I really love getting this question. I'm pretty young so I've only had a couple jobs and am now a student, but answers I've given to this: - "I keep our analy

I really love getting this question. I'm pretty young so I've only had a couple jobs and am now a student, but answers I've given to this: - "I keep our analysts from investing in evil companies by making sure all the info from NGOs/ratings are at their fingertips. When they're gonna buy evil, the screen turns RED." Go on to say why it's awesome because investing in The Good actually gives decent returns, etc. - "I build a crazy anime fusion of Facebook and Zelda on cellphones for Japanese kids." Go on to explain why it's awesome because you make tools for these kids and they go nuts building themselves characters and really it's all a way for shy people to meet each other in a culture that makes it hard. - "I'm trying to figure out what the cells in your brain say to each other, and how we can talk to them." Whip out iPhone to show picture of Brainbow mouse. Talk about the guys curing blindness with CCD cameras and electrodes. (And try not to burst out laughing when they start talking about The Secret or how they can control the future because of -gasp!- Quantum Physics) The point is that ... if you really like what you're doing, it's because there's something cool about it. And probably not just a little cool, but seriously, deeply cool. If you believe in it (and don't feel bored by the question) then that'll come across, and people will be genuinely interested. Also - I try to make up a slightly new variation of the answer every time. It's a fun game for me, and it keeps me from looking/feeling like I'm giving out a canned line.