TikTok has just about everything — from cooking videos to fashion, and yes, even career advice! Since many people’s jobs were impacted by COVID, a ton of young prospective employees are turning to the pros on TikTok to get tips on job hunting.
TikTok has even begun testing a new program for brands to use the platform as a recruitment tool. Companies will be able to post job listings and users can upload a video resume. Think of it almost like a LinkedIn feature on the app.
I myself have even turned to TikTok and saved a few handy career tips and tricks. So here’s YR Media’s roundup of some of the trending career advice from the app that is actually really useful.
1. Creating your resume
Recruiters usually only spend a few seconds on each resume. Jackiecaves breaks down exactly what they’re looking out for. For example, action verbs, a clean format and relevant experience.
It’s also a good idea to keep your resume concise. Recruiters likely aren’t going to sit there and read a long list of work experience — even if it’s all really relevant to the job. So remember to trim down before you send it in.
2. Closing gaps on your resume
Do you have a large gap of time on your resume? Hey, life happens. Here’s how to spin it on your resume to make yourself look good, from More4lessresumes on TikTok. Explain how you used your time off, and what skills and experience you gained from it that will be relevant for the position you’re applying for. Think of your time off as another job you had.
3. Spicing up your resume
How do you turn your everyday work tasks into stand out points? Here are some examples! When explaining what you did at your previous jobs, you should always try to use hard numbers and data that is trackable. How many units did you sell or stock per day? How did your tasks play a role in the bigger picture of the company? Greg Langstaff has all the tips to make you look your best. In efficiency and accuracy of course!
4. Job titles for LinkedIn
You may have a unique job title internally with your company, but you still want to be searchable to recruiters. It’s all about keywords! YourCareerSister on TikTok can give you some advice. You want to use common words for your job title. But just make sure it is reflective of the level you’re at in the company. Basically, don’t inflate your job title.
5. Preparing for an interview
So you landed an interview, now what?! You don’t want to go in blind — so Katie Welch, Rare Beauty’s CMO, has some advice on how to prep. Research the company, understand the position, and always send a thank you email after the interview.
6. "Tell me about yourself"
I’m sure we’ve all heard the interview question, “Tell me about yourself.” But how are you even supposed to answer that? Are we talking personal or professional? Here’s a great answer formula from Erin McGoff that shares just enough.
Be prepared. Share a little about your past like where you’re from and education, then move on to the present. So talk about where you’re at now and the position you’re currently in. Lastly, talk about the future! Talk about what you’re trying to do next in your career and how this company fits that role.
7. Salary expectations in an interview
You’re having an interview and then they get to the question about your salary expectations for the role. You don’t want to go too low and sell yourself short. But you also don’t want to go too high — beyond the company’s budget. So what do you say?
JobDoctorTessa has the answer for you. Don’t give a specific number right away, instead turn it back to the interviewer. You want to ask about the pay range, so that you have some clues. If they ask you about what you’re currently making (which btw could be illegal depending on where you live), answer in a range as well. But if they keep pushing, then you can give them a number that includes any bonuses, commissions and equity.