Third only to death and taxes is the assurance a new acquaintance will soon chirp, “And what do you do?” (Is it fitting and proper they should make that query? We’ll pick up that sticky wicketlater.) For the moment, these few defensive moves help you keep your crackerjack communicator credentials when asked the inevitable question.
First, like Never the Naked City, don’t toss a short-shrift answer in response to the asker’s breathless inquiry. You leave the poor fish flopping on the deck when you just say your title: “I’m an actuary/an auditor/an author/an astrophysicist.” Have mercy so he or she doesn’t feel like a nincompoop outsider asking, “What, er, kind of actuizing (auditing, authoring, or astrophysizing) do you do?”
You’re an attorney. Don’t leave it to laymen to try to figure out what you really do. Flesh it out. Tell a little story your conversation partner can get a handle on. For example, if you’re talking with a young mother say, “I’m an attorney. Our firm specializes in employment law. In fact, now I’m involved in a case where a company actually discharged a woman for taking extra maternity leave that was a medical necessity.” A mother can relate to that.
Technique #16
Never the Naked Job
When asked the inevitable “And what do you do,” you may think “I’m an economist/an educator/an engineer” is giving enough information to engender good conversation. However, to one who is not an economist, educator, or an engineer, you might as well be saying “I’m a paleontologist/psychoanalyst/pornographer.”
Flesh it out. Throw out some delicious facts about your job for new acquaintances to munch on. Otherwise, they’ll soon excuse themselves, preferring the snacks back at the cheese tray.
Talking with a business owner? Say “I’m an attorney. Our firm specializes in employment law. My current case concerns an employer who is being sued by one of her staff for asking personal questions during the initial job interview.” A business owner can relate to that.
First, like Never the Naked City, don’t toss a short-shrift answer in response to the asker’s breathless inquiry. You leave the poor fish flopping on the deck when you just say your title: “I’m an actuary/an auditor/an author/an astrophysicist.” Have mercy so he or she doesn’t feel like a nincompoop outsider asking, “What, er, kind of actuizing (auditing, authoring, or astrophysizing) do you do?”
You’re an attorney. Don’t leave it to laymen to try to figure out what you really do. Flesh it out. Tell a little story your conversation partner can get a handle on. For example, if you’re talking with a young mother say, “I’m an attorney. Our firm specializes in employment law. In fact, now I’m involved in a case where a company actually discharged a woman for taking extra maternity leave that was a medical necessity.” A mother can relate to that.
Technique #16
Never the Naked Job
When asked the inevitable “And what do you do,” you may think “I’m an economist/an educator/an engineer” is giving enough information to engender good conversation. However, to one who is not an economist, educator, or an engineer, you might as well be saying “I’m a paleontologist/psychoanalyst/pornographer.”
Flesh it out. Throw out some delicious facts about your job for new acquaintances to munch on. Otherwise, they’ll soon excuse themselves, preferring the snacks back at the cheese tray.
Talking with a business owner? Say “I’m an attorney. Our firm specializes in employment law. My current case concerns an employer who is being sued by one of her staff for asking personal questions during the initial job interview.” A business owner can relate to that.
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