Young workers just entering the American workforce are growing frustrated over what they say are unrealistic expectations employers have for entry-level work, and several TikTokers whose worst interview experiences took social media by storm are sharing what they are doing about it.
Christine Stevens, a journalism graduate and author, went viral in May after sharing her experiences applying to entry-level roles in marketing, public relations and communications.
With over 2,000 TikTok followers, she recently warned her audience about scam companies she encountered and reported them to the Attorney General, with plans to notify the Department of Labor.
"I received an email from a suspicious company offering me a job without any interviews," Christine explained to HNGN. "They just sent an offer letter. The last sentence in the email said, 'In case you have any concerns or require further clarification, simply reply to this message with your telephone number, and we'll get back to you in a timely manner.'"
That raised red flags for Christine, as the company was offering her a job without having her phone number, seemingly attempting to obtain her personal information.
Christine says she is determined to stop scams preying on vulnerable job seekers.
@chrissycoolio Welcome back to a series of unfortunate events. It's time to start calling out these s***** companies! #thejobmarketsucks #s*****companies #fyp ♬ original sound - Chrissy
Influencer Emily Teter, with over 7,000 followers on TikTok, focuses her channel on direct-to-camera discussions about everyday life. Since being laid off, she's been documenting her job search journey, including an incident where a potential employer rescinded an offer.
When asked if she's concerned about future employers seeing her TikToks, Emily responded, "The reward is greater than the risk. I don't believe I'm saying anything on TikTok that would be an HR offense. The community I've created and the people I've met as a result make it worthwhile."
@emilylatrue Replying to @grace I am so sick of thissss #layoff #layoffs #techsales #tech #saas #techlayoffs #9to5 #corporateamerica #corporate #sales #accountexecutive #job #jobmarket #laidoff #jobsearch #interview #joboffer ♬ original sound - Emily
Giovanna Ventola, who has over 23,000 followers on TikTok, started her channel by discussing her struggles with unemployment. As her following grew, she decided to create a free networking community on Slack called Rhize.
"The community started at the end of February when I set a goal to get hired somewhere by April 1," Giovanna explains. "I invited anyone who wanted to join me to send an email. I received hundreds of responses, so I decided to create a Slack group for easier communication."
Since then, Rhize has grown to nearly 2,000 members on Slack, hosting weekly networking calls. Members share their successes in a dedicated 'wins' channel, where each achievement often leads to further networking opportunities within the community.
Giovanna reflects, "It's bizarre. It's one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life, watching people succeed and help each other."
@giovanna.ventola join us all week! #fyp #unemployed #jobmarket #workshop #jobseeker @Teal | Job Search Tips @Mike Peditto | Job Search Talk @David Fano ♬ original sound - Giovanna
The rise of unemployment content on TikTok reflects broader trends in social media use for career development and highlights the platform's potential for community building around shared experiences.
Influencers say they expect to play an increasingly significant role in shaping how people approach unemployment and career transitions.
