What if the secret to hiring a great employee isn’t just in their resume—but in whether they did chores as a kid?
It may sound simple, even old-fashioned. But growing evidence shows that early responsibilities at home—like setting the table, doing laundry, or helping with yard work—build the very character traits that lead to long-term success. And as it turns out, those are exactly the qualities today’s best organizations are hiring for.
The Link Between Chores and Success
Two recent studies and a noteworthy book all point to the same conclusion: assigning kids chores contributes significantly to their development into responsible, confident, and capable adults.
One study, published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, found that young children—around ages four or five—who helped with small tasks at home developed higher levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy. These kids weren’t just helping out—they were contributing in meaningful, age-appropriate ways to their families, and being praised for it. That simple formula created a sense of accomplishment that translated into higher academic performance, stronger peer relationships, and greater life satisfaction by early elementary school.
The Cost of Sheltering Kids from Responsibility
The book Escaping the Endless Adolescence (2009) echoes these findings. It argues that many well-meaning parents inadvertently delay their children’s maturity by removing the very challenges and responsibilities teens need to grow.
When teens are shielded from effort, criticism, or failure, they often grow into adults who are financially, emotionally, and practically dependent on others. Instead of building confidence through trial and contribution, they’re left unequipped to handle the demands of adult life.
The authors emphasize the importance of teens engaging in real-world work: chores, paid jobs, volunteer roles—anything that requires effort and produces real results. These responsibilities build the muscles of maturity: grit, time management, empathy, and persistence.
Montessori and the Power of Early Ownership
This principle is central to the Montessori method as well, which encourages young children to learn through hands-on, real-life tasks. When a child is shown how to do something and then trusted to do it independently, the result isn’t just a finished task—it’s a confident, capable human being. The boost in self-esteem and self-reliance that comes from this autonomy is powerful.
Why It Matters in Hiring
So what does all this have to do with hiring?
Simple: the very skills that emerge from childhood responsibility—planning, persistence, problem-solving, accountability, and empathy—are the qualities hiring managers say they want most. They’re foundational to workplace success.
Conversely, “learned helplessness”—where individuals avoid difficult tasks or blame others for setbacks—is often rooted in a childhood where responsibilities were avoided or removed.
That’s why one of the most revealing conversations you can have with a job candidate isn’t just about their last job—but about how they grew up.
So, the next time you’re interviewing a candidate, don’t just ask about their last job. Ask about their first responsibilities. The habits formed at the dinner table, in the yard, or through early part-time work often speak volumes about character, resilience, and readiness to contribute. After all, success might just start with taking out the trash!
Digging Deeper Than the Resume
Consider adding these questions to your interview process:
What were your responsibilities growing up?
Who were the most influential people in your life before college, and why?
How did you view chores at home?
What were ways that you contributed to your family or your community as a child or teen?
You’re not just digging into nostalgia. You’re uncovering the roots of responsibility, maturity, and motivation—traits that no résumé can fully capture, but every great hire possesses.
