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Tips for crafting the perfect response to this age-old question
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We’ve all been there. The dreaded “what do you do?” question is asked at a job interview or networking event and you have no idea how to respond. Do you tell them your job title? What your work day looks like? Your hobbies? Goals? How much information is too much? Well, the question of “what do you do?” isn't as intimidating as it may sound. In fact, we've compiled 11 engaging and personal ways to respond so that you can tackle this question with ease!

3

Talk about what your job means to you.

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  1. The question “what do you do?” is a chance for people to get to know you better. The more people can understand why your work is significant to you personally, the more they want to help you succeed at it.[3]
    • “I work in admissions because I’ve always believed in the value of education.”
    • “I work in environmental science because I want to protect the planet.”
    • “I work in fundraising, because this cause is really important to me.”
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5

Tell your story.

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  1. We process information better when it’s presented to us in narrative-form. When someone asks “what do you do?,” they’re really asking for the story of you. Think of it like a three-act structure. In the set-up, you tell them your goals and where you’ve worked before. In the climax, you tell them what you’re currently doing and how you’re trying to realize those goals. In the resolution, you connect the dots, and tell them why you're here.[5]
    • “I started as a fast food worker where I learned how much I love to cook. Now, I really want to curate menus.”
    • “Working as a physical therapist taught me what the body is capable of. I think polishing that skill for the past three years would make me a great assistant coach.”
    • “I grew up poor, which made me value every penny. That inspired me to get a degree in finance to prepare me for asset management.”
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7

Use your answer as a launching pad into a conversation.

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  1. People love to talk about themselves and their passions. When someone asks what you do, don’t just ask them the same thing. Ask them why they like it, what they would change about it, what else they like doing. The more you learn about each other, the more likely you are to find a common interest and connect.[7]
    • “I’m a travel agent. What’s your favorite vacation you’ve been on?”
    • “I’m a lifeguard. Do you like to swim?”
    • “I’m a box office attendant. Seen any good movies lately?”
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11

Discuss your goals too.

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  1. Being unemployed or in-between jobs is nothing to be ashamed of. “What do you do?” isn’t just a career-based question. In fact, showing you’re passionate about something in your free time may make you stand out more.[9]
    • “I like drawing; I really want to get into graphic design.”
    • “I’ve always been good with numbers. I’d like to work my way up as an accountant.”
    • “I love sports. I think working at a gym would be a really good fit.”
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Tips

  • If you’re looking for alternatives for asking someone “what do you do?,” consider something that focuses less on their day-to-day and more on their passions. Try “what excites you?” or “what’s awesome about your life?”[10]
  • ”What’s something interesting you learned recently?” is another great conversation-starting question if you feel trapped in the “what do you do?” rut.[11]
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About This Article

Amber Rosenberg, PCC
Co-authored by:
Life Coach
This article was co-authored by Amber Rosenberg, PCC and by wikiHow staff writer, Finn Kobler. Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This article has been viewed 72,910 times.
7 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: July 25, 2024
Views: 72,910
Categories: Questions
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,910 times.

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