Social Media Career Advice Has Cost Gen Z — Here's How Much
Nearly every Gen Z worker has come across career advice on social media, but following it can come at a cost.
A recent survey by Zety, an online resume and career platform, found that 94% of Gen Z admitted they followed viral career advice that turned out to be misleading or negatively affected their job search.
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Experts say some of the most popular tips can lead to longer job searches, lower salaries and costly career missteps. Here's how social media career advice has cost Gen Z.
1. Wasted Money on Resume “Fixes”
Social media is full of promises that an “ATS-optimized” resume can help jobseekers beat hiring software.
However, career strategist Don Pippin of area|Talent, said that's one of the most expensive myths circulating online.
“The market is tough and rejection is hard,” Pippin said. “People spend anywhere from $150 to $5,000 on 'ATS-optimized' resumes that promise to beat the bots. There is no bot to beat.”
Pippin explained that employers typically screen applicants using job-specific requirements, not resume tricks. While a professionally written resume can help, he said paying for services that promise to outsmart applicant tracking systems is often money wasted.
“It’s a scare tactic that feeds on a poor job market and after spending that money, you are in the same position,” he said.
2. Longer Job Searches
Social media is filled with videos promising AI can write the perfect resume in seconds. Career coach Ellen Steverson of StartingBlock Career Services said the shortcut can backfire when candidates land an interview.
“Resumes are supposed to be the starting blocks of a strong interview,” Steverson said. “When AI does the writing, people walk into interviews unable to expand upon those bullets to real stories and wins.”
Steverson said, the result can be a longer job search, depleted savings and pressure to accept a lower-paying role.
“Every extra month out of work burns savings and makes it more likely they accept less than they are worth,” she said.
3. Missed Promotions
The viral TikTok “act your wage” movement encourages workers to avoid taking on responsibilities outside their job description unless they're guaranteed more pay.
While the message is meant to protect employees from being taken advantage of, career coach Ellen Raim of People Matter, LLC said following it too closely can limit long-term earning potential.
“A lot of early-career earning power comes from being the person your manager sponsors,” she said.
Taking on stretch assignments can build trust, increase visibility and create opportunities for promotions and larger raises. Turning down those opportunities, she said, may leave workers with fewer chances to advance.
“They also may be seen as difficult to work with, which may lead to negative performance reviews and smaller raises,” Raim said.
4. Costly Job Hops
For years, social media has promoted job hopping as the fastest way to earn more money.
Lacey Kaelani, CEO of Metaintro, a job search engine, said the trend has reversed. Job switchers are now earning less than workers who remain with their employers. In addition, signing bonuses are at their lowest levels since 2020.
Kaelani said outdated job-hopping advice can become costly as the job market changes. Frequent moves may limit promotions and retirement benefits while encouraging spending on credentials that no longer add value.
5. Lost Income
Social media often encourages workers to quit jobs that make them unhappy.
Steverson said acting on that advice without another position lined up can become an expensive mistake.
For example, she said a Gen Z professional sought her advice after following an influencer’s advice to quit his job. Seven months later, he was still without a paycheck and facing growing financial strain.
Steverson said longer periods of unemployment can drain savings and leave jobseekers feeling pressured to accept the first offer they receive instead of negotiating for better pay.
Bottom Line
Social media can still be a valuable career tool.
The Zety survey found that 69% of Gen Z have landed a job through Instagram, while 28% have found one on TikTok.
But experts say there's a difference between finding opportunities online and treating viral advice as a career roadmap.
Before making a major career decision, Raim recommends looking for evidence that the advice has worked for someone in a similar situation. If it can't be backed up, she said, treat it as “a thought-provoking idea, not a foolproof plan.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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