banner

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

What do you do for a living? title card with illustration of a woman

How to Answer “What Do You Do for a Living?” in Different Situations

When someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” it’s an opportunity to share who you are and what you do. Your answer can vary depending on the situation and context. Whether you’re speaking to a potential employer, a friend, or a stranger, here are five ways to respond based on the situation.

1. Straightforward Answer: Keep It Simple

If you think the person will understand your occupation, simply state it plainly. For example, you might say:

  • “I’m a writer.”
  • “I’m a journalist.”
  • “I’m a doctor.”
  • “I’m a retail salesperson.”

This approach is clear and concise, making it easy for others to understand your job.

2. Expressing Pride and Excitement: Highlight Your Impact

If you’re excited and proud of your work, use the opportunity to talk about the impact you make. Sharing your enthusiasm can lead to a more engaging conversation. For instance:

  • 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.”

This response emphasizes the value you bring to others, making your job sound more meaningful and rewarding.

3. When You Don’t Like Your Job: Separate Passion from Work

If you’re not thrilled with your current job, it’s okay to distinguish between your work and your true passion. For example:

  • “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].”

This response allows you to acknowledge your job while staying true to your personal interests.

4. In Between Jobs: Share Your Aspirations

If you’re looking for your next job, focus on your past work and future aspirations. For example:

  • “This is what I used to do for work, and what I’d really like to do is [your desired job].”

This approach keeps the conversation positive and forward-thinking, helping others understand your goals.

5. Not Working by Choice: Explain How You Spend Your Time

If you’re not currently working and have chosen not to, simply explain how you spend your days. For example:

  • “I don’t work, but this is how I spend my days.”

This response offers insight into your current lifestyle and interests, and can lead to a deeper conversation about personal pursuits.

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

Watch the Video Explainer

How to Gracefully Interrupt Ramblers in a Social Setting

Interrupting ramblers in a social setting title card

We’ve all been at networking events or dinner parties where someone just keeps going on and on with their stories. Here are seven tips to help you interrupt a rambler gracefully.

Seven Tips to Gracefully Interrupt Ramblers

  1. Insert Your Own Story
    If they keep talking about their recent travels, you can say, “Oh, that reminds me of a trip I just made,” and see if they pause and let you speak.
  2. Avoid Affirming Body Language
    Stop nodding unconsciously, as it signals interest. When you stop, they may notice and pause to check in with you.
  3. Raise Your Hand
    If stopping the nodding doesn’t work, physically raise your hand to indicate you want to say something.
  4. Announce Your Intent to Comment
    Say, “I’d like to comment on that. Before I do, I want to check my understanding,” and refer to some of their points before making your comment.
  5. Invite Others to Join the Conversation
    In a group setting, invite someone else to share their experience. For example, “I’d love to hear what you have to say, [Name].”
  6. Change the Topic
    Use a segue like, “You’re making me think about something else. Do you mind if we change the topic?”
  7. Make an Excuse to Leave
    If all else fails, politely excuse yourself by saying, “I need to go talk to [Name]” or “I need to check on something.”

I hope you found these tips helpful. If you did, please click like and share this post. For more on the topic, watch our video explainer.

Happy Networking!

Watch the video explainer

How to Gracefully Interrupt Ramblers at Work

Interrupting ramblers at work title card with illustration of a woman

Navigating conversations with colleagues who ramble can be challenging. Here are eight tips to help you interrupt ramblers at work gracefully.

Eight Tips to Gracefully Interrupt Ramblers at Work

  1. Share a Related Story
    If they’re talking about a difficult project, you can say, “Oh, I have a similar experience.”
  2. Avoid Affirming Body Language
    Stop nodding, as it may unconsciously signal interest. When you stop, they may notice and pause to check in with you.
  3. Raise Your Hand
    If stopping the nodding doesn’t work, physically raise your hand to indicate you want to say something.
  4. Help Them Get to the Point
    They might be verbal processors. Help them by saying, “I just want to check for understanding. Is this what you’re saying? Yes or no?”
  5. Invite Others to Comment
    In group meetings, invite someone else to share their thoughts. For example, “I’d really like to hear what [Name] has to say about this topic.”
  6. Remind Them of Time Constraints
    Say, “I just want to do a time check. We only have 10 minutes left and need to get to the other agenda items.”
  7. Suggest a Topic Change
    Use a segue like, “You’re making me think about something else. Do you mind if we change the topic?”
  8. Ask for More Time to Think
    Say, “You’ve clearly done a lot of thinking about this. I need more time to think on my own. Can we return to this later?”

I hope you found these eight tips useful. If you did, please click like and share this post. For more tips, check out our video on interrupting ramblers in social settings and more on our blog.

Watch the video explainer