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Craft the Perfect Answer: How to Respond When Someone Asks You ‘What Do You Do for a Living?’

August 26, 2024 by Dr. Julie Pham Leave a Comment

When someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” it’s an easy way for them to understand what you do and who you are as a person. Different situations require different answers.

Here are five situations and how to respond, based on context

  1. Straightforward Answer
    If you think the person will understand your occupation, just state it plainly: “I’m a writer,” “I’m a journalist,” “I’m a doctor,” or “I’m a retail salesperson.”
  2. Expressing Pride and Excitement
    If you’re excited and proud of your work, talk about the impact you have on others. For example:
    • Accountant: “I help people feel less stressed about their taxes and finances.”
    • Retail Worker: “I help people find clothing that makes them feel special every day.”
  3. When You Don’t Like Your Job
    If you don’t enjoy your current job, you can differentiate between what you do for a living and what you’re passionate about: “Well, there’s what I do for a living, and then there’s what I actually do that makes life worth living. I’m really passionate about [your passion].”
  4. In Between Jobs
    If you’re looking for the next job, share your past work and future aspirations: “This is what I used to do for work, and what I’d really like to do is [your desired job].”
  5. Not Working by Choice
    If you don’t work and don’t plan to, simply explain how you spend your days: “I don’t work, but this is how I spend my days.”

I hope you found these tips helpful for answering the question, “What do you do for a living?” Happy networking!

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Tips & Best Practices CareerAdvice, careerdevelopment, CommunicationSkills, JobHunting, JobInterviewTips, NetworkingTips, ProfessionalGrowth, SelfImprovement, WorkLife

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