If you know anything about me you know that I give job
search training classes. I have a series
of about eight or so that I bring out on the road. Most of them are free to the
public and come with a boatload of free worksheets and examples. The classes
are usually full of people who have attended such classes before and most
likely want to learn one or two different
things that might make their resume(s) stand out
or make their interviews more polished and professional.
Another thing that you might know about me is that as a
former corporate trainer I grew up designing and implementing learning and
development programs. One thing about
teaching adults is that they can’t stand boring speeches and will sit in a
class wondering WIIFM (what’s in it for me).
If I just stand there and drone on about the ins and outs of job search,
all they’ll hear is the sounds the teacher made in the Charlie Brown television specials..
Because I know that time is of the essence in adult learning, anyone who comes
to my classes has to work. They complete
worksheets, participate in role-plays, talk in small groups or start to create
their LinkedIn profiles.
I’ve noticed something lately in the classes that is
starting to concern me; many times a young adult cannot attend the training and
will send his or her mother (usually) or father in his place. The parent takes copious notes and completes
all the exercises on behalf of their child. They then ask for extra materials so
that they can bring a fresh set home to their son or daughter. The kids aren’t at work as mom
and dad will tell me. So where are they?
Sometimes a parent will tell me that they are attending because they can’t
stand that their child can’t find work (and the “child” won’t attend the free
training on their own). I can understand if your child is working or still commuting when the session starts at 7:00 pm. I am a parent and if this were the case I would step in to help too.
What’s going on? If you are a parent and are attending training for your child, why?
