A 52-year-old man shared his frustration on Reddit after being unemployed for one year and constantly hearing people say “just get any job”. He said he has been actively applying, sending resumes, and giving interviews the whole year, but still facing continuous rejections. He made it clear he is not aiming for big companies or elite jobs, just something close to what he earned earlier in the tech field
After working for 28 years in one field, he said it is not easy to suddenly “pivot” or switch careers like people suggest.He admitted that at age 52, he knows he may need to accept a pay cut to stay competitive. However, he gets angry when people suggest jobs like retail or cafes, because he has already tried those options. He revealed that he was rejected from a seasonal role at Target, called “overqualified” by Home Depot, and even turned away by a dispensary.
No easy jobs reality
He questioned how someone can survive on 20–30% of their previous salary while still paying for mortgage, fuel, and food. He pointed out that most advice comes from people who have stable careers or financial support from family, unlike him. He said he has no external help and is currently driving Uber just to earn some money.
While Uber gives short-term income, he said it is damaging his car and mental health and is not a long-term solution. He stressed that gig work is often ignored by people who still say “just do anything”. He explained that there is a false belief that low-paying jobs are easy to get, which is not true in reality.
He added that older workers are now competing with fresh college graduates for entry-level roles. He said lower-paying jobs also do not solve financial problems built after a long period without income. His main message: if getting “any job” was easy, he would have already done it.
People share same job struggle and frustration online
In the comments, another user said even under 40, they are being rejected for being “overqualified” and seen as a short-term hire. That user added they just want a stable paycheck and health insurance, not a corporate career anymore.
Layoffs and pay cuts
A 53-year-old woman shared she was laid off in May 2025 due to her position being removed. She said she finally got one job offer after months, but accepted it only because she had no other option. She revealed the new job pays over $10,000 less than her previous salary. Even after accepting the job, she continues applying elsewhere because she cannot sustain long-term at that pay. She called it the longest unemployment period of her adult life.
Another user said people who haven’t searched for jobs recently don’t understand how difficult the market has become. That user shared they have also been unemployed for over a year and faced multiple layoffs since 2010. They described the current job market as a “nightmare” and said daily struggles are hard to explain. The user advised ignoring people who give unrealistic advice about job hunting. Their response to such advice: hope others never have to experience job searching in today’s conditions.
Overall, the story highlights a harsh reality—age, experience, and market conditions are making even basic jobs hard to get. It also shows that the simple advice “just get any job” does not match real-life struggles faced by many job seekers today.