Photo: Primakov (Shutterstock)
TikTok wants to offer you more than simple mindless entertainment—now it also wants to help you find a job—by inviting users to submit video resumes for jobs from participating companies like Chipotle or Target. The pilot program, called “TikTok Resumes,” skews towards Gen Z job-seekers looking for entry level positions out of college. Here’s what you need to know.
What is TikTok Resumes?
Eschewing the familiar cover letter and resume, TikTok is encouraging users to highlight their skills and job experience by posting a personal essay video on a public #TikTokResumes channel. You can also submit your video for jobs directly; a new job listings page has openings for the NBA, Shopify, Forever 21, NASCAR, and the WWE (the submission form for these jobs allows you to provide a LinkedIn URL, as well).
Employers will then review the videos and schedule interviews with applicants directly. For now, the pilot program is for U.S. job openings only—through July 31. The jobs currently listed are mostly entry-level positions at retail chains, although there’s work available for applicants who have strong content creation and social media skills, too.
What is a video resume?
TikTok says a video resume should highlight your skills or experience “in a creative way,” and it provides examples of good video resumes here. For more tips on how to create a standout video and submit it to TikTok job board, check out this video, too.
G/O Media may get a commission
Since these videos are on a public channel, TikTok recommends you don’t include personal information like an email address in your video—companies can contact you directly through the app.
Will video resumes be the new way to apply for jobs?
While well-produced video essays might help companies identify talent for content creation jobs, it’s less clear why these skills would be needed for an entry-level job at Target. In fact, you could argue that a video format makes a candidate more vulnerable to being dismissed early in the hiring process based on how they look or act on camera, even if their experience qualifies them for the job.
Plus, it’s not obvious why these videos have to be public, aside from generating free content for TikTok. Before video resumes can be accepted more widely, you’d think these concerns would need to be addressed.
