Small talk, or interview opportunity? (What do you do?)

TL;DR

Learn to answer the common "So, What Do you Do?" question by making your response engaging and tailored to the listener.

Transcript

Hey, everybody. Dave Giltner here with TurningScience. I help scientists and engineers design and build rewarding careers in industry. The topic for today's video is "How do you answer that common question, "So, what do you do?" Now, to a lot of people, this feels like an invitation to small talk, and that's something a lot of us scientists and eng... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚐 Transform the common question into a mini-interview by crafting an engaging and intriguing response tailored to the listener.
• 💦 Avoid overwhelming the listener with technical details and instead focus on sharing the broader impact and significance of your work.
• 🧍 Tailor your response based on the audience to effectively engage them and make yourself stand out.
• 🥺 Highlighting the compelling aspects of your work can lead to valuable networking opportunities and potential career growth.
• 💦 Emphasize the why behind your work to make it relatable and interesting to a general audience.
• 💦 Engage in conversations by sharing personal stories or examples to make your work more accessible and captivating.
• 🥺 Building connections through meaningful responses can lead to opportunities and valuable connections in various settings.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important to have a compelling response to the question "So, What Do you Do?"

Having a compelling response can transform a casual conversation into a valuable networking opportunity and leave a lasting impression on the listener.

Q: How can scientists and engineers make their work more relatable to a general audience when answering the question?

Scientists and engineers should focus on sharing the broader impact and significance of their work rather than overwhelming listeners with technical details.

Q: What are some key strategies to keep in mind when crafting responses to the question "So, What Do you Do?"

It is crucial to be engaging, relatable, and tailored to the audience's interests while highlighting the aspects of your work that make it compelling.

Q: How can a well-crafted response to the question "So, What Do you Do?" lead to potential career opportunities?

A well-crafted response can spark further conversation, generate interest in your work, and even open doors to new career opportunities by showcasing your expertise and passion.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Responding to the question "So, What Do you Do?" is an opportunity to turn small talk into a productive conversation.

• Avoid boring the listener with overly technical details by highlighting interesting aspects of your work.

• Tailor your response based on the audience to engage them effectively.