30 of the Best Pieces of Career Advice I Found on TikTok

Aside from watching hours of dance videos, life hacks, and recipes on TikTok, one thing I've been really pleasantly surprised to find on the app is a plethora of truly great career advice. It's no secret that the job market is tough right now, especially for college seniors and those who have been laid off due to COVID-19, but thanks to numerous TikTok creators, young people seeking jobs have tons of knowledge right at their fingertips.

Whether you're seeking résumé ideas, cover-letter tips, or even help with email etiquette, these TikTok videos will provide you with the career advice you need, regardless of the industry you're seeking. Check out some of our favorites ahead to gain some job-search insight that you didn't even know you needed. You'll be ready to land your dream job in no time!

01

Ask For Help

It can be tempting to want to do everything yourself when looking for a job, but this TikTok user explains that you should never be afraid to ask for help! Tap mentors, career veterans, and even your peers for advice on what has helped them.

02

How to Make Your Résumé Stand Out

Your résumé is one of the most important tools for your job search because it's where job recruiters can see your top skills and qualities. If you're struggling to make your résumé stand out, this video shows that the key to a great résumé is to use strong action verbs to describe your experiences.

03

What NOT to Do on Your Résumé

While it's important to know what to include on your résumé to make it stand out, it's also helpful to know what to avoid. There are many job recruiters, HR representatives, and career coaches on TikTok who provide great advice on what not to include on a résumé that will help your résumé stand out in the long run.

04

Don't Feel Compelled to Follow the Traditional Path

When searching for a job, it's common to feel a lot of regret for things you wish you should have done in your past. These regrets might be that you didn't try hard enough at your last job, or even that you didn't attend college. It's important to recognize that everyone is different and that success isn't always linear.

05

What to Do If a Cover Letter Is Not Required

Different job applications require different materials, but how can you go above and beyond what is required? This video shares a tip for what to do when a cover letter is not required on an application. Instead of fitting in with other applicants, reach out to the hiring manager and provide your own personalized cover letter explaining why you would be a valuable asset to their team.

06

How to Write a Professional Email

While résumés and cover letters are obvious materials to have when applying for jobs, writing professional emails is just as important when trying to stand out to job recruiters. Showing a job recruiter that you can write eloquently and professionally demonstrates a lot about your capabilities and your professionalism and will likely help you make a lasting impression.

07

How to Create an Email Signature

It's no secret that TikTok is home to numerous life hacks and inventive DIYs, but who knew that you could also pick up creative tricks to stand out in the job realm? This video features a way to generate a standout email signature using the Canva app. This video is a great reminder to express your creativity in your job materials.

08

Misconceptions Commonly Heard by College Students

College students experience a great deal of pressure when it comes to searching for jobs, but this video provides an honest review of misconceptions that are commonly heard by college students. It's important to remember that everyone is different, so don't force yourself to conform to the typical timeline of choosing a major or a career path.

09

How to Navigate the Job Search Based on Subject Interests

While you may love your college major, it's not always easy to translate your major into a prospective career path. This video does a great job suggesting careers based on college majors, subject interests, and salary. One of the careers listed may be for you!

10

Don't Apply For Everything

When under the pressure to get a job, it can be tempting to just submit your résumé anywhere you can, but this video reminds you to not apply aimlessly. Instead, put your efforts into applying for jobs that you truly want. Passion is one of our driving forces, so use it to get a job that you will be happy about.

11

Job Search Dos and Don'ts

There are many misconceptions about the job search that lead applicants to doing the same things and reaching out to the same people. So how can applicants rise above what's commonly done? This video provides a few hacks for what to do and what not to do when it comes to the job search.

12

Proper Etiquette to Succeed on the Job

Confidence is something that many people struggle with, especially when on the hunt for a job or when starting a new role. This video provides a quick tip for how to sound more confident and professional in the workplace. Tips like these may seem minor, but they will definitely make an impact in the way you carry yourself.

13

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile to Stand Out to Recruiters

LinkedIn is a key platform for people to professionally network and apply to job listings. That being said, it's essential to create a standout LinkedIn profile, as it will help job recruiters notice you among other candidates. This video provides tips to help you do just that by suggesting unique ways to format your profile on the platform.

14

Don't Be Afraid of Change

It can be tempting to stay in a job or career field if you feel comfortable, but if it isn't something you really love, don't be afraid of change. Life is about trying things out to see if we like them, and if not, move on!

