At some point, almost everyone gets asked this simple question:
“So… what do you do for a living?”
For many professionals—especially in technical or specialized fields—this question can feel oddly difficult to answer. You either go too technical and lose people, or you oversimplify so much that it feels inaccurate.
I’ve been there.
As a DevOps engineer, I spent years trying to explain my role using titles, tools, and buzzwords. Most conversations ended quickly—not because people weren’t interested, but because they didn’t understand.
That’s when I realized something important:
Your job title is not your job description.
Once I stopped explaining how I do my job and started explaining why it matters, everything changed.
Below are practical tips to help you explain what you do—clearly, confidently, and in a way anyone can understand.
1. Stop Leading With Your Job Title
Job titles are often internal labels, not explanations.
Saying “I’m a DevOps engineer”, “I’m a solutions architect”, or “I work in data analytics” assumes the other person already understands your world.
Instead, treat your title as optional context—not the main message.
2. Focus on Outcomes, Not Tools
Most people don’t care about:
- Programming languages
- Frameworks
- Cloud providers
- Software tools
They care about what problem you solve.
Ask yourself:
- What breaks if I don’t do my job?
- Who benefits from my work?
- What pain do I remove?
For example, instead of listing cloud platforms, I now say:
I help companies build, run, and maintain their software systems.
That single sentence is easier to understand than a long list of tools.
3. Use Language a Non-Expert Would Understand
A good test is this:
Would a non-technical friend, parent, or stranger understand this?
If the answer is no, simplify further.
You’re not “dumbing it down.”
You’re translating.
Complex work deserves clear language.
4. Keep It Short — One or Two Sentences Max
If your explanation turns into a paragraph, it’s too long.
Aim for:
- One clear sentence
- Two at most
If the person is interested, they’ll ask follow-up questions.
Clarity invites curiosity.
5. Let Curiosity Do the Heavy Lifting
The goal isn’t to explain everything.
The goal is to explain just enough.
A simple explanation often leads to:
- “Oh, that’s interesting”
- “How did you get into that?”
- “So what does a normal day look like?”
That’s a much better outcome than silence.
Final Thought
Being able to explain what you do clearly isn’t just a social skill—it’s a professional one.
Whether you’re networking, interviewing, or just meeting someone new, a simple explanation builds connection and confidence.
So next time someone asks:
“What do you do for a living?”
Try explaining it like you’re talking to a total stranger.
Because clarity is powerful.