| To set yourself apart from the crowd, cast your | | | | strangers who ask that he is "giving credit where |
| profession in its most ennobling light & focus on the | | | | credit is due." A commercial airline pilot informs |
| benefits of your work as they accrue to others. | | | | people who ask that she is shrinking the globe to |
| Here’s How. "What do you do?" In our | | | | reunite families and loved ones. A midwife |
| society this is the first question we’re asked, | | | | proudly proclaims that she is bringing new life into |
| after "What is your name?" The real question is: | | | | this world. In each case these professionals are |
| How do you answer this question? Do you | | | | sharing some of the magic of their profession with |
| tell people your title: clerk, programmer, driver, | | | | their listeners. And listeners respond accordingly. |
| teacher, sales rep or receptionist or do you | | | | It’s a powerful conversation opener, whether |
| answer more descriptively? Too many people | | | | in a networking event, a job interview or just during |
| respond to this question with a bland, unimaginative | | | | casual conversation Whatever your profession, you |
| job title or standard industry classification (SIC) code. | | | | can create a "tag" line to showcase the results of |
| B-O-R-I-N-G! To set yourself apart from the crowd, | | | | your work and cast it in an ennobling light. Here are |
| cast your profession in its most ennobling light and | | | | some more examples to stimulate your creative |
| focus on the benefits of your work as they accrue | | | | juices: The Internal Revenue Service agent who |
| to others! Consider Ruth Blumert Walker, longtime | | | | tells people who ask that he's a "government |
| receptionist for the Oakland, California law firm of | | | | fundraiser. The Gardener tells people "I Turn |
| DONAHUE, GALLAGHER, WOODS AND WOOD. | | | | the World Green. . .one garden at a time." The |
| When asked her occupation, Blumert proudly | | | | Dietitian says "I Teach People How to Behave in |
| proclaims I’m the Director of First | | | | Front of Food." The Voice Coach who proclaims |
| Impressions." Indeed she is! Walker knows that | | | | she "Gives Voice to the Timid." The Telephone |
| people dread going to a law firm. They're usually | | | | Customer Service Representative (CSR) who tells |
| there because of a problem and their visit is costly to | | | | people she "has a special calling. The |
| boot. Walker understands the key role she plays in | | | | Plantronics headset saleswoman who says she helps |
| their experience, and her moniker showcases the | | | | people "Use their head
not their hands. " The |
| power she possesses to make a difference. Why | | | | photographer who Gets paid to shoot people for |
| not replace your official title or occupation with a | | | | a living. The executive assistant who calls |
| more descriptive tag line? An effective "tag line" | | | | herself the Presidential Gatekeeper And |
| casts your skills in an ennobling light, sharing pride in | | | | even the motivational speaker, Craig Harrison, who |
| your chosen profession. People respond | | | | tells people he's "a motivational magician who turns |
| affirmatively when you tantalize and enthrall them | | | | aspirations into achievements." It's your turn! Look |
| with an interesting or compelling tag line. Furthermore, | | | | anew at your occupation or profession and identify |
| you’re sending a message you have a strong | | | | its outcome or the effect its commission has on |
| sense of who you are and what you do and are thus | | | | people. Now create a descriptive tag line to excite |
| deemed more employable. Consider the | | | | others about what you do, and what it can do for |
| following: The residential realtor who describes | | | | them! Use the power of language to create a |
| herself as "putting people into their dream home." | | | | compelling tag line that gives you pride and infuses |
| What a powerful statement she is making. The | | | | others with excitement too. Tag, you're IT! |
| commercial credit specialist who smiles and tells | | | | |
