I remember being asked this question a lot when I was dissatisfied with my career. My usual strategy would be to give a pat answer and immediately turn the question back on the person who asked it.
My avoidance of the question wasn't so much that I was considered unsuccessful or that my work was embarrassing, it was more about the fact that I didn't feel personally successful doing what I was doing.
I longed to be excited not evasive when asked this question. I wanted to be able to speak for more than 2 seconds before I turned the question back on my inquisitor.
What do you do when asked this question and how do you feel? If you find yourself avoiding and not feeling all that great about your answer, it's time to change your answer and here's a simple way to get started?
Ask yourself this: "What do I REALLY want to say when someone says, "So what do you do for work?""
What's the first thing that comes to mind?
What about it is appealing to you?
What other things come to mind?
How do feel thinking about it?
If you feel good, then you are on the right track!
Now if you are like most, you'll immediately start thinking of all the reasons why this will never happen. What if you put all those reasons aside and just thought more about it? Try it?
What would be one thing you could do to explore how this idea might work? I bet you do a lot of projects at your current job, what would be your next steps if you were to make turning this idea into reality a project?
This may seem simple, but it is the first step to shift your attention from discomfort to possibility.
Give it a try, you really have nothing to lose and could possibly get on your way to happily answering, "So, what do you do for work?"
Doreen Banaszak is a career coach, teacher & founder of the "90-Day Get Your Career UnSlumped Challenge". Where do you want to be in 90 days? Register today to receive your free "GetUnSlumped Welcome Package" including an e-workbook, free tele-workshop and complementary coaching consultation. Register at http://www.getunslumped.com!


Writing a cover letter to send with your rsum can... Read More
What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More
I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Wait a... Read More
Employer and interviewers expect you to answer tough question during... Read More
Are free resume templates a viable answer to preparing a... Read More
Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More
"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More
Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More
I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More
"The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More
Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More
Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More
Common sense appears to be a rare commodity these days.... Read More
Here's a quick way to compare your own job experience... Read More
As many law enforcement candidates can vouch for, taking the... Read More
What makes for a rich career? It is more than... Read More
You Are Lucky in Being Satisfied in Your CareerJust for... Read More
Stories of intrigue, treachery, politics, lies, double crosses,... Read More
Searching for a job has become easier than ever for... Read More
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
No matter how much time and energy you invest in... Read More
I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More
It is a well-known fact that more and more people... Read More
I was rushing through the white-tented terminal building at Denver... Read More
Do these sound familiar?"I worked for?" "My responsibilities were?"... Read More
Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More
One of the best things you can do to increase... Read More
When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More
Since the world started hair has been a very important... Read More
Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as... Read More
Managing your career, just like managing your life, requires preparation... Read More
You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More
Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is... Read More
May I clarify in this article what I believe to... Read More
"Stop being such a Pollyanna," a trusted, more experienced colleague... Read More
Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident... Read More
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the... Read More
Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with... Read More
Families, mothers, employers, and medical practices all interact in one... Read More
While traveling in northern California last October, I happened... Read More
Unemployment carries a lot of emotional baggage for most of... Read More
As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many... Read More
Use a resume as a foot in the doorWhen you... Read More
I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Employer Ask Illegal Interview... Read More
Legging Up Your CompetitionLet's face it. When you graduate from... Read More
A paperweight sits on my desk, etched in... Read More
"If you always do what you've always done, you will... Read More
As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More
Has this ever happened to you: You have been working... Read More
Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource |