The exponential rise of social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube has led Generation Z to increasingly turn to these channels for career advice. Among them, TikTok has emerged as a particularly popular destination, giving rise to the niche hashtag “#CareerTok.” A 2023 EduBirdie study found that 70% of surveyed GenZers used TikTok for career guidance, with 19% relying on it as their primary source.

Hashtags such as #Careers, #careertips, #jobsearchtips, and #careersadvice are widely popular, along with others like #worklife, #dreamjob, #Jobinterview and #Internship. GenZers are drawn to TikTok’s speed and accessibility, hoping to gain expert tips in an increasingly competitive global job market.

TikTok’s Growing Influence on Careers

According to a survey by EduBirdie, 46% of Generation Z users revealed that TikTok influenced their choice of profession, while 48% said it had helped their careers in some way. Recognizing this trend, TikTok launched its first-ever TikTok LIVE Careers Week in August, partnering with UCAS, Indeed, and The Prince’s Trust. The event’s livestreams garnered over 369,000 viewers, aimed at helping young people get excited about job opportunities and their future careers.

Darragh McGinley, head of social media (EMEA) at global hiring platform Indeed, expressed excitement about TikTok prioritizing careers, saying, “Everyone deserves top-tier career insights and practical tips to reach their professional goals.” Similarly, Laurent Darwent, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Prince’s Trust, emphasized their belief that “every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing.”

In addition, some of the most popular #CareerTok topics include navigating tricky issues like negotiating higher salaries, handling workplace conflicts, switching fields, and landing dream jobs. This demonstrates TikTok’s growing influence as a platform for career development and exploration among younger generations.

How to negotiate a higher salary

The most widely shared career advice GenZers seek on #CareerTok is how to negotiate a higher salary. Many TikTokers offer their own perspectives on this topic, but a common tip is that managers can’t read minds. As such, employees are often encouraged to proactively discuss potential raises with their superiors.

Aydan Al-Saad (@aydanalsaad) of Euronews advised, “First and foremost, your manager and leadership should know that you want or are expecting a raise. This should be on your agenda in your regular one-on-ones, so it’s on their radar when the pay cycle review occurs.“

Al-Saad also recommended, “Be proactive by bringing data and insights to justify the raise. Use tools like Indeed to find out what salary data is in your region and your role.”

Similarly, Henry Nelson-Case (@thatcorporatelawyer) emphasized, “You should do your research first and understand the market rate for your role. Knowing what others earn for the same role at other organizations is crucial. Alongside this, you need to be collating a record of your achievements, contributions, and any extra responsibilities you’ve taken on. Show how you’ve added value to the company and use this as evidence to justify your request.“

How to get your dream job

The hashtag “#dreamjob” has amassed approximately 428,800 posts on TikTok, highlighting the diverse interpretations of an ideal career among creators. While the specifics of a dream job may vary significantly, certain attributes seem to resonate with Gen Z, such as flexibility, meaningful work, happiness, work-life balance, and financial security.

As career expert Nelson-Case advises, individuals should be honest and clear about their vision for a dream job, understand the industry and role, and then invest in the necessary training and education to develop the required skills. However, it’s important to remember that one’s first job may not be a lifelong commitment, so persistence and using opportunities to learn and progress toward that dream job are crucial.

Similarly, Al-Saad recommends approaching the job search process like a sales endeavor, being intentional and purposeful. This includes first defining what one wants from a dream job and the necessary skills, then researching companies that align with the desired work environment, whether it’s a startup or a large corporation. Utilizing tools like spreadsheets or Trello boards can help manage the job search process effectively.

How to switch to a different field

With more GenZers becoming disillusioned with their university studies or current career paths, a growing trend has emerged of switching to different fields. While increased earnings are sometimes a motivator, the desire for greater flexibility and more meaningful, interesting work often drives these career changes. The opportunity to learn new skills and improve growth prospects is another key factor.

This has led many GenZers to turn to platforms like #CareerTok, seeking tips and advice on how to successfully transition to a new field.

As career coach Nelson-Case explains, “You’ve likely developed valuable transferable skills in your current role that can be applied elsewhere. Be sure to highlight these to potential employers.” However, she notes that a career shift may require starting at a more junior level to gain experience in the new industry. Networking with professionals in the target field can also help identify skill gaps and uncover job opportunities.

Career advisor Al-Saad emphasizes the importance of proactively building new skills. “There are many online resources to quickly level up your capabilities. Then, look for opportunities to apply those skills, even by offering free work in exchange for experience and references.” After some initial projects, you can transition to a side hustle or full-time freelance work in the new field.

