It’s hard out there in the career world, navigating a potential recession, nationwide union battles, and general workforce instability, and we’re all dealing with global events that deeply impact the way we work and live. Younger generations and entry-level employees, in particular, are simultaneously leading the percentage of both job vacancies and prospective employees — all while demanding more equitable working conditions in the age of COVID.
But thanks to many across the internet, finding solid career help — like resume-building guides, negotiation tactics, and interview tips — has become much easier. TikTok has risen as a career resource for the next generation of employees, with an accumulated 3 billion views across videos with the hashtags #CareerTok and #CareerAdvice.
And many of these career and financial creators are young women, women of color, or industry professionals attempting to help diversify the workforce and close race and gender pay gaps.
If you fall into one of those categories, or are just in need of some more perspectives on professional life, check out this roundup of some of TikTok’s beloved career accounts. They offer a range of support whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, seeking a new job, or on the hunt for “adulting” life tips.
Gabrielle Woody is a recruiting strategist and career mentor who joined TikTok to share resources for resume building and the hiring process. She links to helpful tools and free online resources and resume templates throughout her page and in her bio, which is currently spotlighting Google’s free, online career lessons. Woody also provides feedback on hiring and interview responses, and even college application advice. She’s made a point to address how companies participate in illegal or discriminatory job practices when interviewing women, applicants of color, or those with disabilities, and provides basic guidance for responding to these types of questions.
Rawan is a Meta employee and #CareerTok influencer who wants to help underrepresented communities access career resources and diversify the workforce. Her page is full of tips for recent college grads and prospective young employees, including internship advice and job openings, as well as useful tools for resumes, networking, and the job-seeking journey. She’s also created a list of free certifications that can help anyone interested in tech, analytics, or other positions in her industry. You can also submit career questions to her directly through TikTok.
Rowan share’s easy tips for those new to job hunting.
Credit: TikTok / @Rowanog
Her page is a good place for those intimidated by the professional networking world.
Credit: TikTok / @Rowanog
Erin McGoff is a New York City-based film editor and director who offers career advice and personal marketing tips catered to a media-interested audience. On her TikTok page, you’ll find resume tips, simple negotiation scripts, and even ways to handle rejections. McGoff also has a plethora of other free resources she’s created for her followers, including a downloadable #CareerAdvice guide. She offers paid resources, like her SkillShare class on how to use TikTok to market yourself, but her real goal is to democratize career advice online. Follow McGoff on Twitter, too, where she regularly posts job offerings in the entertainment industry.
McGoff is also known for doing “Resume Rewrites,” where she helps rewrite resumes for certain professions.
Credit: TikTok / @ErinMcgroff
McGoff’s account is filled with helpful answers to common interview questions.
Credit: TikTok / @ErinMcgroff
Madeline Pendleton is a small business owner who’s blown up on TikTok for her candid conversations about matters financial and career-related, including ethical business practices, wage and labor rights, and cooperative homeownership. Pendleton’s advice is realistic and relatable, not sugar-coating the reality of how difficult it is to remain financially secure as a young or self-employed person. Check out Pendleton’s “Practical Stuff” highlight on her page for personal advice and a look into her role as the owner of a small fashion company for inspiration.
Alexa Shoen is a career coach and author of #EntryLevelBoss, a 9-step guide to job hunting for the digital age. Through TikTok, Shoen talks candidly with her followers about the failures of corporate job culture, does deep dives into the reality of unpaid internships, and offers tons of advice for new grads and first-time job seekers. You can also sign up for Shoen’s free newsletter, started back in 2015, which answers frequently asked questions about careers and job hunting. Or reach out to her for professional one-on-one career coaching (for a fee), if you find her free content helpful.
Shoen has started a new series breaking down new internship offerings.
Credit: TikTok / @AlexaShoen
Shoen dives into the promises and failures of corporate America.
Credit: TikTok / @AlexaShoen
@HulloKimi is a #CareerTok influencer sharing her experiences in the tech startup world, and she’s on a mission to help other young professionals develop a healthier work-life balance. Her account first blew up after she shared her career goal for 2022: reframing her 9-5 career as if it was part-time work, and treating her life and hobbies as if they were her full-time job. Scrolling her page, you’ll find tips for those wanting to try it alongside her, as well as her experiences and advice working in highly competitive corporate jobs. She’s also transitioned these stories into a newsletter, which you can sign up for here.
Jackie Cuevas is a Human Resources professional and TikTok creator who makes content from the perspective of someone working directly in the hiring field. Cuevas shares behind-the-scenes tips from recruiters to help diversify the workforce and democratize the hiring process for her followers. Scrolling through her page, you’ll find a plethora of resume writing tips to help you get noticed by recruiters and navigate tough topics like firings and mental health leave, as well as interview advice and explanations of common terminology and job types. Cuevas also runs a Discord channel, where people can join together to discuss their career questions, and offers personal consulting for a fee.
Cuevas helps followers with more unconventional work histories, too.
Credit: TikTok / @JackieCaves
Cuevas shares a recruiter’s perspective of the professional world.
Credit: TikTok / @JackieCaves
