Low income and moody bosses getting you down? TikTok’s ‘rage applying’ trend might be for you

Are you sick and tired of feeling underappreciated and underpaid at your current workplace? Perhaps you’re fantasising about quitting just to spite your line manager as you read this? Well, TikTok’s latest and greatest trend, ‘rage applying,’ might be worth your time.

We all love to get one over on our mean bosses, and with this trend, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. In essence, rage applying is the act of firing out as many CVs as you can in hopes of escaping your current workplace – and receiving a hefty pay rise. What’s not to love?

The first known use of the term on the platform was in December 2022 by a user named Redweez – who claimed to receive a $25,000 raise through rage applying. “I got mad at work, and I rage-applied to, like, 15 jobs. And then I got a job that gave me a $25,000 raise, and it’s a great place to work. So keep rage-applying. It’ll happen,” she said. And, of course, everyone wanted in. 

Since then, users across the world have shared stories on how thanks to various reasons, they hit their breaking point at their workplace and decided enough is enough. TikTokers claimed that all it took was a few days or weeks of submitting CV’s to receive multiple job offers that defied their salary expectations – and actually put a smile on their face for once.

With the cost of living crisis running rampant in the UK and inflation rates in America reaching nearly 8%, it’s no surprise to see younger people take matters into their own hands. While many of their bosses can put their feet up and continue to splash out, young adults are often becoming trapped in low-income jobs simply because they have no other option. 

Obviously, rage applying isn’t always going to work. You might find remaining patient is the safer, risk-averse method – but what’s the fun in that? And, let’s be honest, the idea of getting one over on your boss is probably going to outweigh any rational thoughts that come to mind.