So, what is it that you do?
When asked this question by family, friends, business associates or a barista in a coffee shop, it used to be answered with a quickly calculated, but sloppy response in all honesty.
I was chatting with our Engineering Director and we were discussing this topic just the other day, “what do you say when asked what you do for work?”, I asked. Martin replied, “well, that depends on who I am talking to I guess”.
This is an approach I also take. It’s hard when you’re trying to figure out if the person you’re talking to really understands the complexities behind the internet, or perhaps, in complete contrast they had a hand in designing it!
Its not an easy question to answer if you work in IT, as some of you may know. You risk boring the person to death with an overcomplicated answer about network design or the alternative is mentioning the words internet or comms. At this point you realise your counterpart has assumed you work for BT and starts to log a complaint or that you are trying to sell them a mobile phone – far from ideal.
So, how do we avoid a simple question quickly turning into a diagnostic check of a person’s home broadband?
I have thought about my response to this question, trying to make it a quick answer that would be suitable for all….
“I work for Netwrx, we are an independent IT specialist offering tailored design, implementation and support of Wi-Fi networks for businesses across the UK”
Or
“I provide UK businesses with IT and Wi-Fi solutions, based upon their current and future needs”.
As with everything in IT, this is subject to change (survey and terms and conditions) and flexible dependant on the scenario!
I would be interested to know your response and experience with this question, is it just an “IT thing”?