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In this article, we’ll cover three TikTok trends job seekers should stay away from. These risky moves might seem trendy, but they can seriously backfire during your job search. Let’s break down what to avoid and why.
TikTok Trends to Avoid as a Job Seeker
Social media platforms like TikTok offer endless entertainment and chances to connect with others. For job seekers, however, the line between fun and professional can sometimes get blurry. The reality is, what you post online has the potential to impact your career, even if you have a career in social media. Here are three TikTok trends to steer clear of:
Trend 1: The “Personal Life Overload” Challenge
If you're a TikTok regular, you've likely seen the personal life overload trend: the constant sharing of parties, weekend adventures, rants, and intimate details of your day-to-day. While this kind of content may get a lot of attention and engagement, it’s important to recognize that recruiters are paying attention to your online behavior. Posting too much personal content can send the wrong message about your professionalism.
For example, rants about your current job, company frustrations, or excessive partying can raise serious concerns about your attitude, work ethic, and commitment. These are things that could give a potential employer second thoughts about your candidacy, even if your resume checks all the right boxes.
-Why This Is a Problem:
Recruiters want to see candidates who are mature, professional, and focused. If they stumble upon your TikTok and find a flood of personal content, they might question your ability to maintain a work-life balance or worry about your judgment in representing yourself. A messy or overly personal profile could also lead them to believe you're not putting enough effort into managing your digital presence. With so many candidates applying for jobs, recruiters may opt for someone who maintains a more polished, professional image online.
-Tips to Keep Your Profile Professional:
- Limit personal posts: Keep your TikTok content focused on topics that reflect your skills, interests, or professional development. Instead of documenting every aspect of your social life, share accomplishments, hobbies, or work-related tips that demonstrate your strengths and personality in a positive light.
- Set privacy controls: If you prefer to keep personal moments private, consider using TikTok’s privacy settings. You can make your account private or limit your content to a specific audience, ensuring only those you trust see personal posts.
- Think before you post: Always ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable if a potential employer saw this?” If the answer is no, skip posting it. You can still enjoy TikTok, but be mindful of what others may perceive about you.
Trend 2: The “Clout Chasing” Trend
Another TikTok trend to avoid is jumping on viral trends just for the sake of clout. "Clout chasing" refers to creating or participating in viral challenges purely for attention, even if it has nothing to do with your personal interests or professional goals. While it’s tempting to hop on the latest trend for a shot at viral fame, this behavior can come across as immature or desperate.
Clout chasing might involve copying popular dances, lip-syncing to trending songs, or taking part in controversial challenges that might not reflect your true personality. While these types of videos might get you a lot of views or followers, they can also make you appear unfocused or insincere.
-Why This Is a Problem:
Anyone seeking a job need to build a reputation online that reflects their abilities, values, and character. Clout chasing makes it hard to take you seriously as a professional. Even though it might seem harmless in the moment, it could undermine your credibility. If your online presence consists mostly of attention-seeking stunts, recruiters may wonder whether you're genuinely interested in your career or simply looking for online fame.
Clout chasing can also tie you to a specific trend or moment in time. Trends fade quickly, and a video that goes viral today might become outdated or embarrassing tomorrow. If your TikTok is filled with outdated challenges, it might make you look like you're stuck in the past and not evolving in your field.
-Suggestions for Building a Professional, Authentic Online Presence:
- Focus on your expertise: Rather than chasing trends, share content that showcases your skills, knowledge, and personality. Whether it’s a tutorial, a career tip, or a personal reflection, ensure your content reflects who you are as a professional.
- Stay true to your brand: People are drawn to authenticity. Make sure your TikTok profile reflects your values, interests, and goals in a way that’s genuine to who you are. An authentic profile will resonate more with potential employers who are looking for a candidate with integrity and self-awareness.
- Engage with your followers meaningfully: Instead of focusing on viral content, take the time to engage with your audience in a way that adds value. Answer questions, offer advice, or create content that inspires or educates others in your field.
Trend 3: The “Tacky Fashion” Challenge
Fashion is a big part of TikTok culture, and trends come and go quickly. While experimenting with new styles can be fun, those seeking jobs should be cautious about how they present themselves. The "tacky fashion" trend often involves bold, sometimes outrageous fashion choices that don’t necessarily align with professional attire or corporate dress codes. In the context of job seeking, this can hurt your image.
