What to Say When Someone Asks, “So, What Do You Do?”

It sounds like a simple question, but at a networking event, it can catch people off guard. Too often, the answer turns into a long explanation, an elevator pitch, or something so vague it’s forgotten seconds later.

At Networking Leads, we believe the best answers are clear, human, and conversation-starting.

Here’s how to respond in a way people actually remember.

1. Start With Who You Help

Instead of leading with your job title, start with the people or businesses you serve. This instantly makes your answer relatable and easier to understand.

For example, instead of listing your role, focus on the impact you create.

2. Keep It Simple and Natural

Your response should feel like a sentence you’d say in real life, not something rehearsed. If someone needs clarification, they’ll ask. Clarity always beats complexity.

3. Share the Outcome, Not the Process

People connect with results more than details. Rather than explaining how you do everything, share what changes for the people you work with.

This keeps the conversation flowing instead of turning it into a pitch.

4. Leave Room for Curiosity

A great answer invites a follow-up question. When you don’t say everything at once, it gives the other person a chance to lean in and engage.

Think of your response as an opening, not a closing statement.

5. Match the Energy of the Room

Networking isn’t one-size-fits-all. A casual coffee meetup may call for a relaxed answer, while a workshop or panel might invite something more refined. Being adaptable helps your response feel authentic in any setting.

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Why This Matters

When you can clearly and confidently explain what you do, you show up with ease. And when you show up with ease, people remember you.

At Networking Leads, we create spaces where conversations feel natural, supportive, and valuable, so introductions turn into real relationships.

Ready to practice your introduction in a room built for connection?

Join us on the last Wednesday of every month for our monthly Networking Mornings at Leads Coffeehouse, and experience networking that goes beyond surface-level conversation.