Does everyone dread answering 'what do you do?' questions when purpose searching?

Many people find themselves uncomfortable with the 'what do you do?' question, especially during periods of career transition or when they feel their current role doesn't fully represent their aspirations. This discomfort often stems from the societal pressure to have a clear, impressive career path, even when individuals are actively exploring new directions. It's a common experience to feel a disconnect between your present circumstances and your desired future when asked about your profession.

A 2022 survey by LinkedIn found that nearly 60% of professionals felt a significant amount of pressure to have a clear career path, contributing to discomfort when discussing their work.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who dreads answering 'what do you do?' questions when searching for purpose?

Am I the Only One?

Is it normal to dread answering 'What do you do?' questions?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to dread answering 'what do you do?' when you're still figuring things out?

Is It Weird?

Why do I dread answering 'what do you do?' questions?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I'm 22, live in a shoebox, and sling coffee while everyone expects me to, like, PICK A LANE and I just—I mean I don't even—what the actual fuck are we even doing here, humans?

purpose searching

ugh like i'm just so tired of drawing logos for banks. …

purpose searching

This is stupid but— standing on the balcony, looking at the city lights after closing that last deal, the net worth… it just felt like a terminal cessation of desire, a strange anhedonia I wasn't… …

purpose searching

I've been parked here at this rest stop off I-80 for nearly an hour, engine off, just watching the semis roll in and out. …

purpose searching

I just— I don't know, I'm sitting here, it's like 2 AM and I'm supposed to be asleep because I have that big client meeting tomorrow, you know, the one for the new luxury watch line, and I just can't… …

purpose searching

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I answer 'what do you do?' when I'm between jobs?▾
Focus on your current activities and future aspirations. You might say, 'I'm currently exploring new opportunities in [field] and spending time developing skills in [area].' or 'I'm taking a period to re-evaluate my career path and am excited about [new direction].'
Why does the 'what do you do?' question feel so high-stakes?▾
The question often feels high-stakes because it's perceived as a primary way people categorize and understand each other. There's an underlying societal expectation that your 'doing' defines a significant part of your identity, which can create pressure to present a polished, successful image.
What are good alternative questions to ask instead of 'what do you do?'▾
Consider asking about interests, passions, or current projects. Questions like 'What's been keeping you busy lately?' 'What are you passionate about?' or 'What exciting things are you working on?' can open up more engaging conversations.

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