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- The job market is tough right now, with high unemployment, layoffs, and fewer promotions.
- But some TikTok career advice may be doing more harm, recruitment experts warn.
- Experts recommend authenticity and enthusiasm over misleading tactics and generic applications.
TikTok is full of people eager to share their advice on everything from dating to health to workplace etiquette.
But a flurry of recruitment experts Business Insider spoke to warned against heeding every nugget of advice posted on the app.
The job market is tough right now. The US unemployment rate has risen steadily over the last three months. Promotions are down, layoffs are sweeping the country, and some job seekers are sending out hundreds of applications only to be met with silence.
Young people entering the workforce are being judged and seen as lazy and entitled Gen Z stereotypes, while more mature candidates are fighting against ageism.
Job seekers are looking for a leg up, and the algorithm happily answers.
TikTok creators sharing tips for job applications and interviews aim to help, but several experts warn they may do more harm than good.
Honesty is crucial
Iffi Wahla, the cofounder and CEO of global talent network Edge, told BI the amount of misguided advice circulating on TikTok is concerning.
One particular tip he's seen is the suggestion to "embellish" your résumé.
"This might get you through the initial screening, and even through a couple of interview stages, but it will ultimately backfire," Wahla said. "Honesty and transparency are crucial, as they build trust with potential employers and set the stage for a successful long-term career."
Jill Chapman, a recruiter and the director of early talent programs for Insperity, a national HR service provider, told BI that lying on your job application is "never OK."
She warned recruiters usually unearth dishonesty during background checks. "Even if you feel the need to embellish your experience to meet qualifications or feel the pressure to stand out, lying on your résumé sets you up for failure," she said.
"If they do not spot the lie and you are hired, you could potentially face termination or legal consequences."
Being too generic
Some career advice TikTokers encourage spamming LinkedIn and other job sites with hundreds of the same documents.
But recruiters talk, Chapman and Wahla told BI. A candidate who keeps popping up with their irrelevant résumé signals a red flag.
Wahla said overusing and relying on generic templates to create cover letters and résumés is also a mistake.
"I can't stress enough — personalization is key," Wahla said. "Don't use buzzwords or jargon. Tailoring your application to each specific job not only shows that you've done your homework but also demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and company."
Applying to as many jobs as possible regardless of fit can dilute your efforts rather than increase your chances, he added.
"It's far more effective to target your applications to positions that genuinely match your skills and career aspirations," he said.
'Act your wage'
Martin Morris, an associate director at the recruitment agency Talos360, told BI the worst advice he's seen is to "act your wage."
Gen Z is the cohort that coined the term "lazy-girl jobs," with some younger workers preferring to work to live rather than vice versa. But quiet quitting and making no effort in your current job can let you down in the long run, Morris said.
"Enthusiasm and hard work does generally get noticed by employers, but also head hunting does happen," he said. "As recruiters we see the people in these industries who do go above and beyond — and they are the ones who are more likely to get the progression opportunities."
Nobody should be exploited at work, Morris added, but "acting the wage you want" may be a better tactic to grow your skills and get noticed by recruiters.
The white font tactic
Christian Lovell, a careers expert at SoFi Technologies and the founder of Careers by Chris, told BI she's seen a hack go viral for beating the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) — software many recruiters use to streamline hiring.
Some TikTok creators suggest copying and pasting the job description in white font at the bottom of their résumé and converting it to a PDF.
"The thought here is that the ATS will pick up on all the relevant keywords and recruiters won't be able to see the white font," Lovell said.
"In reality, it is highly likely that this is going to backfire," she added. "Recruiters can tell, and it's ultimately going to make you look dishonest, which will cost you the job."
Asking bad questions
Wahla has seen some creators encouraging candidates to rehearse their job interview answers and deliver overly scripted ones.
Preparation is important, he said, but authenticity wins overall.
"Employers are looking for candidates who are not only qualified but also a good cultural fit," he said. "And this can only be assessed through genuine, unscripted conversations."
Lovell said advising candidates to ask a particular question has gone viral a few times: "Do you have any reservations about my candidacy?"
Lovell said the intention is to suss out what the hiring manager is thinking, but it can backfire.
"This puts the interviewer in an awkward position, and it also encourages them to recall or really think through all of the reasons you're not a good fit for the role," she said.
Instead, Lovell recommended briefly covering something you didn't discuss during the interview that shows you are a good fit for the role.
Hoarding backups
The early-talent director Chapman said she's seen some creators suggest hoarding job offers from backup roles while waiting to hear from your dream job.
But this can have many negative outcomes, she said. "Recruiters and employers within industries talk with each other, so this practice can mar your reputation."
Taking a job is a big decision, but candidates should only ask for an extension to an offer if they are seriously considering it. Otherwise, they should let it go.
"Ultimately, job offers may not line up simultaneously, which is unfortunate, but if the job offer is thoroughly considered, a good, thoughtful, and definitive decision can be made," Chapman said. "Remember, your 'backup' job is someone else's dream."