How to gracefully answer employment status inquiries if you're unemployed?

Question

For example, if you can't find a job at the current time, how would you answer the question: "what do you do?" without sounding like a lazy bum?

Answer 1

You reply with "Well do you know anything about hydro-thermal depolymerization?" When they say no you say "Yeah neither do I, which is one of the reasons I'm unemployed."

Answer 2

You could be currently considering your options.

You could be evaluating a career change, and looking at your re-training options (research some and list them).

Or you could name your previous career and say that you are currently looking for a new employer, as the scope at your previous company was too limited for you to develop your career as you wish.

If you make your explanation convincing, but make it a bit of a mouthful, that will be enough for most people and they will not pursue their enquiry.

Answer 3

"I am currently in between jobs right now." Go on to explain your line of work. Maybe you'll get some leads or intros.

Answer 4

"i run a 24-hour day care center for my left and right legs."
"i am self employed"
"i work at home (take out trash, do dishes, etc.)"
"i watch the TV waiting for newscasters to make a mistake, then i record it and send it to BLOOPERS"
"i'm too bust being a good consumer to work"

Answer 5

i normally say what i most recently did, or what i'm applying for.
for example, i used to work for DirecTV as a tech support agent. "I do Technical Support." or, if i'm applying for jobs such as call center work "I am a customer service representitive."

Answer 6

Job search history and volunteer work.

Answer 7

Self employed.

Answer 8

looking for work, between jobs, its a government secret, i dont chose to answer that right now, its none of your business

Answer 9

between jobs at the moment

Answer 10

You're on a secret mission and can't really elaborate.