How to Stay Confident When Asked the Most Terrifying Question in the World…What Do You Do?

By: Melanie Colusci

Recently, I had the opportunity to help facilitate a conversation with a group of women entrepreneurs. The goal of the discussion was to be able to walk away with some of the critical components in place for each participant’s mid-year marketing plan. As part of this meeting we worked on and practiced each of our respective “elevator talks”. This has been something I personally have struggled with in the past as I have often caught myself taking the easy way out and when asked the question “What do you do” I simply give my job title or what I am. Even now, I sometimes do this if I don’t really feel like talking and it amuses me to see how quickly the other person tries to excuse themselves. However, giving a job title doesn’t REALLY explain what I do.  By just giving my job title I have allowed the other person to now stereotype me and lump me in with their perception of what that job title actually does.

The question we need to ask ourselves is in a world where we need to set ourselves apart and demonstrate our unique value why do we discount ourselves?

I don’t know if I can fully answer that question, but I do know it’s time to STOP.  It’s time to stop believing I’m not good enough or worthy or whatever word you’d like to insert that you tell yourself. So, from now on, here’s what we are going to do.

First, when you are asked what you do take a deep breath. If you feel the fear or panic starting to course through your veins when asked that question take a deep breath and exhale.  Imagine you are feeling the fear being released from your body.

Second, you are NOT going to answer with your job title.  BORING!!!

Third, you are going to start with “Do you know” which is a great way to help identify the pain or the need your product or service addresses. For example, “Do you know for most women who run businesses they often take care of the majority of household responsibilities too and how stressful that can be?” (I’ve identified the pain here.) Then you will say “What I do or What we do” which is the solution. For example, “Well, what we do is help women organize their businesses in such a way that they can focus on other priorities without worry.” I have now given enough information to most likely interest someone in finding out more about what I do. Especially if they are that woman entrepreneur that takes care of the business and her family!

Keep in mind, you may need to tailor your “what do you do” response to the audience with whom you are speaking. Practice a couple of different responses to the point that you feel comfortable using any of them.  That way you are always prepared to answer the question regardless of the situation.