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.
Should You Take Work Advice from TikTok?
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?
Related Reading: Looking to use TikTok for Business? They have an ads manager for running paid promotions.
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.
Benefits of Taking Work Advice from TikTok
TikTok has a massive and diverse user base, including a bunch of folks your age. That means you can reach a wide audience with your career advice, which can be pretty cool, especially if you’ve got some valuable insights to share.
The best part is that TikTok is all about short and snappy videos, usually no longer than a minute. So, you’ve got to be concise, which is a good skill to have, especially in grad school where you’re probably dealing with a lot of information overload.
Making Career Content on TikTok
If you plan to use TikTok for Business, you may also benefit from a viral video. If your career advice videos hit the right notes and resonate with viewers, they can spread like wildfire, giving you a ton of visibility and followers.
What I love about TikTok is that it’s all about being real and relatable. You can talk about your own experiences, successes, and even failures in your career journey. Being authentic tends to connect with people, and that’s a valuable lesson both in grad school and in your future career.
Engagement is a big thing on TikTok too. People can comment, like, share your videos, and even do duets where they react to your content. It’s a great way to build a community and chat directly with your audience, which can be super helpful.
You can get creative with your content too. Use music, visuals, and storytelling to make your career advice stand out. It’s a platform that rewards creativity.
Plus, you can track how your videos are doing with TikTok’s analytics tools, so you’ll know what’s working and what’s not. It’s a bit like research in grad school – you gather data to refine your approach.
What to Watch Out For
Just keep in mind that TikTok trends and algorithms change pretty fast, so it’s important to stay updated and adapt your content strategy as you go along. But hey, that’s kind of like grad school, right? Always learning and evolving. So, give it a shot and see where it takes you!
Job Opportunities on The GradCafe’s Job Board
Ready to put your TikTok career advice to the test and secure your dream opportunity? The Grad Cafe Job Board has thousands of open roles in companies that are actively hiring. Be sure to check out the board for the latest opportunities.
Note that we also wrote a guide on how to work while studying in Grad School. Sometimes it makes more sense to start a side gig than to take on full employment and a full course load. But if you’re graduating soon and looking to launch your career, make sure to check in on The Grad Cafe’s job board.
