It’s the latest TikTok trend but what exactly is rage applying and is now the right time to try it?
Rage applying seems to be paying off for a lot of American workers right now, particularly Gen Z, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. We detail the pros and cons of this approach and how to do it effectively.
What is rage applying?
Rage applying is the latest trend on CareersTok and it could be a trend just as big as #QuietQuitting.
Rage applying is when employees feeling undervalued and overworked use their frustrated energy, or “rage”, to apply for another job. Often, disgruntled employees will apply to a lot of jobs in one go, sometimes in new roles and industries. Rage applying could be just the kick you need to apply for your dream job!
It’s a practice as old as the corporate grind. Still, it’s gaining traction given that a number of TikTokers are sharing their experience of rage applying and successfully finding better pay and working conditions elsewhere.
For Canadian, Red, rage applying was a huge success gaining her a C$25,000 ($18,500) pay rise and a new, great place to work.
@redweez Keep rage applying when youre mad ???????? that energy will push you to greater horizons than the job youre stuck in! #work #milennial #worklife ♬ The Sign – Ace of Base
What prompts rage applying?
It could be a bad day at work, a new manager who doesn’t align with your values, being overlooked for a promotion or raise, or bad working conditions.
Rage applying is a reaction to a bad working environment coupled with the knowledge that your skills and experience could be valued elsewhere.
Remember, it’s a jobseekers’ market right now. People are leaving the workforce at a much higher rate than they’re joining it which means that employers are facing huge talent shortages.
Can rage applying pay off?
Rage applying can absolutely work in your favor if you try it and land the job you want. TikTok is flooded with success stories from people who landed hefty raises by moving jobs.
Others are reflecting that you can actually improve your pay and working conditions at your current job if you quit.
In a video that has been viewed nearly 4 million times, Sarai Marie spoofs being offered a raise, time working from home, and a change in her job title when she’s rage applied and found another job.
@saraisthreads #greenscreen Oh NOW you want to give me what I deserve. #knowyourworth #fyp #work #working #corporate #corporatelife #corporatetiktok #corporateamerica #corporatehumor #office #officelife #manager #managersbelike #career #quietquit #actyourwage #skit #funny #sketch #quietquitting #veronica #rageapply #rageapplying ♬ original sound – Sarai Marie
Now, of course, this poses a big risk. If you’re rage applying just so your current employer recognizes that you’re someone they want to have around then this could come back to bite you. Riskier still is faking it completely. Do not pretend that you’ve rage applied to scare your employer into action. You can’t predict the way that your employer will react and certainly cannot guarantee a counteroffer.
Rage applying should only be your reaction when you actually want to move jobs, and if you genuinely feel that you would be happier elsewhere.
When rage applying should be off the table
You need to be in a secure financial position before you consider rage applying. If you’ve got debts to pay off, a big financial commitment on the horizon, or you simply can’t afford to lose your job then you shouldn’t rage apply. When you move jobs, things like your notice period can reduce dramatically and with some industries, such as tech, making huge layoffs, now is not the time to take risks you can’t afford.
Remember too, that a bad day isn’t always indicative of a bad workplace. Rage applying suggests an impulsive decision, rather than one that has been thought out. With this in mind, it’s worth taking a step back and assessing “do I actually like my job?”. Think about your work in terms of months rather than days, and keep a record of bad days vs good ones. If it’s a resounding yes to liking your job, then avoid rage applying on those bad days and use your energy on doing something you love outside of work instead.
Most Americans are hired as “at-will employees” which means that an employer has the right to end employment for any reason (or no reason) with or without notice (and employees are entitled to do the same). In 49 states and the District of Columbia, your employer can fire you for looking for another job. If you’re lucky enough to live in the state of Montana, after a 12 to 18-month period of employment your employer would not be able to do this. If your employer has a track record of ending contracts when workers start looking to move on, be very cautious. Firing up Adzuna on your lunch break is a big no-no, wait until you get home!
