10 CareerTok creators you should be following

You might think that TikTok isn’t serious when it comes to career advice, but If you’re looking for quick tips you can, there are plenty of career coaches, recruiters, HR experts, and business owners sharing advice on the platform. If you have a particular issue, you might want to research deeper, more curated content, but there is something to be said for bitesize videos on common career questions.

Are you looking for interesting answers to tricky interview questions? No problem! Want a walk-through of how to handle an offer? There are skits for every situation. Don’t know whether to quit or not? You’ll find content on TikTok that might help you decide. Like any online content, you need to take a discerning approach and make sure the advice you’re following actually comes from someone who knows what they’re talking about. If you need a little helping hand, check out the top creators to follow on CareerTok.

Wisdom from experienced recruiters

1. As the founder of a boutique recruitment firm and former agency recruiter, Darci Smith serves up her unique brand of interview and work contract advice under the pseudonym @careercoachdarci. With tips for your resume and LinkedIn profile, some “what not to do” clips, and a plethora of interview techniques, her practical approach is refreshingly watchable.

2. Like Darci, there’s no doubt that @anna..papaila knows her stuff. As a former director a talent acquisition turned career coach she has seen things from both sides. Her advice is clear, direct, and carefully crafted, focussing on interview styles, how to answer certain questions, and how to come across well. If you love it, you can check out her other platforms or read her book, Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing.

3. Talent acquisition expert, Mike Peditto, has made a name for himself as @realisticrecruiting. He’s relatable and knowledgeable and he’s not afraid to challenge the status quo or talk about taboo subjects. He gives examples and tips for interviewing but also empathetic advice for those who are out of work, hate their job or just feel stuck.

Relatable content

4. Set up in Q&A format with herself playing both roles, @erinmcgoff educates and entertains in AdviceWithErin. She bills herself as “your internet big sis” and it does feel like you’re having a cozy chat with a wiser friend. Her advice ranges from how to make basic jobs look better on your resume, to interview questions to ask or handling pre-interview anxiety. There’s also some general life advice, but if that’s not your thing you can just scroll on by.

5. Also posting both career and life advice is @hannahgetshired. Her content may not be 100% work-focused, but don’t let the girl-next-door vibes put you off. What she has to say is often spot on and you’ll get a ton of clever titbits on getting hired, even when you’re watching her do her hair or makeup. As an ex-tech recruiter and current marketing manager, her content centers around negotiating contracts and well…getting hired.

Not just for newbies

So far you might be thinking that all this is great if you’re going for your first job or new to the interview scene, but what about beyond that? Believe it or not, CareerTok is not just for newbies, here are some later career influencers worth a watch.

6. If you’re looking for leadership advice, then @GinnyLeads dishes out insightful advice in her calm manner, inspiring those who may need a confidence boost, and always leading with empathy and integrity. Her videos include tips on curating a culture where people can speak up, creating your leadership brand, and developing your narrative. She also offers suggestions for empowering your team and considering whether your loyalty is misplaced. As for her credentials, she’s a former executive recruiter and has 35 years of experience at companies like Google, Spencer Stuart, and JLL. If you want more of her content, she also happens to be an expert at The Lab by Welcome to the Jungle!

7. Laura Whaley aka @LoeWhaley shares advice on all things related to the workplace with humor and creativity. Her relatable skits often finish with the catchphrase “toodle-oo” and showcase how to translate basic concepts into work speak (and vice-versa), looking out for red flags at work and how people react to workplace changes. It’s tongue in cheek, but she shares sparks of day-to-day workplace wisdom in her own fun way.

8. Looking for a channel that focuses on communication skills and climbing the corporate ladder? Look no further than Anna Belyaeva of @thecareerdiet (if the whole dream career/6-figure salary thing doesn’t give you the ick). Her advice is clear and often aimed at women who have a hard time making themselves heard or are overly apologetic at work.

Something a little different

9. If you like your advice in bullet point form rather than drawn out, some might ask why you’re looking on TikTok, but there’s a career influencer for you too. Take a look at @yourcareerbuddy. The main focus of this content is how not to answer certain interview questions, so it’s a good one to check out pre-interview – especially if you forgot your headphones — no sound required!

10. If you prefer your advice with a slightly shouty British accent, then check out @careervidz – McMunn’s brand of humor is not everyone’s cup of tea, and many comments criticize his shouting, but Richard has over 4.5million followers and a thriving careers business behind the channel that’s been about for years.

A bonus channel for those who need it: Quitting your job

With 6 years as a career coach under her belt, Mandy Tang of @careercoachmandy decided people needed just as much help exiting a role as they did entering and set out to make that her specialty. She launched her workbook, Should I Quit? from which she shares in snippets on TikTok along with feedback from people who have used it and found it works for them. So, if you’re stuck in a job you don’t love, ready for a change, or just want to learn how to go about quitting your job in style (while gaining what you need from it first) check out Mandy’s content.

Short, snappy, informative, and entertaining, what’s not to love about CareerTok? You can find tips on pretty much anything related to the workplace. Wherever you stand in the job market, you can easily convince yourself that 20 minutes or so scrolling on TikTok counts as research for your next big move, meeting, or interview. So, you’ve got nothing to lose. From starting your job hunt to signing a contract and beyond, CareerTok has something to offer you.

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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