Rude Questions on Self-Employment
How to Answer Discourteous Queries on your Self-Employed Status
A self-employed person can be easily misconstrued as "not doing anything but sitting around at home." Self-employment is a very serious situation for those who take the leap of faith to work from home or run a small business, but not many people understand the adversities that self-employed persons face and tend to ask awkward questions. These questioners are are usually family, friends and neighbours.
If you are self-employed, here are just three usual uncomfortable questions on self-employment and some tips on how to answer them.
Why Don't You Get A Job?
There are several versions of the "why don't you get a job?" question depending on your status - whether you have previously been employed by a corporation or not. One would be "why don't you go back to work?"
This question is uncomfortable as the questioner obviously does not think you are holding a job. To overcome this awkward situation, just respond confidently that you already have a job. Though it sounds like you are stating the obvious, the questioner apparently does not share the same understanding.
If he or she breaks into a giggle or a smirk, you may confidently continue by informing him or her of your profession. "I am a web-designer/tax-consultant/blogger/photographer." If you see it as appropriate, you may even want to extend your services with a fee quote. This should be done tactfully without a hint of sarcasm.
The whole point of this explanation is to drive the point home of your self-employed status. Once this message goes through, you are no longer required to answer the same question in the future. Future questions (by the same person) would probably entail your nature of business or business model, if he or she is genuinely interested in your work. Remember to remain professional and confident when responding to his or her queries when they do arise.
Why Can't We Hang Out?
There are also several versions of this question, depending on who the questionner is. One would be "why don't you come over to my house every day?."
The questioner may or may not be aware of your job status. He or she may think that you are "sitting around at home not doing anything" or may assume that self-employment means that your flexi-hours should include ample time of "doing nothing."
To answer this query, politely but assertively say "no," if you are unable to "hang out." Explain that self-employment requires plenty of discipline and sometimes a regimented schedule. This is even more true if you have multiple children with multiple needs. In order to instill discipline in your schedule, you have to set your limits of socialising. Explain to him or her that you have a job as anyone (working for an organisation) would and therefore you are not able to take time off by simple whims or fancies.
If there are allocated time-slots for free time, you may explain to your questioner the days or times that you are available to meet up. This conveys the seriousness of self-employment and requires the same amount of respect as other employment facets.
So, How Much Do You Earn?
This is probably the most impolite question for any person to ask to anyone, regardless of their job. Though it depends on the conversation and tone, you do not have to answer this query. All you can say it: "that is private and confidential." When being employed by an organisation, employee salaries are kept confidential, so there is no reason for you to disclose your personal earnings.
If the question is being asked by someone who is interested in self-employment, you may proceed to respond to the question or even take the hypothetical approach. For example, you may say, "if I complete four projects a month, I have potential earnings of USD1,000," or, "my fee quote is USD0.25 per word for copy-sales." This will enable the questioner to gauge his or her prospects of working from home.
If the questioner is a friend and family member who is genuinely interested in your well-being, you may answer in the same way. Depending on your relationship, you may decide to disclose your monthly income - but that is to your discretion. If the question has a sarcastic or condescending undertone, you would probably wish to revert to "that is private and confidential."
Answer to Yourself
Remember that being self-employed essentially means that you are answering to yourself, and probably your dependents. There is no need to indulge in awkward conversations with those who are cynical toward your self-employed status. It can be toxic to your job motivation if you dwell on condescending remarks about your home business or small office. As long as you are focused on remaining self-employed and are brutally honest with your self-employment survival, just be confident and assertive - and answer only once - to those who do not share your understanding.
