What is your job? and What do you do?

[mrmvp]

Are what do you do and what is your job interchangeable?


I think they are similar ,but I guess there is a slight difference. I believe what's your job? is broader than what do you do? Please correct me If I am mistaken


Read the following conversation

A. what's your job?

B. I'm a sales rep

A. What do you do? ( I guess what is your job doesn't fit here)

B. I meet customers and sell products.

 

[emsr2d2]

Are "What do you do?" and "What is your job?" interchangeable?

I think they are similar no comma here but I guess there is a slight difference. I believe "What's your job?" is broader than "What do you do?" Please correct me if I am mistaken.

Read the following Here is an example conversation dialogue:

A. What's your job?
B. I'm a sales rep.
A. What do you do? (I guess "What is your job?" doesn't fit here.)
B. I meet customers and sell products.

Please note my corrections above.

In most conversations, the context would make it clear if "What do you do?" is intended to mean "What is your job?" However, as you have correctly indicated in the example dialogue, "What do you do?" as a follow-up question clearly means "As part of your job as a sales rep, what do you do?"

I disagree with your assertion that "What's your job?" is broader than "What do you do?" It's actually a narrower, more specific question.

 

[SoothingDave]

"What do you do?" is broader.

Everybody does something. Not everyone has a job.

 

[Tarheel]

Read the following conversation

A. what's your job?
B. I'm a sales rep
A. What do you do?
B. I meet customers and sell products.

The opening sentence indicates it is one conversation. Otherwise, space between the conversations.

As a follow up question, "What do you do?" seeks to narrow things down. Otherwise, it's a broader question, as previously indicated.