Today's topic - responding to, "So, (insert your name here) what do you like to do?" This question can also be phrased as: "So (your name here) what are your biggest strengths?"
Today's warning - I don't really have an answer to this. That's why this is called a "workshop" post.
These questions are very common in the business realm - when you're meeting new people in a networking scenario, when you're pitching a new client, or when you're doing a job interview. Commonly asked, but often flubbed.
I have been a flubber. For some reason, my brain refuses to take these questions seriously. My brain immediately leads me into thinking of"what I like to do" in terms of "turn ons and turn offs" which is definitely NOT the direction you'll want to go when answering these questions. You must stop your brain from leading you astray.
Where do you want to go with your answer? Well, I think it's all about telling the person what they want to hear. Yup, that's right. If you are trying to make an impression that sticks and endears you to the question-asker... you're going to need to tailor "what you like to do" to "what your audience cares about." Now, most people care about themselves, so if you can put yourself into the context of them - that should work like a charm.
Workshop Exercise:
So Christine, what do you like to do best (professional context)?
Brain says:
play with my dogs
travel
drink wine
outdoorsy things
What happens if you say this?
Other party steps away slowly and realizes you have no concept of where you are.
Strategic part of brain steps in:
(Bob is a potential client.) Well Bob, I'm really interested in online best practices and project management. That's why I'm very excited to bid on your (website that sells stuff online) project. You know, it's a great source of pride for me to bring a client a cutting-edge, stable, and scalable site and come in on time and on budget. Working as a consultant, I manage a lot of different types of projects, but ones like this, with so many complex moving parts, these are the real challenges and you can really see your work in action when you're done. Then, I'd start talking about his project some more.
Pretend Bob is a conference attendee that I'm "networking" with. I want him to remember that I do interactive consulting:
Oh, I'm so glad you asked. You're over at (some tech company) right? Right, so when you guys have a project - like your recent blogs project, would you do that in house? Then I'd try to align what I do with someone he knows at his company - or someone else that does a similar job that he knows.
I think this will work.
Ok so really quickly - the flip side .
I think it's vital that when people ask you what you don't like to do, or what your weaknesses are, that you tell them something and that something is pertinent and honest.
So when people ask me in a professional context - what are my weaknesses - I'll tell them. But... I'm not telling you. :)
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