Welcome to MyPath

At Thanksgiving dinner next week your parents and other relatives are bound to ask, "How's that job search coming along?"

While some young people fear this question, I encourage you to embrace it. Why not use your family's interest as an opportunity? If you're comfortable asking your loved ones for help, there are several ways you can enlist their support -- appropriately -- in your job search efforts.

Here are three examples of how your mom, dad and other family members can lend a hand in your job hunt. Listen to these and other tips in my new podcast.

1. Proofreading. You can never have too many people checking your resume, cover letters, grad school applications, social networking profiles and any other professional content you've created. If your parents have good grammar and spelling abilities, ask them to check some of your career-related writing and to make sure your online image is ready for prime time.

2. Rehearsing for interviews. Your parents or relatives (particularly anyone you know who has experience interviewing job seekers) can help you prepare for any upcoming interviews by running through questions, helping to choose an appropriate interview outfit or videotaping your answers.

3. Making networking connections. Your family members definitely count as part of your professional network. Ask everyone at the Thanksgiving table if they’d be willing to brainstorm any of their contacts who might be helpful for you. You’d be amazed at how many people come to mind when they really think about it.

Some people aren’t comfortable asking their parents for help and connections—it’s fine if you feel this way, and of course there are lots of other connections you can access. But if you are comfortable networking with your family, then I hope you'll spend some time talking about your job search while you're gobbling down your turkey.