Two-thirds of Gen Z say they rely on self-taught skills to find a job

“Do you want to know the biggest career hack I’ve learned in 25 years of recruiting?”

That’s the opening of one TikTok video. The answer, the creator Elite Recruiter says, is “skill stacking”: combining complementary skills to give you an advantage in job applications. “You’re not just a teacher—you’re a teacher who understands UX,” she gives as an example.

That emphasis on skills over experience matches a growing chorus online that’s singing the praises of self-taught skills in the job market.