Following a trend that began a couple of years ago, TikTok and other social media platforms have become integral tools in the job search efforts of many Gen Zers, those born between 1997 and 2012. And you may want to consider incorporating social media into your job search as well.
While most people turn to TikTok for entertainment, more and more are using it for serious endeavors, including searching for jobs. And an increasing number of people are spending time on the popular social media platform.
Who’s on TikTok?
According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, one-third of American adults are TikTok users, and the data breaks down further to:
- 59% of people under 30
- 40% of those age 30 to 49
- 26% of those age 50 to 64
- 10% of people age 64 and older
But it is those under 30 years of age who are incorporating the social media platform into their job search and careers. They use it for career info and job search tips. They’re even creating TikTok video resumes, although these resumes have been a bit controversial. They can encourage hiring managers to rule some applicants out based on subconscious bias due to appearance, race or other factors without giving job seekers a chance to present their case in person.
Social media revolutionizes Gen Zers job search tactics
In an online survey of 896 U.S. Gen Z employees conducted in January by resume site Zety and published in Zety’s 2025 Gen Z Career Trends Report, the company discovered how social media, and especially TikTok and Instagram, is continuing to revolutionize the way young job seekers look for work.
Among its findings include the fact that:
- 46% of Gen Z job seekers have found an internship or a job through TikTok and 64% through Instagram.
- 76% use Instagram to learn about careers, more than twice as many as who use LinkedIn.
The top preferred social media content is:
- Job search resources, including job postings, resume writing and interview tips, mentioned by 60% of respondents.
- Career advancement advice, such as networking tips and professional development, mentioned by 61%.
Another survey, this one of 1,000 respondents conducted last year by Pollfish for ResumeBuilder concentrated solely on TikTok.
It found that:
- 70% of Gen Zers seek career advice on TikTok weekly.
- 41% made a career decision based on advice they received on the platform.
- 15% received a job offer through an opportunity they found on TikTok.
- 80% of Gen Zers have used TikTok as a networking tool.
Based on the continuously changing job search scene, you may want to explore using TikTok and other social media platforms as tools to pursue your job search, if you haven’t already done so. It will not only show that you are up to date on employing social media, but they may just help you find a job.
How to get started
Using TikTok for your job search can be a powerful way to stand out—especially if you’re in a creative field or looking to showcase personality and skills in a dynamic way. Here are a few good resources to help you learn and get started with how to effectively incorporate this social media platform into your job search:
- Using TikTok for job advice and launching careers
- Gen Zers are landing job interviews through TikTok
- How to Use TikTok to Find Your Next Career
