Since graduating from college, I have sent out hundreds of resumes to employers using every job search hack in the book. I have secured referrals, contacted recruiters, edited my resume for each job, and utilized keywords. And yet, it’s incredibly difficult to get a single response to any application. After all this time and effort, I’ve grown tired of never having the ball in my court, which is why I was excited to discover that job seekers are now turning to TikTok to get eyeballs on their resumes. In a new trend, job seekers are posting “mini resumes” in video form to network with other professionals and learn about job opportunities. Genius? I think so. Ahead, I’m breaking down exactly what a mini resume entails, how posting one on TikTok can help you in your job search, and more.
Stacey Ross Cohen
Stacey is an award-winning marketing professional who began her career on Madison Avenue and at major television networks, later founding Co-Communications in 1998—a marketing agency serving industries from healthcare to education. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Inc., USA Today, and Good Morning America, and her TEDx talk on personal branding has reached over 1.2 million viewers. She holds degrees from Syracuse and Fordham, and a certificate from NYU Stern. Passionate about helping students and entrepreneurs activate their personal brands, Stacey is the best-selling author of Brand Up and Brand Up 2.0, both praised by Barbara Corcoran and Mel Robbins.
What is a mini resume?
Traditional PDF resumes still have their place—but on TikTok, something different is catching on. Users are now sharing their “mini resumes” (simplified versions of their resumes) through short-form video. At the beginning of each video, there is a text overlay that reads, “I heard we’re connecting on LinkedIn… Here’s my mini resume:” This is followed by the user introducing themselves, their current role, the industry they work in, their accomplishments (or skills), and finally, their LinkedIn details. The purpose is to quickly highlight the most important elements of your resume in a creative and visually appealing way and then direct people to connect with you.
How a mini resume can help you land a job
Job seekers, like myself, are doing just about everything to find open roles, but oftentimes, finding the right one can come down to who you know. This is why networking is crucial, and what better way to do it than on a platform that reaches the entire world? One TikTok user, Lea Moreno, a PR and Marketing Director based in Atlanta, Georgia, posted her mini resume while she was on the train home from work, and by the time she got off, she already had 8k views—and it has over 146k now.
Moreno said she received over 3k LinkedIn invites within the first two days of her video being posted and has since made genuine connections in her industry. With that said, even connecting with one or two people could lead to a new friendly face in the field who can send you job recommendations, helpful leads, and tips for your search.
Experts are backing the trend, too, calling it an effective, low-lift strategy. Stacey Ross Cohen, a personal branding expert and best-selling author, says that posting a mini resume is a smart way to stand out. “It demonstrates adaptability, creativity, and drive—all qualities that employers value, no matter the season,” she explains. It also gives you control over your narrative in a way that traditional resumes and job applications can’t. “In today’s market, you need to be a master of first impressions—and a mini resume delivers just that.”
What to do after you post a mini resume
I wish I could say that all you have to do is post a mini resume and wait for your dream job to call you, but the truth is that the work doesn’t stop there. Cohen advises being consistent with how you showcase yourself and your skills across all platforms to build credibility—from your email signature and LinkedIn “About” section to your digital footprint altogether. Basically, if you’re going to direct people to your LinkedIn or give out your email address, make sure everything is up to date and that it accurately (and professionally) reflects where you are in your career journey.
While you’re at it, start becoming more active on LinkedIn by posting about your work wins or any new skills you have acquired. Commenting on industry content is an easy way to engage with your network and show your expertise, too, says Cohen. These low-lift actions will help you get your name seen by more people. You can also reach out to your new connections directly to introduce yourself and ask if they’ll keep you in mind when they see or hear of job opportunities that could be a fit for you.
“Unfortunately, many individuals do not have an extensive network or connections to get their foot in the door,” Morena said. “When movements like this come around, it’s a great opportunity to jump on board and meet individuals whom you might have never had the chance to.” So, if you want to create more career visibility, start by posting a mini resume and then keep up the momentum online. You truly never know who will see it or share it with the right people. Who knows, you might just have a new job by the end of the summer.
Averee Nelson, Copy Editor & Contributing Writer
Averee is an NYC-based lifestyle and wellness writer with a Master of Science in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She’s currently the copy editor of The Everygirl, where she proofreads and ensures articles are following the publication’s style guide. Averee’s editorial work can be found in Women’s Health, StyleCaster, Business Insider, and more.
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
