I actually know the feeling very well. I wouldn't advocate completely blatant lying, but there are ways to word what you do in a better way. You also don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.
Say something like: Oh I don't wanna say. Are you trying to stalk me? (in a playful way of course) or
Let's talk about something else. I just honestly am tired of work convos (it doesn't have to sound super negative. Smile) or
It's top secret. I might tell you in time but not now
It can really suck not being proud of what you do, but it is good to have someone to confide in. You don't have to tell people right away though especially if you're not close with them. In fact, I'd advise against being completely open about it unless you can sense he/she is truly a kind person. Plenty of people will use your weaknesses against you, but there are good people out there who will listen and have compassion.
12 Reply
Most Helpful Opinions
I would be honest. If someone reveals himself as disapproving of me because of what I do for work, I’m better off knowing that up front instead of wasting time interacting with that person further.
03 Reply
- +1 y
I used to be in that situation actually: I had a job I hated (financial counselor) and people... well the customers, didn't much care for me either!
Before anyone asks why take a job I don't like? I needed money to pay my bills and it was my first job out of college. You take what you can get until something better comes along.
Anyway, I just told them my job and hoped they didn't ask details of what my job was- if they did, I tried to make it sound as... pleasant as possible (tell them the good attributes instead of the negative). Just remember, at least you HAVE a job! Some people aren't able to find work.
10 Reply
"Walmart. :) Just started ye-.. three days ago."
Better than telling them I work for some god awful delivery company that wouldn't care if you were having heavy cramps due to your period, you deliver those gawddayum packages and hurry tf up.
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What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
29Opinion
- +1 y
I would share only the BEST of the details.
"I handle financial transactions for a multi-billion dollar company!" (aka a cashier at McDonalds).
11 Reply - +1 y
I would face reality and say the truth and try to work towards a better place where I can be proud of talking about.
11 Reply - +1 y
I’d just be honest. Everyone starts somewhere, and lots of people have to start over due to no fault of their own. And most of all I have an honest job, and not something like porn. I currently stock grocery shelves. It’s boring and doesn’t make me much, but I’m working my way up.
11 Reply I tell them I am employed by the State of California, can't disclose what I do.
DMV LOLO
13 Reply- +1 y
I try to push back on that. Back in May, I got a speeding ticket, going to my annual physical (if you are late, you have to reschedule, and it is a pain in the butt) I was really humiliated by being stopped as I have NEVER received a speeding ticket here in California. I was 70 in a 50, and I told the officer where I was going and I was respectful to him and e to me likewise. He wrote the citation for 70 in a SIXTY-FIVE zone rather than 70 in a 50 zone!!! Can you imagine what the court would have fined me for that?
The court fined me $231.00 when it COULD have been 1200.00 or more!
I wrote a letter to the Huntington Beach Police Department - Office of the Captain of the Uniform Division, thanking the officer for letting me off the hook from a really HUGE fine.
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I would just tell them you have to keep your job personal cause that's the way the boss wants it and you have to do things by their rules.
12 Reply- +1 y
If you don't want to be honest, make up something dull nobody will ask further questions about. Stacking shelves in the local supermarket or something like that.
10 Reply- +1 y
Before I got my career on track I used to answer that question honestly but then followed it up with what my career goals were and what I wanted to do.
10 Reply I don't tell people I don't know what I do for a living or where I work especially women since they tend to be more vindictive and also I have experiences where they will drive to my place of employment and start bothering me at work.
10 ReplyBe honest
You should be proud to have a job and work hard.21 ReplyI’ll just say stripper 😂 and walk away. Nobody needs to know about my business let alone a stranger.
10 Reply2.9K opinions shared on Education & Career topic. I was unemployed for a couple of years while I was in graduate school. When people used to ask me what I did for a living I used to say I was on sabbatical while attaining an advanced degree.
10 Reply- +1 y
Tell them and voice my complains, can be good to get it off your chest
11 Reply 1.9K opinions shared on Education & Career topic. You have to be proud of your job. It's a big part of who you are.
12 ReplyJust be honest because it's better than not having a job
10 ReplyI'd say I was "in-between jobs at the moment" or "I'm looking for something new"
10 Reply- +1 y
I'll be honest about my work. It helps me pay my bills i put my time in it so why would i be ashamed of my job.
10 Reply If a stranger asked me I will say none of your business man
10 Replyyou don't need to tell anyone about your personal life. but if you feel comfortable, use a general term for the job
10 ReplyI not aloud to say. Let’s just say I work for a family.
11 ReplyI'm a cleaner, but I say I'm a "facilities management services general operative" lol
10 ReplyThat's is something a lot of people have to deal with even my self.
I used to be a janitor before I became a massage therapist.
God Bless10 ReplyI have been asked more than once (I love my job) and always give a very general answer, "I work in Facilities". I dont give out useful information to people I dont know.
10 Reply- +1 y
They are strangers. Why feel bad?
“Don’t let others opinions consume you”
00 Reply tell them the truth, you are still looking for the "right fit" and currently just paying the bills
10 Reply- +1 y
I would answer that I am transitioning to new career. Pick something you like.
10 Reply - +1 y
I'm a cock teaser for Rooster Rama.
12 Reply- +1 y
Always keep `em guessing! Keeps them on their toes!
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You’re an adult, be proud of what you’ve accomplished. If others don’t like what you do , that’s on them!
00 Reply Tell him it’s none of his business
12 Reply- +1 y
I'm unemployed so I couldn't tell
10 Reply - +1 y
Waste management consultant.
10 Reply Say exactly what it is.
10 Reply- +1 y
I like my job tho I feel iffy about sharing
12 Reply- +1 y
Thanks for like!
No job on this planet is demeaning.
12 Reply- +1 y
Just say you're a consultant
10 Reply - +1 y
Just talk about the fun things about job
10 Reply I would be honest.
00 Replyu
+1 yI'm a manager...
00 ReplyWill tell truth
10 Reply- +1 y
honestly I'd lie and say some other job
10 Reply - +1 y
What do you do?
01 Reply- +1 y
So you’re saying I should turn it around and ask them the same thing? Usually that wouldn’t work because they’re currently at their job. Like for example, what prompted this question is that I was asked this while at the cable company today. I was questioned about what I do for a living by the guy behind the counter.
I say exactly what I do. Who cares?
00 Reply799 opinions shared on Education & Career topic. Quit my job
10 Reply- +1 y
Be honest
10 Reply
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