"So what do you do?"

Photo by Sweet Life on Unsplash

I really enjoy meeting new people.

If I’m surfing and chatting with regulars, attending social groups, or going to Long Angle happy hours, it’s fun to learn what people are up to. Whether it’s politics, business shares, or just shooting the shit, I feel it’s one of the methods I use to stay sharp.

When these conversations with newer friends go a bit deeper than surface level, the question “So what do you do?” always comes up.

I try to avoid work-related questions as long as possible so we don’t get to that question.

My response tends to be tailored to the conversation. As in, if they’ve sold a business too or are in private equity, I can be transparent right away. Love it! But usually, that’s not the case, and I’m cagey.

Not that “What do you do?” is a crazy question. It’s just that responding with the truth of, “retired” or “sorta work for a PE firm who bought us” sounds ridiculous for someone in their 30s. It also creates more questions I don’t want to get into regarding the exit and such.

I’m trying different responses, though:

• “I’m in tech” - Works well but can create more questions around what company, etc

• “Work at a software company” - Not bad, but similar result as “I’m in tech”

• “I run a small software company” - Seems to work well. No further questions generally, maybe it’s the word “small” turns people off.

The problem is if someone starts to curiously ask further questions, “Oh really, how many people work there? What’s your role? How’s the business?”, my responses tend to go down a sorta truth/lie after sorta truth/lie rabbit hole.

If a friendship starts to form, though, I’ll share a bit more, saying, “Well, I had a company, but it was bought. It was a small thing, though. I’m looking at new ideas.”

Sorta truth/lie, sorta truth/lie still, but that feels a bit better.

I’m curious, what do you say? Respond in a comment below!