Economy
Mark Cuban Tells Paycheck-to-Paycheck Workers to Stop Waiting for ‘Perfect Job’ and ‘Just Get a Job’
It’s tough out there for many Americans, but billionaire Mark Cuban is advising people struggling to get by and living “paycheck to paycheck” to stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and “just get a job.”
The advice came during the October 26 episode of the YouTube series The Diary of a CEO.
“There’s many people listening [who] feel trapped, host Steven Bartlett said. “They feel stuck in a 9-to-5 job. They’re living paycheck to paycheck. … What advice would you have for them?”
The Shark Tank alum, 68, replied that he’d offer the same advice he gives college graduates, “Don’t get the perfect job, because those are hard to find. Just get a job. And when you have a job, just work to be really good at it.”
“Even though your life mission isn’t to be the manager of a McDonald’s or a Dairy Queen or whatever, the fact that you can show a future employer that you moved up the line,” Cuban said, “that’s what you need.”
The entrepreneur, who worked selling trash bags, slicing deli meat, bartending and teaching dance before achieving billionaire status, according to MoneyWise, argued, “Even in the worst possible job … there’s a path.”
The conversation then carried over to X when one user commented on a post about the interview, writing, “Would love [Mark Cuban] to explain how someone at McDonalds can afford rent (and other living expenses).”
Cuban replied, “Multiple roommates. Ramen noodles. Near public transportation. Respect to the people who do whatever it takes.”
“I know I was fortunate when I finally got fired … and had to start my own business with zero cash,” he added, while conceding, “It was much easier then.”
“Respect the hustle, Mark. But the question was how a McDonald’s employee covers rent,” another commenter responded. “If the answer requires eventually founding a company, we’ve changed the assignment.”
Cuban pushed back, arguing that he’s not saying it’s an easy or quick path.
“You are going to need to have roommates or live with family. You are going to have to live like a student, cheap [expletive] food and no streaming subscriptions,” he argued. “It’s a starting point, not a destination.”
