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Working for my dad
How do I bring up in an interview that my current boss is my dad . I don’t usually mention it unless I’m asked but should I be the one to bring it up and if so what do I say . It’s a legit job my dad is tougher on me than the rest of the employees,. I feel like once they know my dad is my boss they pretty much shut the door on me . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Kelley Shields, Career Happiness Coach
Work shouldn't be a 4-letter word.
98
09/21/20 at 8:48PM UTC
Ugh, ok, that makes sense. I would not bring it up proactively still - I would wait and see if someone asks. If you end up in that position again (which honestly seems inappropriate for the interviewer), I think I would tack on some of what you said - but not in a justifying tone of voice, in a matter of fact tone of voice. "Oh, he's my dad, but even he would tell you that he doesn't cut me any slack - and holds me to a higher standard than other employees. " And I like the comment above about stating the benefits of being in a family business and think it would be great to add that in - how you've learned how to view how employee contributions impact the bottom line, how employee roles advance the overall company mission, how you've gotten a unique view on the concerns of management and business owners. (Even if you have to go talk to your Dad now and have him share some of that info with you!)
Anonymous
09/21/20 at 9:21PM UTC
These are all great ideas and I will definitely implement them in my next interview . Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
Kelley Shields, Career Happiness CoachWork shouldn't be a 4-letter word.
98
09/21/20 at 7:14PM UTC
Is there some reason they would know he's your dad from your resume?
Anonymous
09/21/20 at 8:41PM UTC
I live in a small town so everyone knows everyone and what business they own, who their best friend from highschool was and the dog they had in the 2nd grade etc.
In my last interview the interviewer asked so who owns “business name” and I responded with my dads name and she said so how are you related to “dads name” and I answered he is my father and that was the end of that . She shut me down as if the interview was over as soon as I said he was my dad.
KX123
68
09/21/20 at 6:38PM UTC
There may be value in addressing the elephant in the room from the beginning of the interview. Call out how the experience working for a family business has provided an intimate view on how all contributions impact the bottom line - you have a unique insight that other candidates may not. You are excited about the opportunity to applying those skills to their business.
Anonymous
09/21/20 at 8:44PM UTC
That was my challenge with being the one to bring it up i didn’t know how to seem like a good thing rather than bad ... Brinnging it to their attention in a positive light is a great idea I’m going to do that . Thank you !
Anonymous
09/21/20 at 3:40PM UTC
I agree . I never bring it up . I live in a small town so everyone knows everything about each other . The last interview I had they asked me directly who owns the company you work for and I answered with my dads name and the lady said so how are you related to him ? So I said my father . She looked down and didn’t say anything else about it but it seemed like I had lost the interview from that one question .
Diane
50
09/21/20 at 3:20PM UTC
Agreed!
Diane
50
09/21/20 at 2:37PM UTC
Why do you need to tell an interviewer at all? It's a legitimate company and you have a legitimate job with certain responsibilities. Is it possible the companies you interviewed with in the past think you'll leave to go back to the family business once you've learned what you need? Just a couple of thoughts.
Christina HallCareer Coach & Executive Leadership Coach
41
09/21/20 at 3:02PM UTC
I agree with Diane - unless they ask specifically I wouldn't bring it up!
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