Despite fleeing the nest, the majority of UK workers are still reliant on their mums’ wisdom throughout their careers, more than half (54.6 per cent) admitting that their mum has helped them to decide whether to accept a job offer or not. This is according to the latest research from the UK’s leading independent job board, CV-Library, which comes just in time for Mother’s Day.
The study, which asked 1,000 UK workers to discuss how their mum has influenced their career, finds that more than half of Brits (51.9 per cent) rely on their mother to help prepare them for working life. When asked what their mum has done to help them, respondents cite that their mum helps them to:
1. Understand the importance of taking on work experience (53.6 per cent)
2. Decide which subjects to study (38.6 per cent)
3. Choose which career path to take (35.3 per cent)
4. Excel during their academic studies (22.3 per cent)
5. Prepare for interviews (21.5 per cent)
6. Complete application forms (21.1 per cent)
7. Deal with a situation where they’ve been mistreated at work (20.4 per cent)
8. Write their CV and cover letter (17.3 per cent)
9. Decide whether it’s time to make a career change (13 per cent)
10. Hand in their notice (8.3 per cent)
Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, comments, ‘From making the right choices throughout your education, to securing an interview and landing the job, the world of work can be difficult to navigate.
‘It’s clear from our data that many workers rely on their mother for help on making these all important decisions and it’s no wonder. For most of us our mum is a very influential part of our lives, and it is therefore unsurprising that so many professionals are turning to their mum for career advice and support in their working lives.’
Furthermore, the survey discovers that nearly a quarter of workers (21.7 per cent) admit that their mum influences their career path, with one in ten (11.3 per cent) opting to follow that of their mother.
Professionals were asked what their mum had taught them about working life, more than a third (39.3 per cent) cite that they were taught to have a good work ethic, followed by the importance of having a good job (15.5 per cent) and that in order to climb the career ladder you have to work hard (14.3 per cent).
Respondents were also encouraged to share stories of how their mum has gone above and beyond to support them in their working life. Below CV-Library has picked some of the top responses:
· Ben from Manchester: My mum supported my decision to be an actor and she even drove me all over the country to attend auditions.
· Sam from Brookwood: I’m 33 and my mum is still supporting me and helping me to take the next step in my career. She often sends me suggestions of jobs she thinks I might like and gives me pep talks before interviews.
· Scott from Reading: My mum paid for me to take a college course so I could advance my career. I couldn’t have done it without her help.
· Linda from Surrey: From the age of 15 my mum encouraged me to go out to work so I could save up to buy the things I wanted. She taught me the value of money and working hard for what you want.
· Jay from Croydon: My mum encouraged me to pursue my dream career and take up HNC Computer Software Engineering at a time when I was stuck in a rut working in a factory.
· Simon from Cheshire: My mum went all out to ensure that I obtained the best education possible and even established links that earned me an internship in a bank when I finished school.
· Lindsey from Glasgow: I was working as an administrator, but my mum inspired me to continue following my dreams of working in fashion and start up my own blog.
· Charlotte from Poole: My mum has always helped me manage my CV and write cover letters. She’s always offering me suggestions on what career path I should take, even when I choose not to listen.
Further reading on getting help from mum