And finally, if your resume is a list of short tenures and rage applying is nothing new, it’s time to look within. If you job-hop without re-evaluating your goals and yourself, you might end up in the same scenario again and again. This leads to a cycle of dissatisfaction. Rather than falling into old patterns, it’s time to take a step back. Spend the time working out exactly what you need from an employer and how you work best.
Want to rage apply? Here’s what you should be thinking about
So, you really don’t find your current role fulfilling, you can afford to move on, and you’re fired up with adrenalin? It’s time to rage apply.
Step 1: What’s your why?
Ask yourself, “why am I in the position where I need to move on?”
By knowing why you’re rage applying you’ll learn a lot about what your red flags are when it comes to applying. You’ll also be able to reflect on what you need at work and in life in order to be happy, healthy, and productive.
It’s important to know what the right fit looks like for you before you spend time on applications.
Step 2: Look within
This is about your strengths and weaknesses. What are you really good at, and where are the gaps in your skill set? Do you actually need to spend some time upskilling in a certain area before you start applications?
List your strengths and integrate them into your resume and applications. Look at your strengths and skills side-by-side with job descriptions. In an ideal situation, you should be looking for a match of over 80%, but when you’re moving jobs and industries don’t be put off if you only hit 40%.
Do the same but this time list what you enjoy and what you don’t, again comparing these with job descriptions.No job is perfect, but you should look for a role where at least 50% of day-to-day tasks are things you enjoy, and less than 10% are tasks you dislike.
Step 3: Work on your resume
Applying for a job with an old resume is a waste of a good application. Spend time updating your resume before you click submit. Integrate the work you’ve done by looking within and always tailor your resume for each and every application.
We’ve got some resume and cover letter tips here.
Step 4: Research companies
You should know by now exactly why your current employer is a bad match so should be looking out for any red flags.
Invest your energy in looking at a company’s web pages and social media accounts. If you don’t enjoy working in an office full-time, then make sure you’re investigating working patterns. If you don’t like being micromanaged then look for employers who advertise that they give their employees freedom and evidence that they actually do.
Look for reviews from current employees online and if you can, set up some conversations with employees by asking your network for introductions.
Spending time getting to know a company can be time well spent, and if you include this in your application or at an interview then you’ll leave a great impression.
Step 5: Prepare your answer to the question “why are you leaving?”
Telling a potential employer that you want to work for them because you hate your old job is a big no-no. We all get asked the “why are you leaving” question, but how you frame it could be the difference between getting a new job and not.
Always focus on why you want this new job (job security, the role, the company) rather than why you’re leaving your previous job behind.
Step 6: Ask the right questions yourself
If you’ve got to the interview stage, you should be given the opportunity to ask questions. Make sure you come prepared with the right questions so that you don’t find yourself in the same situation six months down the line.
Ask about the company culture, management styles, career paths, and learning opportunities. If it’s important to you, you should be asking about it.
Is there a better alternative to rage applying?
If rage applying isn’t the answer for you right now, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck in your current position forever.
You could try career cushioning, where you do the key work behind the scenes like working on your resume, networking, and spending time upskilling. It’s a method that’s being adopted by people who are worried their job won’t survive current financial uncertainty or simply want to see if the grass is greener on the other side.
There’s also quiet quitting where employees stop going over and above at work. They won’t work late, respond to emails on personal time off, or do work that falls outside of their job description. When you quiet quit, you should remember that this will mean that your current role won’t progress, so you should certainly have an exit strategy.
And finally, you could just focus your energy on things you enjoy outside of work. It’s been suggested that the best antidote to burnout is scheduling time for activities such as sports, hobbies, and quality time. A study of 140 busy people found that when they scheduled space for out of work activities they actually had increased energy and engagement both inside and outside of work.
If you’re wanting to start rage applying, use Adzuna to find your dream role. Want to apply with insights into how much you should be earning? Our ValueMyResume tool can help you find out your worth in today’s jobs market.
Read more: ChatGPT answers the toughest interview questions (and we rate them)