what do you do for a living

Things You Should Know

• Answer the question by telling a story about a positive work experience or talking about your goals.
• Make your answer as relatable as possible đồ sộ be more personable and approachable.
• Ditch intricate details and statistics for interesting facts and tales đồ sộ captivate the listener.

1. Telling an interesting or uplifting story about your job is a great way đồ sộ make a positive first impression. Tell a friend, family thành viên, recruiter, or stranger about something fun that’s happened at your job. Not only does this share your job title and mô tả tìm kiếm, but it also gives insight into what you bởi on a day-to-day basis in an entertaining way.^[1]

2. 

   The last thing anyone wants đồ sộ hear is a boring, drawn-out mô tả tìm kiếm of your job. Leave the technicalities for your resume and opt for personable stories instead. Use language the questioner will likely understand. Basically, tell an engaging story!^[2]

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3. Share what excites you about your job with just about anyone. Why did you want đồ sộ be a part of the field? What bởi you look forward đồ sộ doing each day at work? Your passion can make you seem more personable, which is great for chatting with potential employers.

4. 

   No matter who asks you the question, they likely don’t want đồ sộ hear statistics. Keep informative details of your job out of the conversation. Instead, focus on what’s interesting and keep your answer short and sweet. In other words, only describe what’s important on the surface (your resume can describe the details if needed).^[3]

5. Don’t be afraid đồ sộ promote yourself, especially when talking with potential employers or business executives. The question “What bởi you bởi for a living?” is often a rephrasing of “Tell bu about yourself” in interviews. So, use the question as a segue đồ sộ talk about your accomplishments.^[4]

6. 

   If you’re proud of your job title and work, feel không tính tiền đồ sộ share it. This is a great way đồ sộ open up about your current job and future goals. Just try not đồ sộ get too biographical, as that could easily bore friends, family, and recruiters.

7. How you answer “What bởi you bởi for a living?” can vary depending on who you’re chatting with. For instance, a recruiter or potential employer may prefer an answer that highlights your past work experiences and goals, whereas a family thành viên is likely more interested in hearing a relatable story.

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1. 

   • “I’m currently a writer for an online tech company. Believe it or not, I actually wrote an article last week about how AI capitalizes on creative jobs and nội dung creators.”
   • “I’m a lawyer with a private firm downtown. We just had a fascinating case. Did you hear about the principal embezzling money from his school?”
   • “I’m a xe taxi driver in Thành Phố New York, and boy, have I had my fair share of interesting clients! Believe it or not, I had the Perez Hilton hop into my cab the other day. Who would’ve thought!”
2. • “I work at Subway right now. You wouldn’t believe how many people order plain ham sandwiches! But hey, it makes my job that much easier.”
   • “Say you’re trying đồ sộ eat healthier. Well, I come đồ sộ your house and help you meal prep. I take you shopping and teach you how đồ sộ find products that match your individual needs.”
   • “You know the guy that pulls up with your pizza order? That’s me! It’s not a long-term career, but it’s helping bu get through college.”

3. 

   • “I help college students learn how đồ sộ bởi job interviews and present themselves đồ sộ potential employers. It’s extremely rewarding watching students blossom before your eyes and climb that corporate ladder.”
   • “I’m an artist. I usually bởi design work for local companies working on building their brands. The job lets bu turn their vision into a reality.”
   • “There’s something ví empowering about helping people find their sense of style. Clothes are more kêu ca something you wear; they’re a part of you. As a stylist, I can help others find and feel lượt thích themselves.”
4. • “I write articles đồ sộ help people learn how đồ sộ bởi just about anything. It’s a fun way đồ sộ learn something new every day!”
   • “I’m a real estate agent and show people houses they hope đồ sộ buy. I love supporting families as they find their forever home page.”
   • “I pick up people’s groceries and bring them đồ sộ their house.”

5. 

   • “I’m a hard, efficient worker and natural problem solver. With my guidance, clients are able đồ sộ improve their SEO tactics and increase their websites’ traffic. Just last month, I helped a client gain 80% of views on their trang web.”
   • “I’m a strong communicator with a compassionate heart. I help clients open up and work through life’s setbacks while pushing them toward their future goals. In the last year, I helped 2 clients achieve their life goals.”
   • “I’m a goal-oriented team player who lives and breathes the game. I’ve been playing basketball since I could walk, and the dream is đồ sộ one day play for the NBA.”
6. • “I started tutoring in college and easily fell in love with the students and professors. I loved the job, but I realized I wanted đồ sộ be more kêu ca a student tutor. So, with the help of my coworkers, I developed an online tutoring platform for the area.”
   • “Well, I started by performing in school plays until I eventually got involved in community theater. Once I graduated, I decided it was time đồ sộ aim big. I traveled the country and starred in multiple productions until I scored a leading role in a touring Broadway show.”
   • “I’ve been writing ever since I could hold a pencil. Story telling is my passion, and writing just ví happens đồ sộ be the perfect outlet for bu. I first got involved in journalism in elementary school when I began reporting for the school’s student news. Since then, I’ve been reporting ground breaking stories.”

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1. 

   More often kêu ca not, “What bởi you bởi for a living?” is asked by recruiters or other employees at job fairs or conferences. The question is a way for people đồ sộ get familiar with your job mô tả tìm kiếm and career path.^[5]

2. “What bởi you bởi for a living?” is a common question at parties, reunions, or catch-ups. People use it đồ sộ strike up a conversation, especially with someone they’re meeting for the first time or haven’t seen in a while.

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1. 

   Whether you’re networking or doing a job interview, responding đồ sộ “What bởi you bởi for a living?” is extremely important. Your response shares not only your current job but also your attitude. How you describe your career and self shows off your communication skills, value, and relatability.

2. In social settings, answering a quick question about your job or career can spark an even bigger conversation. Perhaps you’re meeting someone for the first time (like your partner’s parents) or meeting up with a long lost friend. No matter the scenario, answering “What bởi you bởi for a living?” lets you share something about yourself while also breaking the ice.

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1. 

   Some people don’t lượt thích talking about their jobs or career, and that’s okay! Maybe you’re a student, stay-at-home mom, or in-between jobs at the moment. No matter, "What bởi you bởi for a living?" might throw you off or be uncomfortable because you prefer đồ sộ keep your professional and personal life private. If this is the case, try swerving around the topic of your career (especially if you’re outside a work setting).^[6] For instance, you could say:

   • “I’m a full-time writer with my own blog. What about you? Last I heard, you were an up-and-coming businesswoman?”
   • “I’m actually retired and loving it! I bởi pick up the odd job every once and a while, but it's mostly just for fun.”
   • “I’m not working right now, but I have a few jobs lined up. I’m looking forward đồ sộ my next chapter! I'm much more interested in hearing about this new puppy you have, though...”
   • “I specialize in arts and crafts and own my own Etsy cửa hàng. What about you? Do you have any hobbies?”
   • “I'm homeschooling my two boys right now since it's really important đồ sộ bu that they learn in an enriching and nurturing environment. Do you have any experience with kids?”

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• If you’re headed đồ sộ a job interview or business sự kiện, practice your answer beforehand. This is an excellent way đồ sộ feel out how you’ll reply—go with whatever feels right!^[7]

• If you have more kêu ca 1 job, don’t be afraid đồ sộ share about all of them! Noting multiple career paths is a great way đồ sộ note your strong and determined work ethic.

• If you don’t have a job, don’t stress too much about your answer. Be honest (especially during a job interview) and give vague details. Focus on your strengths and goals rather kêu ca your current position.