So, What Do You Do For Work?

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!

---

Taking Charge During An Interview!

Perhaps you've found yourself in the position of seeking a... Read More

Reading the Want Ads--Not for Jobs--For Information

What? Want ads are where job announcements are, not information!Wait!... Read More

Career Moves: Take Charge of Your Life

Every day millions of people let their inner fears stop... Read More

15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes

The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More

What is My Calling?

"What is my calling?" Do any of us really have... Read More

20 Powerful Tips For Advancing Your Career

You don't want to stay in your current position forever...... Read More

Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

Job Search - 6 Tips to Boost Your Campaign

Does your job search feel like a big weight on... Read More

Take Charge of Your Job Search: 12 Steps to Success

Despite what many people may say, a job search does... Read More

Can You Compete?

Are you looking to hire the best talent? Are you... Read More

How to Improve Your Work Situation

buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More

What Do Accountants And Doctors Have In Common?

Freshly qualified accounting graduates when asked by the interviewer "Are... Read More

Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment

In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More

The Myths of Career Change

Chances are you already have many ideas about what it... Read More

Networking is the Key to Star Performance in Everything You Do.

Many people's idea of networking relates to the 'size of... Read More

Pair Your Powerful Resume with a Great Cover Letter

Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More

What Not To Include In Your Resume

Do you have a difficult time determining what does not... Read More

Tips on How to Write High Impact Letters of Recommendation

Congratulations. You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation... Read More

Loving What You Do

Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More

Make em READ Your Cover Letter Using This Killer Secret!

Got your attention? Great. That was my intention. Who wouldn't... Read More

Technology in the Workplace - Boon or Curse?

Like all new innovations, technology in the work environment can... Read More

Four Job Interview Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Chances of Success

What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns... Read More

Working In Iraq: Is It For You?

The US Army Corp of Engineers and numerous private companies... Read More

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

It isn't the end of the world, even if it... Read More

Fear of Being Outsourced? Fight Back

Me, outsourced? Impossible. How could they replace a business-humor columnist?... Read More

Any Job is an Honorable Job

Seeing your job as an honorable job, adds more meaning... Read More

Job Interviews -- The Four Worst Objections You?ll Face and How to Deal with Them

Dealing with tough questions and objections is an essential part... Read More

Interview Thank-You Letters

The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More

TMI: The Resume Destroyer

"They say my résumé should be only one page long.... Read More

To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key

When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More

Are You Suited for Self-employment?

A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More

How To Write A Résumé

Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More

Knowing and Guessing

The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More