The Hidden Cost of Job Hunting: Why Finding Work Is Now a Pricey Investment

Landing a job has never been easy — but for many across the US, UK, and Canada, it’s becoming a financial burden. As competition intensifies and opportunities shrink, jobseekers are increasingly paying out of pocket for tools, training, and subscriptions that promise to give them an edge.

For 35-year-old Giovanna Ventola from North Carolina, the cost of job hunting has skyrocketed.

“I’d guess I’ve spent around $6,000 (£4,500) on job hunting,” she told the BBC.

From résumé-writing software and interview training to premium access on job platforms, Ventola says she’s tried everything to boost her chances in commercial real estate — but it’s come at a hefty price.

Official figures show that in the US, it now takes an unemployed person about six months to find a new job — up from five months last year. In Canada, 66,000 jobs were lost in August, raising unemployment to 7.1%, while the UK has recorded its 39th consecutive fall in job vacancies.

With hiring slowing, jobseekers are turning to paid resources to stand out.
“I signed up to a premium jobs service because it lets you contact HR managers directly,” says Kaycia Duncan, 30, from Buckinghamshire, UK. “I also pay for a design tool to create high-quality CVs and portfolios.”

Duncan has applied for more than 200 roles in the past year while balancing temp jobs and running a YouTube channel documenting her job search. “It feels disheartening,” she admits. “But I see the costs as an investment — like a gym membership. Any small thing could make a difference.”

LinkedIn confirmed that premium subscriber growth has surged nearly 50% in two years, with almost 40% of users employing AI tools to refine their profiles and applications.

For Ventola, documenting her job hunt on TikTok led to something bigger — a global support network. Her nonprofit platform Rhize, launched last year, connects more than 4,000 jobseekers across the US, UK, and Canada, sharing free resources and tips.

“A lot of people have paid for AI tools, résumé optimisers, or career coaches,” Ventola explains. “I wanted to build a space where people could learn from each other — and not feel alone.”

Recruiters say the balance of power has shifted.

“We’ve gone from a candidate-driven market to one dominated by employers,” says Nancy D’Onofrio, director at HR giant Randstad. “There are fewer roles and more talent available, making it fiercely competitive.”

Technological change is another factor. “Companies’ needs are evolving rapidly,” adds Nicole Leeder of Adecco. “Many employers don’t even know what skills they’ll need in five years.”

As layoffs increase, demand for professional career coaches has soared.
Canadian coach Miriam Groom says her client base has “grown exponentially” in three years.

“It used to be 70% burnout cases and 30% job seekers — now it’s about 50/50,” she explains. “We’re also helping people retrain for jobs that won’t be replaced by technology.”

Ventola admits her investments haven’t yet paid off financially — but they’ve reshaped her outlook.

“Honestly, I don’t think any of my spending was worth it in dollars,” she says. “But it opened my eyes to new opportunities and helped me connect with others going through the same thing.”

D’Onofrio believes success doesn’t have to come with a price tag. “You don’t need to spend thousands,” she insists. “Reach out to hiring managers, attend networking events, and use free online tools — just applying and waiting isn’t enough anymore.”