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