TikTok has become the "most accessible resource" for Gen Z to find career advice, dream jobs, and even get hired.

In 2024, the American labor force will see a shift as Gen Z workers are predicted to surpass baby boomers in number. However, the youngest generation in the workforce, with the oldest members being 27, is currently being treated as a novelty, with their email signatures, salary expectations, and more being closely scrutinized. CNBC Make It delves into how Gen Zers are truly making their mark on career advice, office culture, and more.

Baron Leung was caught off guard by the impact of a two-minute video on his career path.

In April 2023, Leung created a humorous TikTok video titled "Why You Should Hire Baron." The video features Leung standing in front of a PowerPoint presentation and making a pitch to potential employers, all while elevator music plays in the background.

Leung describes himself as a "workaholic" and highlights his strengths, including creativity ("I'm not just thinking outside the box, I'm going back in and making sure we didn't leave our wallets in there") and leadership ("I coach high school rugby in my free time, if I can get 50 teenage boys to listen, I can make anyone listen").

After a frustrating job search, Leung attempted to capture the hiring manager's attention with a "last-ditch effort" video.

In March 2023, the 28-year-old left his job at an ad agency without another opportunity secured and, after two months of unsuccessful job searches, his hope began to dwindle.

"Leung, a resident of Toronto, shared with CNBC Make It that she struggled to find a way to stand out in the job market. She discovered that showcasing her personality through a TikTok video could be a more effective way to showcase her skills and stand out from the competition."

Within days of sharing a video on LinkedIn, a recruiter from Zenith, an ad agency, contacted Leung and asked if he was still searching for employment.

He was hired as a media planner at Zenith in Toronto weeks later, due to his strong TikTok presence.

Leung just celebrated his first anniversary at the agency and says TikTok got him a job he loves. Isn't that crazy?

TikTok, while famous for fashion hauls, dance routines, and comedy skits, has also gained popularity among young jobseekers looking for career advice and opportunities.

Searching for a job can be overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources available online. From tips on how to "act your wage" to "quiet quitting" a job you hate, the #jobsearch, #careertok, and #corporatebaddies hashtags are full of advice and rants about work.

Advice for Gen Z and younger millennials navigating the post-pandemic work environment.

TikTok use is widespread among young Americans, with 56% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 34 using the platform, according to a February 2024 report from the Pew Research Center. Many are using the app to guide their careers, with 41% of Gen Zers making a career-related decision based on TikTok advice, 15% receiving a job offer through the app, and nearly 80% using it to network, according to a recent ResumeBuilder.com survey of 1,000 Gen Zers. However, this could soon change as President Joe Biden signed a law in April 2024 to ban TikTok in the U.S. unless it is sold within a year.

The advice on TikTok for careers is similar to that found in podcasts, YouTube videos, and LinkedIn articles, but the visuals and format are more engaging for Gen Z.

Using TikTok to find their next career

Jade Walters says her career would look "completely different" without TikTok.

In July 2021, shortly after graduating from Howard University, the 24-year-old took part in the "TikTok Resumes" pilot program.

Young jobseekers were invited by companies like Chipotle and Target to create a video resume through the app, and those with standout clips were invited to start a formal hiring process.

Gen Z is challenging traditional workplace norms and breaking free from the constraints of meetings and set work hours. With nearly 70% of Gen Zers freelancing or planning to do so, the idea of applying to a job is no longer a consideration for many.

She landed a PR internship with Ulta for the summer, but was worried about finding a full-time job. Her clip, featuring photos of her college experience and a voiceover detailing her campus extracurriculars and past internships, received more than 15,000 views in weeks.

In September 2021, Walters relocated to Chicago to work as a media planner for TikTok, after also catching the attention of a recruiter there.

At the same time, Walters began creating career advice videos on TikTok under the handle @theninthsemester, targeting college students and recent graduates like herself.

"Walters, a first-generation college student, has discovered TikTok to be the most convenient platform for career guidance. Since schools often neglect to teach interviewing and job application skills, Walters aimed to create a resource to assist and connect with other young professionals."

In early 2023, Walters left her job at the social media giant but the app helped her secure her next opportunity.

After quitting her job at Yello, Walters' former boss discovered her career advice videos and invited her to speak on a panel for Yello's employees. Later, Walters learned that her former boss was looking for a new job and invited her to apply for an open role on her team as an employer branding specialist.

Walters, who resides in Chicago, has been employed for approximately one year. She collaborates with employers to devise strategies that will entice young talent, such as virtual job fairs, articles promoting their employee advantages, and the occasional TikTok video.

"TikTok played a huge role in my dream job," says Walters. "I am so happy at this point in my career."

The career confidante for Gen Z

TikTok is often the first place Grace Dunlavy will go for career advice.

In 2022, she utilized the app to evaluate various career options as she neared the end of her senior year at Saint Louis University.

On TikTok, two of the most popular genres are "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) and "A Day In My Life" (DIML) videos, where individuals showcase their morning or workday routines while explaining their profession. Dunlavy would search for videos in these categories from individuals with jobs she was interested in, such as a "DIML Communications Specialist."

"Dunlavy, who now works as an account executive at Codeword, a communications design agency, in New York, was searching for a real-life simulation of what his life would look like if he chose to go down a certain path. Although TikTok appears picturesque at times, there are some honest creators who show what their days consist of, even the bad parts."

Watching videos of recent graduates working in public relations gave the 24-year-old the confidence to apply for PR jobs in New York and inspired agencies to apply to.

Dunlavy now sources tips for increasing her confidence at work and finding a mentor on TikTok. Watching a 30-second video about writing stronger emails has been "incredibly helpful" as a young professional still finding her way in the professional world, she says.

The drawbacks of getting career advice on TikTok

While TikTok can be advantageous for Gen Z and millennial professionals, there are potential drawbacks to using the app for career purposes.

"Balancing authenticity with oversharing or complaining is crucial, advises Bonnie Dilber, a recruiting leader at software firm Zapier. While it's okay to share improvements or challenges in the workplace, excessive venting may make a company less inclined to collaborate with you."

Dilber, 41, has a TikTok following of nearly 70,000 — she began sharing resume and interview advice on the platform in 2022 and quickly gained a following among young professionals.

She advises young workers to learn from employees in their desired industries about what not to post on TikTok.

Dilber notes that while some companies view TikTok as an advantage, others may see it as a disadvantage. She observes that TikTok is widely used in creative fields such as marketing, public relations, communications, and graphic design, but less frequently employed in more traditional industries like finance and law.

Shoshanna Davis, the founder of Fairy Job Mother, a career consultancy that works with companies that hire Gen Zers, is concerned about the ease with which anyone can provide career advice on TikTok without proper credentials.

"TikTok videos with high viewership should not be relied upon as accurate or valuable advice by managers."

It's crucial to verify any career advice found on social media, whether it's checking the user's LinkedIn profile or cross-referencing it with a blog from a business school or professional organization like the Society for Human Resource Management.

While TikTok can aid in connecting with employers and enhancing interview skills, Davis emphasizes that it only takes you so far in the job search. To truly land a job, you must demonstrate your skills and experience match the job requirements. TikTok may not always convey the complete picture.

To secure your dream job in 2024, enroll in CNBC's new online course, "How to Ace Your Job Interview," which covers what hiring managers truly value, effective body language, smart interview responses, and the art of discussing compensation.

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