| "What do you do?"
| |
| | people who ask that she is "shrinking the
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| In our society this is the first question
| |
| | globe to reunite families and loved
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| we're asked, after "What is your name?"
| |
| | ones."
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| The real question is: "How do you answer
| |
| | • A midwife proudly proclaims that she
|
| this question?"
| |
| | is "bringing new life into this world."
|
| Do you tell people your title: clerk,
| |
| | In each case these professionals are
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| programmer, driver, teacher, sales rep or
| |
| | sharing some of the magic of their
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| receptionist - or do you answer more
| |
| | profession with their listeners. And
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| descriptively?
| |
| | listeners respond accordingly. It's a
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| Too many people respond to this question
| |
| | powerful conversation opener, whether in
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| with a bland, unimaginative job title or
| |
| | a networking event, a job interview or
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| standard industry classification (SIC)
| |
| | just during casual conversation
|
| code. B-O-R-I-N-G! To set yourself apart
| |
| | Whatever your profession, you can create
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| from the crowd, cast your profession in
| |
| | a "tag" line to showcase the results of
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| its most ennobling light and focus on the
| |
| | your work and cast it in an ennobling
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| benefits of your work as they accrue to
| |
| | light.
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| others!
| |
| | Here are some more examples to stimulate
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| Consider Ruth Blumert Walker, longtime
| |
| | your creative juices:
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| receptionist for the Oakland, California
| |
| | • The Internal Revenue Service agent
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| law firm of DONAHUE, GALLAGHER, WOODS AND
| |
| | who tells people who ask that he's a
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| WOOD. When asked her occupation, Blumert
| |
| | "government fundraiser."
|
| proudly proclaims "I'm the Director of
| |
| | • The Gardener tells people "I Turn the
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| First Impressions." Indeed she is!
| |
| | World Green. . .one garden at a time."
|
| Walker knows that people dread going to a
| |
| | • The Dietitian says "I Teach People
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| law firm. They're usually there because
| |
| | How to Behave in Front of Food."
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| of a problem and their visit is costly to
| |
| | • The Voice Coach who proclaims she
|
| boot. Walker understands the key role she
| |
| | "Gives Voice to the Timid."
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| plays in their experience, and her
| |
| | • The Telephone Customer Service
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| moniker showcases the power she possesses
| |
| | Representative (CSR) who tells people she
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| to make a difference.
| |
| | "has a special calling."
|
| Why not replace your official title or
| |
| | • The Plantronics headset saleswoman
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| occupation with a more descriptive tag
| |
| | who says she helps people "Use their
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| line? An effective "tag line" casts your
| |
| | head… not their hands. "
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| skills in an ennobling light, sharing
| |
| | • The photographer who "Gets paid to
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| pride in your chosen profession. People
| |
| | shoot people for a living."
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| respond affirmatively when you tantalize
| |
| | • The executive assistant who calls
|
| and enthrall them with an interesting or
| |
| | herself the "Presidential Gatekeeper"
|
| compelling tag line. Furthermore, you're
| |
| | • And even the motivational speaker,
|
| sending a message you have a strong sense
| |
| | Craig Harrison, who tells people he's "a
|
| of who you are and what you do and are
| |
| | motivational magician who turns
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| thus deemed more employable.
| |
| | aspirations into achievements."
|
| Consider the following:
| |
| | It's your turn! Look anew at your
|
| • The residential realtor who describes
| |
| | occupation or profession and identify its
|
| herself as "putting people into their
| |
| | outcome or the effect its commission has
|
| dream home." What a powerful statement
| |
| | on people. Now create a descriptive tag
|
| she is making.
| |
| | line to excite others about what you do,
|
| • The commercial credit specialist who
| |
| | and what it can do for them!
|
| smiles and tells strangers who ask that
| |
| | Use the power of language to create a
|
| he is "giving credit where credit is
| |
| | compelling tag line that gives you pride
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| due."
| |
| | and infuses others with excitement too.
|
| • A commercial airline pilot informs
| |
| | Tag, you're IT!
|
