What to Do When Someone Asks You to Work for Free

What to Do When Someone Asks You to Work for FreeWhat to Do When Someone Asks You to Work for FreeWhen close friends have career conundrums, Im quick to ask more questions. Like a good friend should be, Im eager to help. But other times, Ill get messages from people who I barely know or havent spoken to in years. The most astonishing are the ones from people Ive just met or, in fact, have never met. They usually start with some polite greeting, move into a realization that Im a career counselor, and then make a direct request that I have a look at their resume or talk (read counsel) them about their careers- for free. Its a bizarre experience when someone asks you to work for free. Its flattering at first to be recognized for your expertise, but it doesnt take long to grasp that they dont appreciate it enough to actually want to pay you what its worth. In the end, it feels pretty awful. Sadly, it keeps happening- and its not just career counselors. This seems to be a rampant problem in creative industries, especially. Graphic designers, writers, photographers, and more all experience this on a regular basis. So, how do you respond when someone asks you to work for free without screaming, Would you ask your dentist to work for free? Ive spoken to a few more seasoned career counselors, and this is what Ive come up with.1. Assume the Best IntentionsIts always easier to respond when you assume the best. In this case, assume that the rolle does want to pay you. If youre interested in having someone as a client, respond with, Id be happy to help, then go ahead and launch into your services, corresponding fees, and next steps. Of course, these inquiries might not be the best place to be developing clients, since their initial assumption was that your work wasnt worth payment. With this in mind, you may want to consider declining your services.2. Say NoThe next step, then, is to just say no. A mentor of mine suggested something along the lines of, Im flattered that you re seeking my advice (or services), but unfortunately Im not taking on additional clients at the moment. This way you are clearly declining the request, but youre also assuming the best in people by responding to them as if they were seeking to be your client. 3. Offer AlternativesTo ease the blow a little bit, since many times you will want to preserve what little relationship you may have had with this person, offer up other professionals who might be able to help. Ive frequently directed people to other career counselors whose work Im familiar with. This way, not only are you offering another solution, you might also have the opportunity to educate this contact about the value of your work (if, for example, the other recommended professionals have their fees posted on their website).4. Throw in a bonbonFinally, depending on your profession, you might be able to throw in a free resource to show that you care, you just cant work for free. Ill sometimes direct people to specific art icles on The Muse or to a particular career assessment that Ive seen help others in a similar situation. While Ive seen others handle this in a much more statement-y fashion, I cant bring myself to retaliate against someone who is probably going through something unpleasant at his or her job, or worse, doesnt have one. All that said, I still wouldnt work for free, and I hope you wont either. Ive written quite a few of these uncomfortable emails, and theyve all worked out. May your conversations go as seamlessly as possible, too. Good luck. Photo of man with empty wallet courtesy of Shutterstock.