Imagine taking your dad on a job interview or getting your mom to negotiate your salary. Or what about saying this to an prospective employer, “Thanks for the job offer but let me run it by my parents.” Can’t fathom it?

Well, it’s happening, according to a recent story in The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reports employers are “getting phone calls from parents asking them to hire their 20-something kids or protesting pay packages.”

That’s just great – further evidence that some Gen Yers are way too needy and their parents too doting.

I’m tired of hearing about the boomerang generation and its quarter-life crises and why now is a terrible time to be young. They whine about pay but fail to realize it took previous generations YEARS to make the money they’re getting out of college. And, the way they blow money on Starbucks, iPods and Seven jeans would shake their grandparents to their frugal core. Anybody with me?

I’m tired of hearing about soccer parents who just need to let go. It’s fine to be involved in your child’s life. Listening is fine. Giving advice, especially if solicited, is OK. But calling your kid’s potential boss is totally not cool.

Jobs aplenty for grads

If you are about to graduate from college, good for you. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. is predicting the strongest entry-level job market since the dot.com collapse in 2001.

Challenger is talking signing bonuses and on-the-job perks, such as flexible hours and tuition reimbursement for further education.

“We are approaching full employment and some employers are already dreaming up perks to attract the best talent. Those graduating with degrees in business, engineering, computer science, education and health care should find a relatively welcoming job market,” said John Challenger, the firm’s CEO.

Challenger’s upbeat outlook has to do with low unemployment rates – 4.7 percent for the nation.

Challenger said college grads should be further encouraged by a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey that found employers plan to hire 14.5 percent more new college grads than a year ago.

Overall, the future looks bright for workers who have college degrees, Challenger added. Unemployment among college grads is at just 2.2 percent, he said, citing a figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Amy Baldwin covers money-related topics for 20- and 30-somethings in “Out of the Red.” Contact her at (704) 358-5179 or abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com.