you escorted off the premises. Even if you desperately want the job, its really just better to stay at home.Bad Advice 3 You havent heard back from that employer yet? Keep on callingThis piece of advice isnt actually all that bad or incorrect. Its a good idea for job seekers to follow up with a potential employer after having submitted their job application. You never know if the system glitched and your application didnt completely come through, or if an employer accidentally deleted your resume. Following up a week or two after your submission is a smart move for job seekers, but its how you follow up that can turn a good idea into a bad move.A short-and-sweet email reiterating your desire for the job and letting an employer know that youre available to answer any questions is okay- demanding to know the status of the hiring process and whats taking them so long to make up their mind isnt. So be professional in your follow-up, and limit it to 1-2 emails spaced out over the course of a month- period.Bad Advice 4 Why are you applying for such a low-paying job?Because youre priceless in their eyes, pa rents want you to earn boatloads of money right out of the gate. The reality is that youll most likely have to work your way up the ladder, starting with an entry-level job, especially after graduation.Try to explain that the experience youll gain working in your position will help make you more marketable (i.e., youll make more money) with each subsequent job you get hired for in the future. And while parents might have a point that you might have some serious student loans to pay off, youll be able to pay them down with your job and eventually be debt-free at some point in the future.Bad Advice 5 What do you mean, you want to work from home? Its better to have an office job.Not really. Telecommuting has risen 115% over the last decade, and is showing no signs of stopping. Remote or telecommuting jobs are being offered by top companies across the U.S. and the world, allowing people the chance to have work-life balance. Flexible jobs are offered in virtually every industry, and even jobs that have to be performed in a more traditional workplace can still have flexibility built into them.Plus, remote jobs are just as safe as any traditional in-office position. Job seekers who want to keep their competitive edge are investing in their soft skills, the traits that employers look for in remote workers, in order to compete in a more global job market.