Gen Zers are posting their unemployment era on TikTok—and it’s way too real

Finding a job is hard right now. To cope, Gen Zers are documenting the reality of unemployment in 2025.

“You look sadder,” one TikTok post reads, flipping the recent “You look happier” trend on its head (in which people respond with the real reason they’re smiling a little more than usual). 

@yasamelon

“Thanks, yeah, I’ve been laid off since September, applied to 700+ jobs, 30+ interviews, no offers, and rent is due again,” the post continues. The video has over 783,000 views...