Recruit
Career advice on TikTok has soared in popularity, with countless videos on everything from securing a promotion to perfecting your 1:1 with the boss.
Some have even dubbed it the “new LinkedIn” for young professionals. With over 183,000 videos under #CareerTikTok, it seems there’s no shortage of quick-fix tips and industry insights.
However, according to recruitment expert Adrien Kallel from RemotePeople, an international recruitment agency, these four trending tips may actually end up sabotaging your hard-won reputation at work.
Bare minimum Mondays
Let’s be honest, Mondays aren’t most people’s favourite day. But the viral #BareMinimumMondays trend is taking the Monday blues to the next level, encouraging people to start the week by doing as little as possible.
How It Works
Bare Minimum Monday advocates for taking it easy at the start of the week by doing the least amount of work possible. The idea is that after a stressful weekend or a chaotic start to the week, workers deserve to ease into their responsibilities without facing burnout immediately.
Potential Pitfalls
While setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care are important, routinely practicing Bare Minimum Monday can be interpreted as a lack of ambition, dedication, or drive. In many competitive work environments, especially those that value productivity, this trend can be seen as disengagement. It could lead to lower performance, missed opportunities for professional growth, and a perception that you’re not fully invested in your role.
“Although self-care is essential, regularly coasting on Mondays can easily give the impression of disengagement,” the expert warns.
In the long run, it can make you seem indifferent to your responsibilities or career progression.
— Adrien Kallel Recruitment Expert, Remote People
👉🏻 A Better Option
Instead of minimizing effort on Mondays, try setting a more manageable work pace by prioritizing tasks and using your Mondays to plan strategically for the week.
You can still practice self-care without sacrificing productivity by structuring your day with focused sprints of work followed by short breaks.
This balance promotes sustained energy and helps build momentum for a more successful workweek.
Quit Tok
If there’s a dramatic career moment to share, TikTok will hear about it, especially when it comes to “QuitTok,” the trend of posting resignation videos. While these clips might garner viral attention, they leave a permanent record of your departure.
Recording your resignation may seem like an empowering moment, but it’s also a public display of how you handle workplace transitions.
— Adrien Kallel Recruitment Expert, Remote People
“Future employers might view it as a signal that you could bring personal or company matters into the public eye, a potential concern for professional conduct.” says the expert.
How It Works
QuitTok has seen people sharing stories about quitting jobs in dramatic ways, sometimes in anger or frustration. This viral trend emphasizes “life is too short” and encourages people to leave toxic work environments, often without backup plans.
Potential Pitfalls
While it’s true that toxic workplaces should be addressed, making impulsive career decisions based on social media trends can be reckless. Quitting a job without a plan can lead to financial strain, gap in employment, and a loss of professional credibility. Additionally, if employers are aware of this trend, they may view you as a flight risk, which could hinder future job prospects.
👉🏻 A Better Option
Rather than quitting impulsively, take a more measured approach. If your workplace is toxic, explore other avenues such as HR reporting, counseling, or talking to a mentor about your situation.
If quitting is the only option, ensure you have a solid plan in place—secure another job or save up enough to make the transition smooth.
Prioritize long-term stability over the thrill of a viral TikTok moment.
Quiet quitting
“Quiet Quitting” has taken over TikTok, with people openly discussing their decision to meet only the bare minimum expectations at work.
Although some argue it’s a way to maintain work-life balance, openly promoting quiet quitting can tarnish your reputation with current and future employers.
Similarly, a phenomenon called quiet firing often exacerbates the issue. In quiet firing, employers subtly push employees to resign by creating an unwelcoming or disengaging environment. This can manifest in neglecting an employee’s needs, excluding them from important meetings, or limiting their opportunities for growth.
For a deeper dive into quiet firing and its impact, check out our guide on what it is and how to address it.
How It Works
The Quit Quitting trend encourages workers to stop resigning from their jobs and to “keep pushing” even in the face of burnout or dissatisfaction. The idea is to stay committed to the grind, no matter the personal cost.
Potential Pitfalls
This trend dangerously glamorizes overwork, leading to poor mental health, physical exhaustion, and, ultimately, a drop in performance. Encouraging individuals to push through burnout, instead of taking a step back, can lead to feelings of resentment, lack of motivation, and even self-sabotage. No one benefits in the long term from a stressed-out, burned-out employee.
“Talking about ‘quiet quitting’ signals a lack of commitment,” the expert points out.
Employers are looking for individuals who are engaged and proactive, and this trend could make you appear disengaged or uninterested in growth.
— Adrien Kallel Recruitment Expert, Remote People
“Even if you’re feeling burned out, discussing it in public might not be the best strategy for long-term career advancement,” recommends the expert.
👉🏻 A Better Option
Instead of pushing yourself to the breaking point, focus on the importance of work-life balance and setting boundaries. Prioritize rest, ask for help when needed, and speak up if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
A productive, sustainable career is built on pacing yourself, not on sacrificing personal well-being for the sake of overwork.
White fonting on CVs
A TikTok hack known as “white fonting” suggests hiding job-related keywords in white text on CVs, making them invisible to the eye but still detectable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). It’s a tactic to game the system, boosting your CV’s keyword score to land that all-important first interview.
How It Works
White fronting refers to the practice of altering or exaggerating details on your CV to make yourself appear more qualified or experienced than you truly are. This can include inflating job titles, claiming experience you don’t have, or presenting yourself as an expert in a field where you’re still learning.
Potential Pitfalls
Misrepresentation on your CV may lead to short-term gains, but the long-term consequences are severe. If you’re caught, you could lose job offers or current employment. Even if you’re not caught, pretending to be someone you’re not can be exhausting and ultimately unsustainable. It sets unrealistic expectations for your job performance, leading to stress, imposter syndrome, and a diminished reputation.
“Recruiters have become savvy to this trick, and it often raises red flags.” the expert warns.
Many view it as dishonest, which risks damaging your reputation for integrity. Being caught out could harm your chances far more than a straightforward CV would.
— Adrien Kallel Recruitment Expert, Remote People
👉🏻 A Better Option
Honesty is always the best policy. Instead of exaggerating, focus on highlighting your genuine skills, experiences, and potential.
If you’re missing qualifications, don’t be afraid to admit it. Emphasize your willingness to learn and grow, and pursue the professional development needed to bridge the gap.
Employers value authenticity and the capacity for improvement more than an inflated, unsustainable version of yourself.
While CareerTikTok is a great source of entertainment and inspiration, following viral trends without considering their long-term effects can be detrimental to your career.
Ultimately, career success is built on a foundation of honesty, sustainability, and strategic growth. Focus on making deliberate, thoughtful decisions in your professional journey, and remember that what may seem trendy now could have lasting consequences if not approached with caution.
Stay mindful, stay authentic, and invest in your future, not just your TikTok clout!
