While the internet has exploded with how-to guides for candidates to create the most effective TikTok job application, some commentators are reluctant to embrace a scheme they say could entrench biases.

“Age, race, gender discrimination, sexual or gender identity, national origin, are areas in which it would be easy to discriminate, either on purpose or subconsciously — although how would a candidate ever know why they weren’t selected for an interview?” questioned Dagmar Ebaugh, global head of social media strategy and operations for Atlanta-based environmental, social and governance consultancy, UL.

“To filter them out at the resume level seems like it would probably exclude a large group of qualified candidates,” she added.

Companies using TikTok Resumes also stand to commit “a recruitment fail” by overlooking introverted talent, said a Warsaw-based product manager at a large tech firm, who agreed to speak candidly under anonymity.

“This approach excludes a lot of people for the worst reasons. A humble, introverted person who might otherwise have excellent skills will have a lot of issues making a TikTok,” they said, adding that “incredible talent goes unnoticed” given the way social media has shaped communication.

Favoring extroverts and encouraging appearance-based discrimination are also two reasons Felicia Daniel, HR manager at employee engagement software company TINYpulse, has reservations over TikTok Resumes. She’s concerned about platforms like TikTok Resumes further encouraging the practice of hiring those “who act and look like themselves” and echoes Arkaie’s point on introverts.

“I worry it will benefit the ‘influencer’ type. Someone who is sharing their lives publicly on social media is a much different person than someone who is a bit more private, including myself,” Daniel added.

Yet she concedes there is value for candidates in conveying unique skills via video that will be crucial post-pandemic, like communication and emotional intelligence. TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Certainly, early TikTok Resumes adopters in the media and entertainment arenas are enthusiastic about assessing the increasingly important skill of social content creation, and as a new avenue for discovering untapped talent.

Influencer marketing agency Whalar has posted job opportunities on TikTok Resumes ranging from entry-level to senior roles. It hired its new associate director of creative and social strategy, Sierra Reed, after she posted this application.

“TikTok Resumes has exciting potential to be another way for us to discover incredible talent who might not see our roles through the more traditional channels,” said Neil Waller, co-founder of Whalar, which has done work with brands like Vodafone and MAC, …read more

Source:: Digiday