-Why This Is a Problem:
Recruiters and hiring managers are used to evaluating candidates based on a variety of factors, and your appearance can be one of them. If your TikTok is filled with videos showcasing wild fashion choices, it could lead employers to question whether you understand the importance of dressing appropriately for different situations. While creativity is valuable, too much focus on fashion that’s out of sync with workplace expectations can give the impression that you lack the judgment to dress appropriately for work.
-Recommendations for Balancing Creativity with Professionalism:
- Know your audience: While creative expression is encouraged, try to match your fashion choices with the industry you're targeting. For example, a creative professional in fashion or design might get away with more experimental styles, but someone seeking a role in finance or law should be mindful of wearing too casual or flashy attire.
- Incorporate professional trends: Rather than going for extreme outfits, incorporate current fashion trends in a more refined way. Think about showing how you can put together a look that's stylish yet professional; this will make you stand out for the right reasons.
- Highlight your versatility: It's okay to experiment with fashion, but also show how you can adapt to different situations. A balanced TikTok profile with a mix of creative yet professional content can demonstrate that you're versatile, which is an attractive quality for any employer.
How to Stay Professional on TikTok while Job Seeking
TikTok can be a great tool when you’re looking for a job, but it’s important to keep your profile professional. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or share too much personal stuff, but remember, potential employers might check your profile. Here’s how to stay professional while still being yourself.
1. Set clear boundaries for your content.
It’s okay to share personal moments, but make sure they don’t overshadow your professional side. Avoid posting anything too personal or controversial, like rants or private details. Keep your focus on things that highlight your skills, hobbies, and values. This will help create a positive impression.
2. Be mindful of your language.
Watch how you speak and the words you use. TikTok can be a fun, casual space, but if you’re job hunting, aim for respectful, professional language. Avoid swearing or using language that could be seen as inappropriate by potential employers.
3. Showcase your skills.
Think of TikTok as another way to show off what you’re good at. Share tips, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes of projects you’re working on. This helps recruiters see your expertise and creativity. It also shows you’re engaged and passionate about your field.
4. Keep your visuals clean and polished.
Your profile picture and video quality matter. Choose a profile picture that looks professional but still feels true to who you are. Your videos should have good lighting and clear visuals. This doesn’t mean over-editing or being overly polished, just showing you care about the details.
5. Don’t forget privacy.
Set your account to private or limit your audience if you want to keep personal moments separate from your job search. Protect your privacy while still being present on the platform. This way, you can control who sees your content and keep your professional image intact.
Using TikTok Correctly for Career Growth
TikTok isn’t just for dance moves and funny memes; it can also be a great tool for career growth if you use it the right way. The key is to focus on sharing content that highlights your skills, values, and personality in a way that attracts potential employers or collaborators.
1. Create content that aligns with your career goals.
If you’re in tech, for example, share quick tips, tutorials, or industry insights. If you’re in marketing, share creative campaigns or marketing trends. This shows recruiters you’re knowledgeable and passionate about your field.
2. Make sure your profile reflects your professional side.
Use a clean, high-quality profile picture and write a bio that highlights what you do and what you’re looking for. This simple step can help potential employers or network connections understand who you are right away. It also shows that you take your online presence seriously and are committed to making a professional impression.
3. Engage with others in your industry.
Follow companies, comment on posts, and share your thoughts on trends. This not only helps you stay up-to-date but also builds connections that could lead to new opportunities. Engaging with industry leaders can also increase your visibility and credibility within your field.
4. Be consistent.
Posting regularly keeps you visible and shows your dedication. But remember, quality is more important than quantity. Focus on creating valuable content that supports your career goals and mental health, and helps you stand out for the right reasons.
Final Thoughts
TikTok can be a powerful tool, but it’s all about balance. You can still show your personality, creativity, and skills without crossing the line into content that could hurt your professional image with future employers. Keep things relevant to your career goals and avoid oversharing personal or controversial details. Remember, recruiters are looking for candidates who can represent their brand in a positive, professional light.
So, take a moment to review what you post, and ask yourself: “Does this help me get closer to my job goals?” If the answer is yes, keep sharing! If not, consider tweaking your content to stay on track for a successful career. Staying authentic while being mindful of your online presence can make all the difference.
