Whether you’re at a cocktail party, networking event, business mixer, or your kid’s baseball practice, it never fails…
Someone’s going to ask you THE question: “So, what do you do?”
Considering I’m a career and business coach, you’d think I LOVE this question. But no. It bugs me too.
Call it PTSD from when I first started out in the coaching industry — long before most people ever heard of coaching that didn’t involve Olympic gymnasts or football teams…
Or chalk it up to the countless hours I’ve spent reassuring anxious career changers and budding business owners that
a) their work isn’t their worth
and
b) their career doesn’t define their identity.
But I think asking it at every turn is an unfortunate social norm.
I’d much rather answer, “So, who ARE you?”
And go deep with:
“I’m someone who cares deeply about X.”
“I’m someone who has devoted my life to Y.”
“I’m someone who is driven by Z.”
We are so much MORE than what we DO.
You’re more than a copywriter, real estate agent, or coach. You’re a whole person with a whole life and meaning and value that has nothing to do with how you earn your living.
But, hey — we live in the real world with real bills, and nailing our answer to “What do you do?’” can open doors and opportunities.
Here’s the thing —
You’re boring yourself and your new acquaintance with the same old “copywriter,” “real estate agent,” “coach” answer. We have the opportunity to share so much MORE about how we are and what we bring to the world through our work.
A better way to think about it is this: what RESULTS do you create? In other words, talk about outcomes.
My quick answer? Depends on who I’m talking to.
“I help people figure out what they want to do with their lives.”
– or –
“I help coaches to raise their income and impact.”
This makes me feel good about the difference I’m making to the world, but more importantly — it piques interest and starts a conversation.
And it works for any job.
Copywriter: “I wordsmith products into profit.”
Real Estate Agent: “I help people find their dream home.”
Coach: “I help leaders look forward to Monday morning.”
Now you’ve got people’s attention. Throw out your title, and they’ll probably change the subject or possibly even make incorrect assumptions about what you truly do.
Offer them a results-focused teaser, and you’re inviting them to ask more.