I recently read that a surprising number of Gen Zers have had a parent attend a job interview with them. The number I saw was 20%, which is still enough to make me stop and wonder whether mom is coming to the interview?

I have to admit, this has never happened to me.

And I don’t think I would have allowed my mother into the actual interview. I might, however, have allowed her to sit in the hallway.

Because that is where the emotional support belongs.

I’ve had people wait outside for me while I interviewed. Sometimes they were my ride. Sometimes they were someone I knew I could seek comfort from if things went badly. And sometimes they were the person I planned to go out drinking with afterward.

Because there is something comforting about knowing that when you walk out of that room, your life is still waiting for you.

You did your best. You answered the questions. You smiled appropriately. You tried to sound confident while secretly wondering whether you had just said something completely idiotic.

And then comes the wait.

Will they call? Did they like me? Did I get it? What does that email mean? Why did they say, “We’ll be in touch” in that particular tone?

Agonizing over it doesn’t change the outcome.

So why wait in agony?

Go have a drink. Get something to eat. Call someone who loves you. Laugh about the question you absolutely bombed.

The interview may determine whether you get the job.

It doesn’t get to determine whether you had a good evening.

And maybe that’s the real purpose of the person waiting outside.

Not to help you get the job.

To remind you that your life is considerably bigger than the job you may or may not get.

Mom can stay in the hallway.

I’ll meet her there when it’s over.