15

Networking Tips

When networking and applying for jobs, your desktop (and brain) are bound to get chaotic and disorganized. But thankfully, this TikTok user provides a helpful tip for staying on top of it when networking. By creating a spreadsheet with people's names and contact information, you can easily keep track of whom you spoke to, when you spoke to them, and what you learned from speaking with them.

16

Whom to Reach Out to From Job Listings

No one likes to be ghosted, particularly when waiting to hear back from a job. While most candidates think that reaching out to job recruiters is the key to success, try using this tip and reach out to other employees at the company to guarantee a response back.

17

How to Endure Racial Divides in the Workplace

In addition to providing great career advice, TikTok users also share really helpful and insightful situational videos, which can help you navigate certain scenarios or situations that you may encounter in the workplace. In this video, TikTok user @mobettat addresses racial reckoning and how to create a more fair and equal place for individuals to work.

18

How to Secure an Interview

Not sure how to secure an interview? Luckily, this TikTok user has tons of experience securing interviews at some of the top companies in the world. She recommends pulling up the job description side by side with your experience to find overlaps. She then advises applicants to focus on the skills that they do have and to use those as reference points throughout their application.

19

How to Respond to Classic Interview Questions

Interviews are among the most nerve-racking parts of the job application process. If you're feeling stuck, this user provides three helpful tips and examples for how to respond to the classic "tell me about yourself" interview question. Firstly, she proposes that you outline a statement revealing who you are professionally. Next, she recommends highlighting specific areas within your experience and expertise. Lastly, she suggests that you passionately share why you want the job. Don't forget to practice!

20

How to Eliminate External Factors From the Job Search

Oftentimes external factors such as race or gender can get in the way of applying for certain positions. In this video, the TikTok user acknowledges that she was fearful to pursue medicine because she didn't feel like she belonged. But she persevered and eventually realized that medicine was exactly what she should be pursuing. Don't let external factors stop you from pursuing your dreams!

21

Keep Your Résumé Tight

This recruiter shares some top résumé tips in this video, which include keeping it to one page, clean formatting and headlines, mentioning relevant experience, and more.

22

What to Wear For an Interview

Want a simple way to stand out in a video interview? Treat it like it's in person and dress for the part! This user features notes that she got from interviewers, highlighting the importance of how one dresses in an interview. Dressing the part lets the interviewer know that you take the opportunity seriously and will help you make a standout impression.

23

Interview Mistakes to Avoid

This career coach has seen plenty of interviews and draws upon them in this video to outline three of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. Rather than showing up unprepared, she encourages you to do careful research prior to your interview. She also suggests that applicants try to eliminate nerves by carefully practicing what they want to say. Most importantly, she recommends sending up a follow-up email to thank the interviewer for their time.

24

How to Address Specific Interview Questions

Another difficult and commonly asked interview question: "What are your salary expectations?" Luckily, this user provides a helpful way to indirectly answer the question without dodging it completely. She recommends providing the interviewer with a range, all while telling them that you're flexible and open to discussing compensation further as you learn more about the position.

25

Cover-Letter Tips

Oftentimes, applicants do not know the name of the job recruiter when applying for a job, which can make addressing a cover letter difficult. Thankfully, this video provides some useful tips for how to address a cover letter when you do not know the name of the job recruiter. Avoid saying "To whom this concerns," and instead do your best to address a specific person or team.

26

How to Stay Positive

Going through the job search and application process can be daunting, and it's easy for the process to lead to feelings of discouragement. This video, however, teaches you how to stay positive. One tip the user gives is to practice positive self-talk. By telling yourself that you are capable of landing the job, you will be more likely to appear confident and maybe even get the job of your dreams!

27

Misconceptions About the Application Process

If a cover letter is not required on an application should you always avoid submitting one? No! This is one of the many misconceptions about the application process. When something is not required, it technically means that you don't have to submit it, but by going the extra mile and submitting one, it will help you stand out and show that you put in extra effort.

28

Motivation For Applying to Jobs

There are a bunch of uplifting and inspiring people throughout TikTok, and the same goes for job-Tok. This video provides great motivation for those searching for jobs and reminds you not to get in your head. As the user says, risk and fear are temporary, and regrets are forever!

29

You Don't Have to Find Your Passion Right Away

So many college students put pressure on themselves to hit the ground running immediately after graduation with their careers. While this is great for some, you absolutely don't need to stick to one field right away (or ever). This TikTok user explains that you should spend your 20s experimenting with different careers to find out what you really love to do instead of staying in a job just for the financial security.

30

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Uncomfortable Questions

This TikTok user explains that asking this one question can really help you land a job. While it might be scary at first, asking this question gives you the chance to vouch for yourself as a great employee before an interview ends.