- LinkedIn’s Chinese job-seeking service was shut down in May.
- This decision coincides with high rates of youth unemployment in China.
- Chinese professionals have resorted to using a dating app to search for work, as reported by Sixth Tone.
Young professionals in China have found a creative way to showcase their willingness to work and network by utilizing their Tinder profiles. This unconventional approach rose in popularity after LinkedIn’s exit from the Chinese market, as reported by the Chinese news publication Sixth Tone.
On May 8, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky announced in a blog post that the company would be shutting down its local professional networking service, InCareer, in China by August 9. This decision was driven by shifts in customer behavior and slower revenue growth.
The timing of this move could not have been more challenging for recent graduates and young professionals in China. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s youth unemployment rate reached an all-time high of 21.3% in June.
Various individuals shared their experiences with Sixth Tone, highlighting how Tinder has been surprisingly helpful for their career pursuits. For instance, one Peking University graduate received valuable internship tips from her Tinder date, who happened to work at a firm she was interested in. Others revealed that they actively use the app to discover job opportunities.
A 22-year-old fashion graduate from Beijing shared her story of applying to over 30 positions through traditional methods without success. However, after modifying her Tinder profile and replacing her usual selfies with a bold message stating, “Is anyone short of workers? I’m currently looking for a job. Hire me,” she started receiving more attention. The outcome of her unconventional approach remains uncertain, but the potential of using Tinder for job hunting has gained traction. In fact, a user on the Chinese social platform Xiaohongshu even posted a set of tips in June on how to find a job using Tinder.
The post included advice such as only matching with individuals from the desired industry, initiating conversations about their match’s job, and gradually sharing personal struggles before asking for advice. Sixth Tone reported that the user successfully utilized these tips to receive assistance with editing their resume and acquiring recommendations from potential employers.
However, Tinder has raised concerns about these activities violating their community guidelines, stating that the app is primarily meant for personal connections rather than conducting business. The app prohibits users from promoting businesses, advertising, sharing social handles, or links with the purpose of gaining followers, selling items, fundraising, or campaigning.
This is not the first instance of individuals leveraging social media platforms for job-seeking purposes. The hashtag #careertok on TikTok has garnered over 1.7 billion views and features creators sharing interview techniques and networking tips. In response to its popularity, TikTok launched the pilot program TikTok Resumes in 2021, partnering with various companies and encouraging users to showcase their skills and experiences through TikTok videos.
For more stories like this, explore Insider’s Digital Culture coverage.
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