7 Things Nobody Wants to Hear When They’re Unemployed

Whether looking for a job straight out of school or recently let go from your long-term position, being unemployed can be a stressful, annoying and downright depressing time in your life. The last thing you need while suffering through the situation is to be subjected to your family and friends’ oblivious, or downright rude comments. Turns out though, people have a tendency to open mouth and insert foot far more often than they should. Below we’ve listed, in no particular, rant-filled order, seven worst lines, phrases and condolences nobody wants to hear when they’re unemployed.

Have a Good Weekend

We picked a doozy of an inconsiderate phrase to start off our list of peeves. Not only is the phrase annoying when you’re unemployed, it also reeks of the privilege of the white collar class. By telling someone who is unemployed to have a good weekend, not only do you fail to recognize that their weeks and weekends look about the same, you also are oblivious to the fact that many working-class folks have to pull weekend shifts in order to supply that weekend “fun”.

I’m Sure Something Will Come Along

While we appreciate the gesture, the fact that a person would assume that a job would just fall into your lap shows a laughable disregard for reality. It also assumes that you aren’t working your butt off, day in and out, trying to find a long-term job. Until careers fall off trees like ripe apples, this phrase will always be annoying to someone who is unemployed. 

We’re Going Out to That Hot New (Read: Expensive) Restaurant, Would You Like to Come Along?

It’s bad enough that you are unemployed, but things get worse in a hurry when oblivious friends invite you out to meals they know, or should know you can’t afford. If that buddy really did want to spend time catching up, they’d be respectful of your situation and pick a more affordable place to dine. Or, better yet, suggest a movie and dinner night in with the group. Some people can be so oblivious.

You Never Seemed Happy in That Job to Begin With

Thanks, friend, for that piece of brilliant observation after the fact when it’s now too late to do anything about it. While the comment is useless given your current unemployed state, if they had provided that wisdom while you were still employed, maybe you wouldn’t have lost your job in the first place.

Don’t Settle for The First Job That Comes Along

Another elitist comment from the perspective of someone who doesn’t have to worry about how they are going to pay the bills next month. While your friend or family member may have the ability to shoot for their dream job, if you’ve been employed for any length of time you may have a very real world need to take the first job that comes around, regardless of the fit. As a hard-working person looking for work, you also know that just because you choose a job that isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse doesn’t mean that you can’t keep looking for that career defining position in the meantime.

It’s Okay, We’ve All Been Unemployed

It’s nice that your friend, who happens to be coming up on their ten-year work anniversary, remembers what it was like to lose their first job working at the local burger joint. If you’ve been without a job as an adult, you realize that your responsibilities, obligations and bills all create a much larger monthly nut to crack, with corresponding stress. While many people have been without a job, far fewer have been left out in the cold hunting for a career-making position.

It’s a Good Thing Your Spouse/Partner/Significant Other is Employed

Is there any comment quite as unintentionally offensive as reminding a person that your significant other still has a job while you remain on the lookout? The statement assumes numerous things about your relationship, including the fact that your other half can earn enough to keep the unit afloat. It also dismisses the importance of creating a balanced team at home.

So, there we have it, some of the worst things you can say to someone who is unemployed. If you’ve been guilty of one of the above, knock it off. Mind your words and remember your currently unemployed friend will eventually find a new position, and you may one day find yourself in the same boat. Currently, or previously, unemployed? Send us one, two or more of your “favorite” things the oblivious folks in your life have said and we’ll update our list for a future revisit!