This as-told-to essay draws from a discussion with Erin McGoff and has been adjusted for length and clarity.

I have long been the go-to person among friends for career tips. Working as a freelance film editor required me to build connections in a tough field, giving me solid experience both in landing roles and bringing others onto projects.

When the pandemic stopped my documentary editing work, I joined many others in trying TikTok. On a sudden impulse I posted a clip offering interview guidance, focusing on the tough prompt to describe yourself. My tip was straightforward: one sentence on your background, one on your current role, and one on where you aim to go.

The next morning the clip had drawn strong attention and my inbox was full of replies. I felt uneasy about becoming an influencer, worried it might hurt my standing in film as a young woman. I removed the app right away.

Social media gave me a direct line to viewers

Around the same period I signed a deal with National Geographic to help start their TikTok presence. At the same time I grew tired of the film world and its constant need for approval to pursue the projects I cared about.

I began to view the platform as a route to reach people without gatekeepers and create positive change. My film work had always aimed to improve things, yet I saw that documentaries moved slowly while social media delivered results faster.

In 2022 I stepped away from National Geographic to make TikTok my main job. My husband steady income helped make the shift possible. I approached the work like a real business from day one and that approach has paid off.

Data and daily experiences with work often differ

My followers are largely women between 18 and 40. I cover topics from interview answers to handling difficult managers and announcing a pregnancy at work, which feels timely as I prepare for my first child.

I put time into studying employment patterns and also listen to the steady stream of notes from viewers. This mix keeps me aware of both official numbers and real-life stories, which sometimes match and sometimes do not.

Add AI skills to your résumé and refresh LinkedIn

Many job seekers face delays right now because of market swings and the rise of AI, which makes firms slow to hire. The hiring process itself adds friction, with AI-written résumés flooding inboxes and making it harder to stand out.

Even with its downsides, I urge job hunters to use AI. List your AI abilities on your résumé just as people once noted basic software skills. It signals openness to tools that boost output.

LinkedIn matters more than ever. Recruiters check it to verify candidates are genuine, so keep your profile current.

Interest grows in working for yourself

Even while giving career advice I often joke that time with me may lead you to leave your job. Self-employment carries real strength, and I see running your own operation as the most reliable path. That is why I built my work this way.

Mothers in particular now seek remote roles with high flexibility. They have long shown skill at adapting and running ventures. AI could open even more options for them. Still, self-employment does not suit everyone, and that is fine.

Whether you choose to work alone or for a company, keep an upbeat view of your path. A negative cycle surrounds hiring at the moment. We are in an awkward stage with AI where the technology is not yet smooth, yet it already shapes the job scene.

Stepping away from social media and into real-world networks can still reveal solid chances.