Is it haram to pay a bribe to get a job?

Yes, paying a bribe to get a job is haram. The Prophet ﷺ cursed both the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it. A bribe takes the place of a more deserving candidate and corrupts the whole system. Paying a legitimate fee to a recruitment agency is not a bribe.

What Islam says about bribery

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed the one who gives a bribe and the one who receives it (Sunan Abi Dawud 3580). A curse means being distanced from Allah's mercy, so this is a major sin, not a minor slip. The Quran also forbids using money to win what isn't rightfully yours:

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ "And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]." Quran 2:188

Why a job bribe hurts others

When you pay a manager or official to give you a position, someone more qualified loses a job they earned. The employer gets the wrong person, and the person who took the money is pushed further into corruption. It also casts doubt over the salary you earn from that job, which is why scholars warn so strongly against it. The same honesty applies to how you present yourself. See Is it haram to lie on government forms?

What is not a bribe

An official fee for an application, exam, background check or work permit.
A transparent fee to a recruitment agency or careers coach for a real service.
Paying for a course or certificate that genuinely qualifies you.
Using a reference or recommendation from someone who honestly knows your work.

When people feel forced to pay

In some countries, nothing gets done without a "gift" to an official. Many scholars say that if you are being denied a right that is already yours (like a document you're entitled to) and there is truly no other way, the sin falls on the one who demands the money, not on you. But this exception is narrow. It doesn't cover buying a job you have no right to over other candidates. In the UK, Europe and the USA, job bribes are also crimes, so report demands to HR or the authorities where you can.

Trust your provision

It can feel desperate when you're unemployed. Keep applying, improve your skills, ask people to recommend you honestly, and turn to Allah. See Can I make dua for worldly things like a job or a car? A job that comes through halal means is a far better start than one you'll always feel uneasy about.

Key points

Giving and taking bribes are both major sins.
A job bribe takes the place of a more deserving person.
Official fees and honest agency fees are fine.
Being extorted for a right you already have is treated differently by many scholars.

Tip: If someone hints that "a little something" would help your application, reply politely that you'd prefer to be judged on your merits. It protects you, and it may quietly shame the system into fairness.