On our recent trip to New Zealand, I had to fill out a form stating my occupation.
Um, what?!
And that, my friends, is one of the occupational hazards of my new career pathway. I don’t know what to call my job!
For those who haven’t been playing along at home, I was made redundant in October last year. Although a terrible shock at the time, I decided the time was right to start my own business from home.
So what do I do, you ask?
Good question.
I have a computer and I’m not afraid to use it! I’ve managed to bring together my love for my local area and blogging, my previous experiences of writing for and editing magazines and newsletters, my addiction passion for social media, and my skills at building WordPress websites, to create my own business “Redland City Living”.
But how on earth do I streamline all that into one or two words? I’m a great writer and editor, but I’m afraid that is a bit beyond even my capabilities!
Here are some of the “occupations” I considered writing on that form:
- blogger
- writer
- editor
- proofreader
- social media coordinator
- public relations
- website creator
- publisher
- website manager
- journalist
I think I ended up writing “marketing” as I figured that sort of covered all bases …
After much pondering, I decided that I am a “VIRTUAL ASSISTANT”. As in, the Assistant you have when you don’t really have an assistant. I operate virtually – via the internet and email. It’s an industry that is still in its infancy, when you consider that the technology has only been in common use for less than 20 years.
I was quite pleased to have found an answer to that general icebreaker question, “And what do YOU do?”
Until I actually used it and the person I was talking to still looked at me blankly …
I normally write down whatever is the shortest – which happens to be accountant. The others I just mention if someone sounds like they are really interested !!
Have a great weekend !
Me
It’s tricky isn’t it?!
I’ve read several times in networking-type articles that when someone asks you what you do, you reply with something like (in your case) “I am passionate about helping people free up their time to XXX by taking care of their XX”. I always think I’d feel a bit silly if I answered the question like that!
Yeah I’d feel pretty stupid saying that too – & it wouldn’t fit on a form very easily! 😉
Love the photo! Wish I had a pic of the same day – mine is a long love affair/addiction as well – although today I wanted to throw the whole computer out the window lol
I’ve said I’m a blogger a few times now (always tentatively) and at least now I’m not being met with “what’s that?” and a blank stare!
It’s very 90’s hey?! Yes saying you’re a blogger usually gets a funny look or blank stare too …
How ’bout ‘multi-tasking social media entrepeneur’?? I love the photo! Your computer looks a bit like the first one we got. We connected to the internet around the same time too. It was the old dial-up set up. I remember the sounds very clearly and it drove me crazy when it wouldn’t connect!! Min xo
And it was sooooo slow!
Ba ha ha, love the post but I cant get past the picture! It’s gold..a big smile on my dial after a long week. I usually put helicopter pilot on my forms :0)
Ha ha love it!
I must admit I hate writing housewife or homemaker.
Is blogger/writer a job?
Of course it is Sally!
Since becoming a SAHM, I have felt a bit weird about writing that as my occupation ! Better than “housewife” though, isn’t it 🙂
I *did* think for a moment of writing “housewife” on that form! Perish the thought!
Ha ha! I hate these questions too. I guess I would just write writer. Or blogger. Or wrangler of small people. Or….. 😉
Jess when I first read your comment I thought it said ‘STRANGLER’ of small children …. LOL
Janet I feel your pain. When I was on the board of my professional association we ran a survey asking our members what their official job titles were and what they prefer to call themselves. Most people preferred to use ‘technical communications specialist’ because it reflected the huge range of skills they used every day but found that it was usually met with blank looks. ‘Technical writer’ worked for most because people know what a writer is, but it ignored 75% of what we did every day (graphics, web design, workshops, business analysis). I love ‘content wrangler’ but that’s already taken 🙂
What a minefield! Content wrangler sounds awesome …
Love this Janet! I used to be a virtual assistant – for about 4 years! I ran my own VA business and specialised in social media management and marketing. I did love it, but realised I love writing more. Good for you!