Let me ask you something: when you say, “There are lots of jobs out there,” do you truly believe it? Or is it just an easy phrase to throw around when someone shares their struggles? Because for many of us, those words hit like a slap in the face.
You remind me of that line in Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is”—
“Get a job!” That’s just the way it is.
It's condescending, dismissive, and painfully disconnected from reality. So let’s talk about that reality.
1. Sure, There Are Jobs—But Are They Livable?
Yes, the job market might have openings, but let’s not confuse quantity with quality.
Many of these so-called opportunities pay minimum wage, which doesn’t come close to covering rent, groceries, or transportation in cities like Vancouver.
Others require years of specialized experience for entry-level wages.
What about jobs that match my skills? Those seem to be unicorns: everyone talks about them, but no one’s actually seen one.
2. Rising Unemployment Means Something
Statistics Canada just reported that the unemployment rate jumped to 6.8% in November. That’s the highest since January 2017, excluding the pandemic years. Even with 51,000 jobs added, the rate rose because more people entered the workforce, only to find the doors slammed shut.
It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of trying. It’s a system where demand for jobs outpaces supply, where resumes go unanswered, and interviews end with, “We’ve decided to go in another direction.”
3. Applying for Jobs Is a Full-Time Job
Here’s a reality check for anyone who hasn’t job-hunted in a while:
You’re expected to tailor every resume and cover letter to specific roles.
Online portals take hours to navigate.
Responses? Rare. Feedback? Almost nonexistent.
Imagine doing this day after day, pouring time and energy into a system that feels rigged against you.
4. Privilege Makes All the Difference
If you’ve never struggled to find a job, congratulations—you’re privileged. Maybe you had connections. Maybe you entered the workforce when housing wasn’t a luxury and job competition wasn’t this fierce.
But don’t mistake your smooth journey for proof that anyone can succeed if they just try harder. The playing field isn’t level, and those starting with fewer resources often face barriers you can’t even imagine.
5. Stop Saying, “Get a Job”
When you tell someone struggling that “There are lots of jobs,” what you’re really saying is, “Your struggle doesn’t matter to me.” You’re dismissing their reality and shifting the blame onto them, as if they’re the problem—not the broken system we all live in.
Instead of throwing out tired platitudes, why not ask:
“What challenges are you facing?”
“How can I support you?”
“What changes need to happen to make jobs accessible and sustainable for everyone?”
Let’s Be Better
It’s time to retire the myth that there are “lots of jobs” for anyone willing to work. Let’s acknowledge the systemic issues, the barriers, and the sheer exhaustion that so many of us face. And if you can’t do that, then at least spare us the patronizing advice.
Sincerely,
Someone Who’s Tired of Being Told to “Get a Job"
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