When someone asks, “What do you do?” it’s more than just a polite question—it’s an opportunity to showcase your skills, expertise, and value in a way that resonates with the person you’re speaking to. While many people respond with a generic job title or a vague description, the most successful professionals have perfected their verbal résumé. This tailored response goes beyond just listing your job; it highlights the unique value you offer, making your answer memorable and impactful. Whether networking, interviewing, or simply making a new connection, mastering your verbal résumé can open doors and create lasting impressions.
The Shortcomings of a Standard Résumé
The traditional résumé, a document many job seekers rely on, offers a straightforward and predictable snapshot of their professional background. It typically lists job titles, dates of employment, education, and perhaps a summary of job responsibilities. While this format is functional, it often falls short of conveying the unique value that the candidate brings to the table. A résumé is a passive tool; it sits on a desk, waiting to be noticed, and doesn’t engage the reader in the way a well-crafted verbal résumé can.
This static approach doesn’t effectively communicate how the individual’s skills and experiences align with the needs of a specific company or situation. Job seekers commonly send out the same résumé to numerous potential employers, assuming that the same qualifications will appeal across different sectors. However, this “one-size-fits-all” strategy is rarely effective because it doesn’t address each company’s unique challenges or goals. Employers are looking for candidates who can directly solve their problems, whether driving sales, streamlining operations or managing teams effectively. A résumé that fails to spotlight these relevant skills will likely be overlooked.
Similarly, when someone asks, “What do you do?” a generic answer like “I’m a marketing manager” doesn’t capture the richness of your skills, nor does it answer the underlying question: How can you help me or someone I know? The purpose of this question is not just to find out your job title but to explore how your role might connect to their interests, needs, or business. You leave the door closed on a deeper, more meaningful connection by merely repeating a job title or listing qualifications.
Roberto’s Tale of Tailored Success
Roberto’s story exemplifies the power of tailoring job applications and responses in any professional setting. Faced with two vastly different job opportunities—one at an ice cream company struggling with declining sales and the other at a fast-food chain aiming for international expansion—Roberto understood the importance of personalization. He didn’t just send the same résumé to both companies. Instead, he carefully highlighted the experience most relevant to each company’s needs.
For the ice cream company, he emphasized his past success in turning around a struggling business by boosting sales. This addressed the company’s current issue and positioned Roberto as the solution to their sales woes. On the other hand, for the fast-food chain, Roberto focused on his European experience and understanding of global markets, which matched the company’s long-term international goals. By tailoring his résumé to fit each company’s needs, Roberto presented himself not as a generic candidate but as the perfect fit for each organization’s specific challenges.
The result was that both companies made offers, but Roberto didn’t stop there. Armed with competing offers, he skillfully leveraged them against each other, playing them off to negotiate a higher salary and better perks. By being strategic about how he presented himself, Roberto turned what could have been a standard job search into a bidding war. His approach highlights the importance of tailoring your résumé and recognizing the value in adapting your answers to questions like “What do you do?” to align with the needs of the person asking. Personalization, in both job applications and everyday conversations, leads to more opportunities and greater success.
Craft Your Verbal Résumé: The Power of Personalization
When you respond to “What do you do?” the same principles of personalization that Roberto applied to his job search should also apply to your verbal résumé. Every interaction, whether professional or personal, is an opportunity to tailor your response to the needs or interests of the person you’re speaking with. The key is understanding that not everyone wants the same information from you and will be interested in the same details. By thinking about your listener’s perspective, you can craft an answer that resonates with them.
For example, if you’re talking to a potential client, it’s more beneficial to focus on how your skills can help them solve a problem or achieve a goal. A simple “I’m a financial advisor” is far less engaging than saying, “I help individuals plan their retirement by finding the best investment opportunities that align with their risk tolerance and long-term goals.” The latter response clarifies what you do and highlights the specific value you offer to someone looking for financial security.
Likewise, at networking events, where the purpose is to make connections and establish professional relationships, your response should focus on your unique strengths and how you can contribute to the person’s network or business goals. A generic “I work in marketing” won’t make you memorable. Instead, consider something like, “I specialize in digital marketing strategies that increase brand visibility and drive customer engagement for startups.” This version gives the listener a clear understanding of your expertise and opens the door for further conversation about potential collaboration or opportunities.
