3 Dangerous TikTok Trends Job Seekers Should Ignore

While TikTok is a great platform for finding cute animal videos, fun dance moves and the latest social media challenges, there may be better places to get career counseling. 

From dubious advice on handling burnout to a trend promoting the creation of videos that could put your professional reputation in jeopardy, here are three career-related TikTok trends to avoid. 

Bare Minimum Mondays:

What it is: Bare Minimum Mondays (BMM) is a workplace trend that advises workers to do the least amount of work possible on Mondays to ease into the work week.

How it works: BMM can vary based on the role, but examples of how employees are embracing this trend include starting work later, leaving earlier, responding to fewer emails, avoiding meetings, and more—all with the intention of making Mondays less overwhelming.

Potential pitfalls of this trend: While the idea of BMM might be a tempting way to avoid burnout and the anxiety many workers feel at the start of the work week, this trend can easily backfire. 

First, starting the week with unfinished tasks can lead to a stressful buildup. After all, a mellow Monday might make for a Terrible Tuesday. 

Also, consistently doing the bare minimum can lead to your employer viewing you as someone who lacks commitment or enthusiasm. These perceptions can hinder career advancement and damage your professional reputation in the long run.

A better option: Rather than committing to doing less on Mondays, consider designing strategies that help you keep up a steady pace while minimizing stress. From creating a daily schedule to using online planning tools, many options are available to help you stay on track without burning out.

If those tactics don’t help, it may be time to speak to your manager about your workload. Communicate openly about your need for better work-life balance and any burnout you may be experiencing. If that isn’t effective, consider looking for a new role in a work environment that is better aligned with your personal and professional needs. 

Quit-Tok: 

What it is: Quit-Tok is a TikTok trend where employees record themselves resigning from their jobs and share the videos on social media.

How it works: Some people record themselves as they write or submit their resignation letters, while others covertly film their meetings with HR to capture their job resignation on camera.

Potential pitfalls of this trend: Posting this type of video isn’t beneficial for professionals across any industry. Although it might attract some clicks and a handful of new followers, it could also lead to serious repercussions.

First, social media leaves a permanent digital footprint, meaning potential employers can find these videos. Sharing them could make hiring managers perceive you as unprofessional or vindictive, potentially jeopardizing your chances for future roles. This could seriously impact your professional career for years to come. After all, no employer wants to risk hiring someone who could damage their reputation.

Second, depending on the content of your video and how it was filmed, the videos could be seen as defamatory by the company and potentially get you in legal trouble. Before you post anything related to your job on social media, check with your HR department to learn more about the company’s social media policies.

A better option: When you are unhappy with your job, it’s common to fantasize about going out with a bang, but think twice before participating in Quit-Tok. Doing so could burn down your career. Instead, write a professional resignation letter and have a short, polite conversation with your boss. Remember, some industries are quite small, and it’s not uncommon for people you are working with (or for) now to resurface down the road. Do your best not to burn bridges.

If you feel you must air your professional grievances online, there are smarter ways than using TikTok. Websites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn offer anonymous ways to review your company and voice valid concerns. If and when you post, be intentional about your language and avoid trashing your previous employer or colleagues. Always ask yourself, “Would I want my current or future boss to see this?” before you hit the share button. 

White Fonting:

What it is: This trend refers to the practice of adding critical keywords or even the full text of a job ad to a resume in small, white font, making it undetectable to the eye but, in theory, readable to an applicant tracking system (ATS). Some TikTok videos claim this can help your resume rank well with an ATS and get recruiters’ attention.

How it works:Those who employ white fonting typically add a list of keywords or the complete job description at the bottom of their resume. By changing the font color to white and significantly reducing font size, the intent is for the ATS to read the “invisible” text and, thanks to the inclusion of relevant keywords, make a resume rise to the top of the ATS ranking system. 

Potential pitfalls of this trend: While using white font to bypass an ATS might seem like a clever trick, its effectiveness is questionable. A competent recruiter can quickly assess whether your resume aligns with the job requirements, regardless of ATS ranking. If your resume content doesn't closely match the role, you’ll likely be disqualified, no matter how it appears in the ATS. Getting caught employing this trick will result in immediate rejection from the job in question and make you a persona non-grata with the recruiter.

A better option: Instead of wasting time hiding text with white font, invest those precious minutes learning how to craft a resume that you can easily tailor to each job description. This approach ensures that your resume is relevant and engaging and helps you highlight your most applicable skills and experiences. Once you get the hang of it, customizing your resume becomes quick and efficient, taking only a few minutes without the risk of your tactics backfiring and raising red flags for employers.

While TikTok can be a fun and entertaining space, it’s essential to approach professional advice offered on the platform with caution. The trends mentioned might seem like appealing career hacks, but they can have a lasting impact on your professional reputation and job prospects—and not a positive one. 

Instead of using TikTok’s tips and tricks, focus on career strategies that ensure long-term growth and success, like maintaining open communication with your employer, creating effective work-life balance solutions, and learning how to tailor your resume to individual job ads. Remember, building a successful career takes time and a commitment to professionalism, not quick fixes or viral trends.