I have become quite a fan of the 'What do you do?' question when outside of work. They ask it, and you say something about being in consulting and they respond with something like 'Yes, but what do you actually do?' Not wishing to sound arrogant I was lucky enough to be asked to write a file on it for a consulting firm during my first month in the consulting industry. It seems ages ago now. Some of the other consultants voiced up ideas for it, and I used my secondary research from getting into the industry as a basis. It was simply a matter of enjoying the banter, typing up the serious ideas and the best answer seemed to rise to the top.'Where do you work?' I find more difficult.Many people dont let you answer the question anyway. They want to know 'Who do you work for?'Others dont know if you are at a client site and its not a famous area. Even if it is they often still dont look like they like the response (I've moved firms so its not about a particular place). They often seem to want to revert to a who? question.I dont particularly wish to give away client sites , or employer locations, to just anyone at a party. So I feel a bit evasive in my responses. Any advice on the best way to answer this question?

Just tell them you're a stockbroker by day and a hip hop DJ by night.Or alternatively, tell them you don't date gold diggers. If it's a networking event, just tell them what you do. If they want to know the name of the company you work for, why not just tell them. If they're too thick to realise that not everybody works for companies that are household names, then I doubt they're potential client material anyway.

"I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you"