Fired worker applies for 500 jobs in 60 days

A Los Angeles-based TikToker claims to have applied for 500 jobs after promising he would get a job within 60 days of being laid off in November. He’s still looking – and threatens to have to move out of his apartment.

Creator @HKSmash generated more than 231,000 views with the video in just one day on the platform.

In the clip, he begins putting together an earlier video of himself declaring, “I’m giving myself 60 days” to find a new job after being laid off in November. He now reveals that it’s been 60 days and the job search hasn’t gone as he hoped.

@hksmash #stitch with @hksmash ♬ Original sound – HKsmash

@HKsmash then describes what happened.

“I applied for over 500 positions,” he says. “499 of those jobs either automatically rejected me or ghosted me. However, I had an interview and last week I was denied that role.”

He then described the lengths he planned to do, noting that his schedule included “40 hours a week on LinkedIn, networking, building my resume, rewriting my resume, working with trainers and recruiters.”

But sadly, he concludes, “This job market is really tough and it just hasn’t worked for me,” before asking himself, “What’s going to happen next?” He then confides to the audience that he’s probably in his current apartment must vacate.

The video received a variety of reactions from commenters, some of which prompted the creator to comment, “The assumptions in these comments are hilarious.”

Curiously, one person posted, “I heard you worked for Twitter,” prompting the creator to reply, “By who?” In other comments, he noted that he previously worked for Meta and WhatsApp.

Some claimed that the job-hunting landscape wasn’t that bad, and one opined, “The market isn’t that tough, you just have to take a lower-level job to get back on your feet.”

“So you mean to settle down,” replied the Creator.

Another commenter sided with the creator, noting, “Bro I feel you. Was fired at the same time as you. 670 applications, lost count after 30 interviews, still no job.”

One assumed it was an issue with the way the creator was presenting himself out there, saying, “Your resume isn’t optimized if you only get 1 interview out of 500 applications.”

The creator replied, “Not according to my recruiter and career coach….”

But the shelves with sneakers behind the creator caught people’s attention; There’s a lot of sneaker content on the creator’s TikTok, and some thought this might be a good short-term way to raise funds.

“As a sneaker fan, I would advise you to sell shoes bro,” one offered.

Another suggested: “Maybe sell the shoes you’re not wearing.”

This prompted the Creator to reply, “Who says I don’t wear them? Mind your own business.”

Another noted, “Bro wears expensive fitness brand and bitches about not having a job. Cry a river bub.”

The creator came back with, “Bro, you’re commenting without knowing how to use TikTok. Relax, little one.”

One offered a change of scene and said, “Come to Texas.”

“Thanks, but I’m not welcome in Texas,” the creator replied cryptically.

Where he will end up is the possible subject of a future video. But as he hinted, it could be some distance from LA — or, as he posted, “I’m going to miss California.”

The Daily Dot reached out to the creator via a TikTok comment.

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