From recipes to make-up tips, TikTok has become our go-to resource to uncover the latest trends, so it makes sense that its influence has also infiltrated the world of work.
From enlightening us about rage applying for jobs (when you hastily apply for a new role because you’re feeling frustrated about your current one) to bringing quiet quitting (doing the bare minimum) to the fore, the social media platform has become the birthplace of the workplace trend in 2023.
According to a recent study by McKinsey, 45% of Gen Z workers are concerned about the stability of their employment, and over a quarter say mental health issues have impacted their ability to perform at work (compared to 14% of all employed respondents).
Add to that the statistics surrounding the high unemployment rates among Generation Z workers during the pandemic, and it’s easy to see why so many 18 to 24 year olds are turning to TikTok for help.
But should we tread with caution when it comes to the career advice TikTok content creators extoll?
As with anything on social media—recipes and make-up tips included—it’s best to proceed with a pinch of salt and not take everything you’re shown at face value. But that doesn’t mean every piece of advice on TikTok should be doubted or discarded.
In fact, vast amounts of conventional career subject matter are practical, resourceful and incredibly helpful when you’re starting your career journey and looking for your first internship or graduate position.
So, bearing all of the above in mind, how can the uninitiated access the best career-related information TikTok has to offer?
Look for coaches
If you’re relying on “day in the life” style workplace TikToks to glean information about your industry of choice, you’ll be left disappointed.
While these entertaining insights into big tech and high-paying finance jobs leave no stone (or snack) unturned when it comes to the in-office perks on offer, they rarely include any concrete information about the kind of work that’s being done or what it’s really like to work in an organization.
Instead, look for bona fide career coaches that offer mentoring, tips on how to excel in interviews and templates for resumes and cover letters— @careercoachdarci, @j.t.odonnell or @icathryn are great places to start.
Use the right hashtags
Knowing where to look is sometimes half the battle when it comes to TikTok so make sure you’re accessing the right kind of content via its #careeradvice and #careertok hashtags. Or if you want to get information about a specific topic, for example interview tips, add a hashtag to the front of your search term.
Job Opportunities on The GradCafe’s Job Board
Ready to put your TikTok career advice to the test and secure your dream opportunity? The GradCafe Job Board has thousands of open roles in companies that are actively hiring, like the three below.
Internship: Graduate Fellowship Program, Hennepin County, MN
The Hennepin County Graduate Fellowship Program is a flagship public-sector internship for graduate and doctoral students.
During this yearlong program, you will work on real-world projects addressing challenges impacting Hennepin County’s 1.3 million residents.
The program also includes career-focused development opportunities that provide you with the tools needed to launch a public sector career.
Candidates must live in either Minnesota or Wisconsin, be enrolled in a Master’s degree or PhD program during both fall 2023 and spring 2024 and have the ability to work 40 hours per week over summer, and 19 hours per week during the school year. See the full description here.
Internal Audit Services Graduate Intern, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland
The mission of internal audit services (IAS) is to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve Kaiser Foundation Hospital/Health Plan (KFH/HP) operations.
The Internal Audit Services Graduate Intern will work as part of the IAS team to determine whether the organization’s network of risk management, control, and governance processes, as designed and represented by management, are adequate and functioning.
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree and be pursuing a graduate degree or have completed a graduate program from an accredited university within the last year. View more details here.
Intern, UBS, Lexington
Are you a motivated self-starter? Can you take an assignment and run with it? If you’re ready to dive into a fast-paced, client-focused work environment, an internship with UBS may be the right fit for you.
As an Intern focused on global wealth management you will gain valuable insight, develop new skills, and establish a network of mentors and business contacts while working on projects that have real impact on clients.
Applicants from any field of study are welcome to apply, however UBS would like to see evidence of ability to analyze a problem, come up with ideas and make a decision, good judgment and strong organizational skills. Apply now.
Accelerate your career journey today via the GradCafe Job Board
Aoibhinn is a content writer for Jobbio. A lifestyle journalist and editor for over 10 years, Aoibhinn has written for titles in Dublin,
London, New York and Dubai.
