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!
Before you go into the interview, it is important to... Read More
You are just about to leave university You are just... Read More
Ask survivors of the most popular reality television shows and... Read More
Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More
At this present time I have a job. It pays... Read More
When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More
Tips on writing your Skills and Achievement Based CV (ABCV)... Read More
Ever hear the story of the two masons working side... Read More
One of the most emotionally crippling aspects of unemployment is... Read More
Have you ever been to a networking event that was... Read More
Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More
Studies show that more than 50% of people are unhappy... Read More
You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More
Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More
This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More
The alarm clock jars you awake at some insanely... Read More
You're pretty comfortable using the phone. It's something you do... Read More
Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More
How can you manage your emotions during your career change... Read More
Meaningful work honors the deepest part of your being. It... Read More
Good News for Employers wishing to change the terms of... Read More
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the... Read More
Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More
If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More
People work to live, but most also live to work.... Read More
The New Year is a great time to analyze your... Read More
In my career advising practice, I often find that my... Read More
Job dissatisfaction is a driving force behind individuals seeking employment... Read More
You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions... Read More
Those who watched HBO's Sex and the City (SATC, now... Read More
If you are not busy living, then you must be... Read More
"When I was a child, I always thought the world... Read More
How long has it been since you last had to... Read More
Ever had that perfect life when everything seems perfect yet... Read More
Hank Bochenski's story proves it is never too late to... Read More
When you first get the job offer it will often... Read More
It's okay to take your job seriously, to be a... Read More
Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method... Read More
Your cover letter is critical to your success. It sets... Read More
A raise in your base salary is a permanent source... Read More
1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More
Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve... Read More
There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More
You've taken the police officer selection test or law enforcement... Read More
Why Use Resume ObjectivesBefore we can discuss the pitfalls you... Read More
In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More
Everyone dreams of a life full of love and adventure.... Read More
Down-sized? Outsourced? Burned-out? Wizened up? That's what I said. Wizened... Read More
I like Simon, one of three judges on... Read More
The expense was substantial. An immersion workshop with twelve participants... Read More
The US Government has just released last month's job creation... Read More
When you start a new job, you probably realize the... Read More
For many of us, telecommuting seems like the ideal situation.... Read More
The Painful ApproachFor many years, "performance management" was of an... Read More
Although today's job market can be very competitive, many job... Read More
Many people are working at jobs they don't want and... Read More
Ask survivors of the most popular reality television shows and... Read More
Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More
Every human body is different and a personal trainer will... Read More
We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't... Read More
There is a huge shortage, which effects franchises costs in... Read More
There are numerous tools and resources available to guide job... Read More
I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |