Client: We have great news: we will be hiring an in-house developer. I need you to tell our HR manager what to write in the job posting.
Me: But that is the service I’m providing, front-end coding. Are you unhappy with my work?
Client: Not at all. The sites you coded are amazing! We just have so many things to do that I think you will not have time to finish them.
Me: Oh, I see. So this in-house person will take over some extra projects you think I will not have time to do?
Client: No, they will be taking over your projects.
Me: Again, though, that’s the service I am offering you. The code is yours, of course, but I thought you were happy with my work. Are you trying to tell me you will not be needing my services from now on?
Client: Not at all. I will need you to offer back-end coding for me. And you will be so busy doing that that I will need a front-end coder in-house.
Me: That’s not my expertise, or the service I offer. I am a front-end developer, I am good at it, I have done it for 20 years and I still love doing it. I don’t think I want to change the nature of my services at this point in my career. Why don’t you hire a back-end developer instead?
Client: (yelling) I don’t understand you. I come to the table with these great offers and all you give me is negativity! Why would you want to do degrading work when I am offering you the chance to take over a better project?
