This Thanksgiving, explain what you do without losing your sanity.

Thanksgiving is almost here, and you know what that means: food, family, and that cousin who thinks “personal branding” is posting stock photos with motivational quotes about grit. Before they hijack the conversation with their “exciting passive income opportunity,” they just discovered in TikTok, let’s make sure you’re ready to reclaim your professional dignity without losing your mind.

Because we all know what’s coming. After the same old family stories have made the rounds, someone will inevitably hit you with the question: "So, remind me, what do you do for work again? Something with computers, right?"

This year, you’ll have the perfect answer. Let’s dive in.

Here’s how to explain your job in ways the family can digest without confusing you with someone who "works with computers" or "does something online."

Step 1: Set the record straight on "Working with computers"

If your job involves:

• Sending emails, using Slack
• Logging into Confluence, Jira, etc.
• Using a keyboard

Congratulations, you work with computers! But let's add some nuance before aunt Clara continues to believe you’re an IT wizard who can fix her Windows 7 PC. Instead, try this:

"I work with computers in the sense that everyone else does, but I actually [ here, describe your job in ONE sentence your 8-year-old niece would understand ]. For example, 'I create websites that help companies sell more shoes.' Easy, right?"

Step 2: Differentiate yourself from the Pyramid Scheme cousin

Your cousin, yes THAT one you are thinking about, will inevitably try to hijack the dinner conversation with, "I’m a marketing consultant for [insert random essential oil brand here]." Be proactive, here is your battle card on what to say:

• If you’re in actual Marketing: "I help businesses grow by figuring out how to reach the right people using cool data tools."

• If you’re in Sales: "I negotiate deals and solve problems to help companies succeed. It’s like Shark Tank, but with less shouting."
• If you’re in Tech: "I make systems smarter so businesses run smoother. No, I can’t hack your ex’s Facebook."
• If you are a Product Manager: "I decide what features we build next. It's like planning Thanksgiving dinner—less stuffing, more strategy."
• If you are a test automation engineer: "I create tests that ensure software is good. Think of me as the one who checks if the turkey is actually cooked before serving."
• If you are a VP of Marketing: "I lead the team that tells the world about our products. It's like organizing the guest list but with data instead of family drama."
• If you are a CMO: "I oversee all our marketing efforts. Imagine hosting Thanksgiving for millions—planning, coordinating, and making sure everyone leaves happy."
• If you are a Solutions Engineer:"I help clients solve problems with our tech. It's like bringing the perfect dish for someone's special diet."

The list goes on but you get it, right? this positions you as a competent professional without using words like "synergy" or "framework," which they’ll assume are essential oil scents anyways.

Step 3: Translate corporate buzzwords into “Family Language”

Let’s be real—your day job might involve more "cross-functional synergies" and "leveraging verticals" than you’d like to admit. But your uncle doesn’t need to hear all that. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for translating corporate jargon into Thanksgiving-speak:

• "Scaling a solution" → "Helping a small thing become a big thing."

• "KPIs" → "Goals I have to hit so I don’t get fired."
• "Stakeholder alignment" → "Making sure everyone agrees so we don’t argue all day—unlike us at Thanksgiving."
• "Leveraging synergies" → "Figuring out how to work together without stepping on each other’s toes."
• "Optimizing workflows" → "Making sure we don’t waste time doing dumb stuff."
• "Market penetration" → "Convincing more people to buy our stuff."
• "Thought leadership" → "Writing smart-sounding things to prove we know what we’re talking about."
• "Bandwidth" → "Whether or not I have the energy to deal with nonsense."
• "Cross-functional collaboration" → "Getting people from different teams to stop fighting and actually work together."
• "Change management" → "Convincing everyone that new things aren’t scary."
• "Deliverables" → "Stuff I have to finish...and you know...deliver"
• "Customer-centric approach" → "Making people understand we care about their problems."
• "Value proposition" → "Why our stuff is better than everyone else’s stuff."

The list is long, but this should get you going...

Step 4: Set boundaries for tech support questions

THIS. WILL. HAPPEN. If you’re remotely tech-adjacent, you’ll be asked for help with the family printer, router, scanner, or all of the above. Be ready:

• "I’d love to help, but I specialize in [specific area]. It’s like asking a dentist to build a house.”
• If they insist, simply agree on a consulting fee of your choice. 

Step 5: Embrace your inner professional

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey—it’s a chance to show your family (and yourself) that you’re thriving. Skip the modesty and own your achievements (without the use of PowerPoint, please!). Share a project you’re proud of, explain how you’ve grown professionally, or talk about something exciting on the horizon. Keep it relatable, but don’t hold back.

This Thanksgiving, let’s all commit to explaining our jobs just enough to avoid confusion—but not so much that aunt Carol asks if "ChatGPT is taking over your industry." 

And hey, if all else fails, just say, "I work with computers," and pass the gravy.