Scroll through TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn long enough and you’ll probably come across them:
“My company gives us unlimited leave.”
“I’m only 25 and earning RM10K.”
“POV: Your boss says you can WFH forever.”
“HR after you take one day of MC: 👁️👄👁️”
Some are genuinely useful. Some are funny. Some come from real experiences. And some may be exaggerated for the sake of getting views.
That’s the thing about workplace content on social media: it is made to capture attention. Your career decisions, however, deserve more than a few seconds of context.
This doesn’t mean you should stop watching workplace content or assume everything online is fake. It simply means you need to look beyond the post before letting it shape how you see your career, your employer or your next job.
Social Media Is Built for Attention
Think about the difference between these two posts:
“My company has reasonable working hours, decent benefits and a supportive manager.”
And:
“POV: Your company gives you RM10K bonus, unlimited leave, free lunch and your boss says you can WFH forever.”
Which one would you stop scrolling for?
Probably the second.
Social media rewards content that is surprising, funny, dramatic or relatable. Even when someone is sharing a genuine experience, they may naturally highlight the most interesting part because that’s what makes good content.
That doesn’t automatically mean the creator is being dishonest.
It simply means you’re seeing a selected version of someone’s experience, presented in a format designed for an audience.
And that distinction matters when you’re making career decisions.
A Salary Number Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
One of the easiest things to compare online is salary.
You might see someone posting:
“I’m 25 and already earning RM10K!”
It can be exciting. It can also make you question whether you’re earning enough.
But before turning someone else’s salary into your personal benchmark, consider what the post doesn’t tell you.
Is that their basic salary or total compensation?
Does it include commission or bonuses?
How many years of experience do they have?
Is the role highly specialised?
Where is the job located?
What are their working hours and responsibilities?
Is the figure typical for the role, or an exceptional case?
A salary screenshot is one data point, not a complete career benchmark.
Instead of asking, “Why am I not earning that much?”, a more useful question might be, “What does the market look like for someone with my experience, skills and role?”
That question requires more research — but it gives you much more useful information.
Not Every Valuable Benefit Is Instagrammable
“Free lunch every day!”
“Unlimited annual leave!”
“Company trip to Japan!”
These perks sound great, and they can genuinely add value to an employee’s experience.
But perks are only one part of the employment package.
A company may not have the most photogenic office or the most viral benefits, but could offer opportunities for training, career progression, flexibility, stability, mentorship or meaningful responsibilities.
Those things might not make an entertaining 30-second video.
That doesn’t make them less valuable.
When comparing jobs, look at the whole employment package, not just the perk that looks best on your feed.
When Workplace Jokes Start Looking Like Facts
Workplace comedy is popular because it’s relatable.
“HR after you take one day MC.”
“Boss: We’re a family.”
“HR: Unfortunately, your leave is rejected.”
These jokes work because people recognise the situations being exaggerated.
But there’s an important difference between a joke about workplace experiences and an accurate representation of an employer, HR policy or employment practice.
A viral skit doesn’t automatically tell you how every HR team operates.
Likewise, one person’s frustrating experience doesn’t necessarily describe every employee’s experience at that company.
Enjoy the joke. Relate to it. Share it with your colleagues.
Just don’t treat every punchline as evidence.
“Toxic Workplace” Content Needs Context Too
Another common type of workplace content comes with strong advice:
“If your boss does this, QUIT IMMEDIATELY.”
Sometimes, these posts can highlight genuinely concerning workplace behaviours and encourage people to recognise situations they shouldn’t ignore.
But context still matters.
Before making a major career decision, ask yourself:
- What actually happened?
- Was it a one-off situation or an ongoing pattern?
- What does your employment contract say?
- What are the company’s policies?
- Have you spoken to your manager or HR?
- Is there additional context that isn’t shown in the post?
- What are your options if you decide to leave?
Social media can help you identify questions worth asking.
It shouldn’t necessarily answer those questions for you.
Do Your Own Research Before Saying Yes — or No
Whether you’re considering a new job or questioning your current one, take the time to look beyond social media.
Read the job description.
Understand what you will actually be responsible for, rather than relying on how the role looks online.
Ask questions during the interview.
Clarify responsibilities, working arrangements, expectations, team structure and opportunities for development.
Read the actual offer.
Look at the salary, allowances, benefits, working hours and other terms instead of comparing yourself with someone else’s post.
Research the company from multiple sources.
Look beyond one viral post or one review. Different employees can have very different experiences depending on their role, team, manager and circumstances.
Know your own priorities.
A company trip might be exciting to one person. Flexible working hours, learning opportunities or career progression might matter more to someone else.
There isn’t one perfect workplace package for everyone.
Social Media Can Be Useful — If You Use It as a Starting Point
None of this means workplace content on social media has no value.
It can introduce you to career paths you hadn’t considered. It can help you discover questions to ask during interviews. It can expose you to different workplace experiences and perspectives.
The key is knowing the difference between inspiration and information.
A creator’s experience can give you something to think about.
It shouldn’t automatically become your expectation.
A salary post can make you curious about market rates.
It shouldn’t automatically determine what you think you’re worth.
A workplace story can make you reconsider your situation.
It shouldn’t automatically determine what you think about your employer.
Your Career Is Real Life, Not a Highlight Reel
Social media isn’t necessarily fake.
It’s simply edited, packaged and presented for an audience.
A 30-second video can show you someone’s salary. It can’t show you their entire career journey.
A funny HR meme can make you laugh. It can’t explain every company’s policies.
A post about someone’s amazing benefits can inspire you. It doesn’t mean the same package exists everywhere.
So scroll. Laugh. Learn. Take inspiration.
But when it comes to your career, look beyond the post.
Ask questions. Do your research. Check the details. Consider your own priorities.
Because your career isn’t a 30-second video.
It’s real life — and it deserves the full picture.