How to kick start a career and independence for your child

A look at how young adults can get the best start in their working life.

As your child leaves education, whether this is from school or university, it can be a daunting time for parents. Whether your child has chosen the academic route or not is irrelevant, as more often than not graduates return home having completed university.

Finding the right career is extremely challenging for many people, particularly in the current economic climate.

Parents of unemployed children feel it is their duty to motivate their children to find a stable place of employment that will bring success, but this process in itself can be challenging.

As a parent, you should explain to your child that they need to prioritise finding work so that they can become an adult with a stable lifestyle and home. 

Children need to find income to support themselves and often being unemployed is a de-motivating and stressful experience. Becoming part of a team in the workforce can increase self-confidence, self-motivation and a sense of purpose – skills any parent wants their child to have.

To increase your child’s motivation during the period of unemployment, you should devise a plan together. Perhaps agree that they need to apply for at least five jobs each day or should revisit employers they have applied to previously to show they are eager for an opportunity.

Encourage your child to create a goal and ensure that you remind them of it regularly so that the search for employment has a focused and worthwhile purpose.

If your child is spending money which they don’t have then emphasise how a job could alter this situation and place job applications in key areas of the home to act as a constant reminder.

By creating realistic steps towards their dream goal, progress will begin to occur, leading to your child finding employment. Any job of interest should be applied for and you should always emphasise that your child needs to be persistent if they want to be successful.

Once your child has found income, suggest they should start saving for a deposit on a house or flat.

Moving out of the family home is a healthy progression for a young adult and, whilst you don’t want to make them feel unwanted, it is important you encourage this change.

Remember that the age which children move out will vary and a strong financial base is needed for the process to be successful.

The housing market can be unpredictable and expensive, so you and your child need to review the options available to make moving out more realistic and viable.

Your child needs to have the necessary funds for moving out so make sure they save their wages rather than spending them immediately.

Finding your child employment is the first stage to giving them independence and moving out of the family home will naturally facilitate this.

It may take time, so be patient and do your best to guide your child into a career that will offer them job satisfaction and the chance to stand on their own two feet.

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