How to handle conflicts in the workplace

Workplace conflicts are a common occurrence, often arising between coworkers or between employees and their superiors. If left unaddressed, these conflicts can quickly escalate, leading to a toxic work environment.

Such conflicts may involve abusive or unethical behaviors, poor communication and leadership, dysfunctional operations, and a lack of inclusivity. Consequently, this can result in increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and reduced collaboration.

Several #CareerTok creators, such as Lauren Spearman (@spearmanlauren), suggest dealing with workplace conflict swiftly and calmly. Spearman acknowledges that conflicts are unavoidable in most careers, often stemming from personality clashes, differing work styles, poor communication, and competition among colleagues. However, she notes that not all conflict is inherently negative, as working through issues can lead to better working relationships, expanded perspectives, and more collaborative efforts.

Spearman emphasizes that resolving conflicts is typically more effective through face-to-face conversations rather than email or messaging. She recommends setting clear parameters for the discussion, allowing the other party time to prepare, and focusing on specific, evidence-based examples rather than emotional or vague statements. By approaching workplace conflicts in this manner, Spearman believes that a satisfactory resolution can be more readily achieved.

Spearman emphasizes that having a clear objective in mind, such as a decision, resolution, explanation, or something similar, can significantly help steer the conversation back to the main topic if it starts to drift. Following up with an email recap after the discussion is also advised to document the conversation in writing.

This recap should ideally include the agreed-upon actions and whether a date for a follow-up meeting has been set. Spearman wraps up by saying, “Keep in mind that people’s actions might be justified, and we’re often unaware of their personal situations, so always approach the conversation with empathy.” Nelson-Case points out: “Conflict is bound to happen in a busy, goal-oriented work setting where many ideas are exchanged quickly.

However, it’s crucial to handle conflict respectfully, with grace, and in a professional way by listening to the issues brought up and working towards a solution that benefits everyone involved.” “For significant or persistent problems, it’s vital to maintain a record of these exchanges and report them to HR or your appropriate supervisor for further action.”

Effective communication is the cornerstone of managing conflicts, as Al-Saad notes. He mentioned, “Most conflicts at work stem from misunderstandings. So, take the time to meet with your colleague or supervisor, perhaps over coffee outside the office, to foster open dialogue.”

How to climb the corporate ladder

Advancing in your career and carving out new chances for yourself, especially when they seem scarce, is another crucial subject on #CareerTok. Often, members of Generation Z find it challenging to navigate the right approach to request additional opportunities, tasks, or duties without feeling exploited, with minimal to no return. This challenge is further complicated by balancing work and personal life and establishing firm boundaries. Nelson-Case highlighted: “It’s essentially about ‘open mouths get fed’.

Don’t rely on others to constantly bring you opportunities; you must take the initiative. Actively seek and implement feedback from your boss and peers to enhance your abilities and performance. “Yet, it’s vital to remain patient and determined, as career advancement is a gradual process – keep your eye on your ultimate objectives and continue to exert effort.”

Al-Saad emphasized: “Focus on acquiring skills, not just job titles. The most effective way to ascend the corporate hierarchy and open up new possibilities for yourself is by acquiring new skills, gaining more experience, and building your network. Know what you need to progress further.” He suggests utilizing digital platforms like TikTok and Skillstore to acquire these skills, and to expand your experience by tackling tasks beyond your immediate job responsibilities.

This will aid in applying what you’ve learned. He also recommends maintaining an inquisitive mindset and building relationships with your superiors to learn more from them.

How reliable is #CareerTok?

Despite the growing popularity of #CareerTok in recent years, there are ongoing worries about the credibility of the career guidance offered by its creators. This is largely due to the difficulty in confirming a creator’s qualifications to provide career advice. EduBirdie’s study reveals that only 42% of GenZers cross-check information from TikTok with other sources, while 47% base their judgment of a creator’s skill on their follower count.

Relying on #CareerTok advice can sometimes lead to job issues, while in other instances, the guidance might not be as detailed as required for certain situations. 55% of those surveyed by GenZ EduBirdie reported facing problems due to misinformation on TikTok. A further issue is that #CareerTok creators might not always present a complete view of a topic, often showing a too-positive outlook.

This could overlook the potential risks of big career decisions like changing careers and could have severe repercussions for those who follow such advice without further investigation. Additionally, some concerns with #CareerTok stem from its features, like TikTok Resumes, which could potentially lead to discrimination by recruiters if they have negative opinions about applicants based on their appearance.