“What do YOU do?”

For a living that is. It’s the question we all dread, and it’s asked way too often. Here are some ideas to get you through that awkward moment.

1) You aren’t defined by your employer. Your talent is your talent whether you’re getting paid for it or not. If you’re trained as a designer, you’re still a designer...just unfortunately without the paycheck. If people ask what you design, list off stuff you’ve done in the past. The man doesn’t own you.

2) Free to freelance. If you’re not working for someone else, you’re working for yourself! Tell people you’re freelancing and give them your contact info in case they hear of something. Just don’t write it on a food stamp.

3) We’re in an economic crisis!!!!!! In this case, brutal honesty is admirable. With so many millions of people out of work, unemployment is no longer a reflection on you. Say it boldly: “I’m not working”…you have nothing to be ashamed of. You’re likely to get a free drink out of the situation. And if someone’s condescendingly sympathetic or just a plain jerk, you can smile and know that they’ll probably be bookmarking this blog in no time.

mm