By considering your audience’s interests and potential needs, you can customize your verbal résumé to ensure that every interaction is relevant, engaging, and impactful. This will make your responses more memorable and more likely to spark meaningful connections.
The Benefit Statement: More Than Just Words
The benefit statement is vital for turning your response to “What do you do?” from a dry listing of job titles into a compelling, value-driven conversation. A benefit statement goes beyond simply explaining your role; it focuses on the results or improvements your work brings to others. It’s about answering the implicit question, “How does what you do make a difference?” In other words, the benefit statement highlights how your work impacts the people you serve.
Take the example of a real estate agent. If they respond to “What do you do?” with a simple, “I’m a real estate agent,” it gives the listener no real understanding of their expertise or the value they offer. However, if the agent says, “I help people moving to the area find the perfect home that suits their needs and lifestyle,” the response immediately paints a picture of how their work benefits others. By focusing on the outcome—the benefit of finding the right home—the real estate agent shows how their services make a tangible difference.
Similarly, a financial planner could enhance their response by saying, “I help individuals create a financial plan that ensures they can live comfortably in retirement, with peace of mind that their investments are working for them.” This statement goes beyond explaining what the planner does and focuses on how their work leads to a desirable outcome—financial security for their clients.
A benefit statement transforms your job description from a list of tasks into a dynamic explanation of how your work contributes to the larger picture. It invites the listener to see the immediate value you bring rather than just the technical aspects of your role.
The Nutshell Résumé for Personal Life
The idea of a “nutshell résumé” isn’t just confined to the professional realm; it can be equally effective in social situations. When you meet new people—whether they’re potential friends, romantic interests, or casual acquaintances—how you present yourself can significantly influence the course of your interactions. In personal conversations, your verbal résumé can highlight the qualities that make you an interesting and engaging person.
When preparing your résumé, consider the unique qualities that make you who you are. These could be your passions, hobbies, or life experiences. Maybe you love hiking and exploring new places or are passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. Instead of simply stating, “I like to travel,” you could say, “I’ve been backpacking through different countries for the past few years, experiencing new cultures and meeting fascinating people along the way.” This paints a more vivid picture of who you are and what drives you.
It’s not about embellishing your life story or making things sound more exciting than they are. It’s about presenting your experiences and passions in a way that highlights the positive aspects of your personality. For example, if you’ve been involved in a creative project, you could talk about it enthusiastically, saying, “I’ve been working on a novel for the past year, and it’s been an amazing journey of self-discovery and storytelling.” Sharing these personal insights makes you seem more interesting and relatable.
Your résumé should be designed to spark curiosity and make others want to know more about you. By highlighting your values, experiences, and passions, you open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections. This approach makes you not just another face in the crowd but someone with a rich, engaging story to share.
The Nutshell Résumé: A Story in Every Answer
The power of the “nutshell résumé” lies in its ability to turn a simple question into an opportunity to share your story. When asked, “What do you do?” or similar questions, your response can be framed as a mini-story—an engaging narrative that communicates who you are, what you do, and why it matters. The key to crafting a successful nutshell résumé is to focus on the human element of your job or personal life.
Each time you respond to this question, think of it as a chance to share your narrative in a way that resonates with the person you’re speaking to. Whether describing a professional accomplishment, a personal passion, or a unique life experience, framing your answer as a story creates a memorable interaction. This can also help you stand out in networking events, where many people might offer generic answers. A personalized, story-driven response will make you more memorable and engaging.
By crafting different versions of your verbal résumé for various situations, you ensure that your responses remain relevant and interesting. These stock answers should be true to your experience but adaptable depending on the context. This approach allows you to maintain consistency in how you present yourself while also tailoring your message to suit the listener’s interests.
Every time you answer the “What do you do?” question, you’re telling a small story about who you are. With a well-crafted, thoughtful response, you inform others about your professional or personal background and create an opportunity for a deeper connection.
Conclusion
Mastering your verbal résumé is essential for making meaningful connections professionally and personally. By tailoring your response to the person you’re speaking with, you highlight the value you offer and make yourself memorable. Just as a well-crafted résumé can open doors in your career, a thoughtful verbal résumé can unlock new opportunities, foster deeper relationships, and leave a lasting impression. Take the time to personalize your answer, think strategically about the benefits you provide, and you’ll find that every interaction becomes an opportunity to showcase your unique strengths.
This article is part of the How to Talk to Anyone Series based on Leil Lowndes’ book.