If it's a highly sought-after high-status job, there may be oodles of takers for every getter. The sheer amount of competition may force their hand, and the "it's a job" may be simply a case of this.

Another possibility is the sunk cost fallacy. If the job requirements are strict enough and the people who eventually get the job have had to sacrifice enough getting there, that alone may be enough to get them to stick with it. Add some social pressure for spice as desired. Stir with self-deception and serve with verbal rationalizations.