What do you do?
Occupation inquiry
Literalmente: What (action) do you (subject) do (verb)?
Use this to politely ask someone about their job during small talk or networking.
En 15 segundos
- Used to ask someone about their job or career.
- Short for 'What do you do for a living?'
- The most common small talk question for new acquaintances.
Significado
This is the most common way to ask someone about their job or career. It is not asking what they are doing right now, but how they earn a living.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Meeting someone at a party
It's nice to meet you, Sarah! So, what do you do?
It's nice to meet you, Sarah! So, what is your job?
Networking event
I see you're with Google. What do you do there?
I see you're with Google. What is your role there?
Texting a new match on a dating app
Your profile looks cool! What do you do for a living?
Your profile looks cool! What is your career?
Contexto cultural
In the United States and the UK, your job is often the first thing people want to know about you. This phrase became the standard social 'handshake' during the industrial age when professions defined social circles. Today, it remains the most common way to start a conversation with a stranger.
The 'Student' Answer
If you don't have a job because you are studying, just say `I'm a student` or `I'm studying engineering`. It’s a perfectly valid answer!
Don't confuse with 'How do you do?'
`How do you do?` is an old-fashioned way to say 'Hello'. It has nothing to do with your job. Stick to `What do you do?` for work.
En 15 segundos
- Used to ask someone about their job or career.
- Short for 'What do you do for a living?'
- The most common small talk question for new acquaintances.
What It Means
When someone asks What do you do?, they want to know your job. It is a shortcut for What is your occupation?. It covers your career, your business, or your studies. If you are a student, you can answer with your major. If you are retired, you mention your former career. It is the ultimate icebreaker in English-speaking cultures.
How To Use It
Use this phrase after the initial Hello and How are you?. It usually comes early in a conversation with a new person. You can answer simply: I am a teacher or I work in marketing. Don't just give a one-word answer. Add a little detail to keep the conversation flowing. For example, I'm a designer; I mostly work on mobile apps. It makes you sound much more friendly!
When To Use It
Use it at parties, networking events, or weddings. It is perfect for when you meet a friend's partner for the first time. Use it when you are sitting next to a stranger on a plane. It helps you find common ground with others. It is the standard question for small talk in the US and UK.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you see someone currently doing something. If they are washing dishes, don't ask What do you do?. In that case, ask What are you doing?. Avoid asking this if someone just told you they are stressed about money. It might feel a bit insensitive then. Also, don't ask it repeatedly to the same person. They might think you weren't listening the first time!
Cultural Background
In many Western cultures, identity is closely tied to work. People often define themselves by their careers. Because of this, What do you do? is considered a polite interest in someone's life. In some other cultures, asking about work immediately can feel too private or greedy. In English, however, it is just a way to be social. It’s like asking What’s your story? but focused on your daily contribution to the world.
Common Variations
What do you do for a living?(A bit more specific)What line of work are you in?(Slightly more professional)What keeps you busy these days?(Good if they might be unemployed or retired)What do you do for fun?(The opposite—asking about hobbies!)
Notas de uso
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost any social or professional setting. Just ensure you don't confuse it with the present continuous 'What are you doing?'.
The 'Student' Answer
If you don't have a job because you are studying, just say `I'm a student` or `I'm studying engineering`. It’s a perfectly valid answer!
Don't confuse with 'How do you do?'
`How do you do?` is an old-fashioned way to say 'Hello'. It has nothing to do with your job. Stick to `What do you do?` for work.
The 'Living' Secret
In the US, people often add `for a living` to the end. It sounds slightly more natural and avoids any confusion with what you are doing at that exact moment.
Ejemplos
6It's nice to meet you, Sarah! So, what do you do?
It's nice to meet you, Sarah! So, what is your job?
Standard icebreaker after introductions.
I see you're with Google. What do you do there?
I see you're with Google. What is your role there?
Used to ask for a specific job title within a company.
Your profile looks cool! What do you do for a living?
Your profile looks cool! What is your career?
Adding 'for a living' makes it very clear you mean work.
Person A: 'What do you do?' Person B: 'I'm eating a sandwich.' Person A: 'No, I mean for work!'
Person A: 'What is your job?' Person B: 'I am eating.' Person A: 'No, your career!'
Shows the difference between 'doing now' and 'career'.
I haven't seen you in years! What do you do these days?
I haven't seen you in years! What is your current job?
Adding 'these days' acknowledges that things might have changed.
Before we start the technical part, tell me, what do you do in your current role?
Before we start, what are your current responsibilities?
Focuses on daily tasks at work.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct phrase to ask about someone's career.
Nice to meet you! ___, if you don't mind me asking?
`What do you do?` asks about a job, while `What are you doing?` asks about a current action.
Complete the response to the question 'What do you do?'
A: What do you do? B: I ___ a nurse at the local hospital.
We use the verb `to be` (am/is/are) followed by a job title to answer this question.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'What do you do?'
Used with friends or peers.
So, what do you do?
Standard for most social situations.
What do you do for a living?
Professional or stiff settings.
What is your profession?
When to ask 'What do you do?'
Cocktail Party
Meeting a friend of a friend.
LinkedIn Message
Connecting with a professional.
First Date
Learning about your partner.
Plane Ride
Chatting with the person next to you.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, that would be What are you doing?. What do you do? always refers to your general occupation or career.
In the US and UK, it is not rude at all. It is actually seen as a sign of interest in the other person's life.
You can say I'm between jobs right now or I'm looking for work in marketing. It sounds positive and professional.
Yes, but usually it's better to ask What is your role at [Company]? if you already know where they work.
What's your job? is a bit more direct and blunt. What do you do? feels more conversational and open-ended.
No, if you want to ask about hobbies, you must say What do you do for fun? or What do you do in your free time?.
No, What do you work? is grammatically incorrect in English. You should always use What do you do? or Where do you work?.
It is better to ask What did you do? (past tense) or What was your career? if you know they are retired.
You can say I wear a few hats! and then list them, like I'm a writer and I also teach yoga.
Yes, it is very common in early stages of getting to know someone over text or dating apps.
Frases relacionadas
What do you do for a living?
A slightly more specific version of the same question.
What's your line of work?
Asking about the general industry someone works in.
What keeps you busy?
A casual way to ask about work or life activities.
Where are you based?
Asking where someone's office or home is located.
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