Responding to questions about your employment status, especially if someone asks in a potentially judgmental or negative tone like, "Do you even have a job?" can be uncomfortable. Here are some ways you can handle this situation:
Stay calm and composed: Take a deep breath and maintain your composure. Responding calmly can help diffuse any tension in the conversation.
Be honest: If you have a job, you can simply answer with a straightforward "Yes, I do have a job." There's no need to provide more information than necessary.
Assert your boundaries: If you feel uncomfortable with the question or consider it inappropriate, you can politely respond with, "I don't think my job status is relevant to our conversation" or "That's a personal matter I'd rather not discuss."
Deflect with humor: You can use humor to redirect the conversation away from the question. For example, "Well, my job is being a professional cookie taster. Tough gig, but someone's got to do it."
Ask for their intention: You can inquire about their reason for asking, such as "Why do you want to know?" This might help them realize the question is intrusive or inappropriate.
Redirect the conversation: Politely steer the conversation toward a different topic. For example, "Let's talk about something else, like that new movie everyone is raving about."
Share positive aspects: If you feel comfortable, you can discuss any hobbies, projects, or activities you're involved in, even if you don't have a traditional job at the moment.
Remember, you have the right to decide how much personal information you want to share with others. It's okay to set boundaries and decline to answer questions that make you uncomfortable. Stay true to yourself and respond in a way that feels appropriate for the situation and your relationship with the person asking.