So why do you want to work for us? Mainly because you’re hot.

Usually one of the first questions you get asked in an interview and arguably one of the easiest. After all, if you can’t articulate why you want to work for a particular company then you probably shouldn’t have applied for the job and you definitely shouldn’t have agreed to interview.

 

I’m continually surprised by how many job seekers aren’t able to talk about why they’re interested in a particular company beyond superficial characteristics and instead respond with something along the lines of “Well, you’re a big company and you’re located in (insert city or state here).”

 

I’ve mentioned this before, but telling an interviewer you’re interested in the company because they’re big or because they just happen to be in a certain city is like telling someone you want to go out with them because “they’re hot.” I’m sure that works for some people, but I’m pretty sure most people want to know that you “get them” and what they’re about. And for interviewers, one of the best ways to figure out whether or not you get them is by how you respond to the “why us?” question.

 

As you consider companies you’d like to work for, ask yourself what it is about them that initially attracted you. Was it something you read about in the news? A great experience you had as a customer? Something you read on their company website? The interviewer isn’t expecting a 15-part answer, just something more than the fact that they’re located three blocks from your house.

Why career fairs and resumes don’t always mix

You put on your best suit, shine your dress shoes, print off copies of your resume on fancy resume paper and make your way to a career fair. You’re excited that you’re going to have a chance to talk to representatives from a few different companies that you’re really interested in.

 

You arrive at the first career fair booth, nail your elevator speech and reach into your padfolio to grab a copy of your resume but before you have a chance to hand it to him, you’re stopped dead in your tracks.  “We’re not accepting resumes. It’s best if you apply through our website.” What? As a job seeker, that can be incredibly frustrating. As one job seeker I spoke with recently put it, “If I’d known that, I could have applied from the comfort of my own home without having to get all dressed up.” His frustration revolved around two common questions.

 

“Why do companies even go to a career fair if they’re not going to accept resumes?” Part of the reason more companies are pushing applicants to their website is because they have to document anyone who submits a resume as “an applicant.” The easiest way to do that is to push all candidates to their online application.

 

“If they’re not going to accept resumes, what’s the point of going to the fair?” First, you never know beforehand which companies will accept your resume on the spot and which ones are going to push you to their site. Don’t get discouraged if they’re not accepting resumes. You’re still getting a chance to learn more about the company and make a connection that could help you get your foot in the door at some point down the road. Companies usually attend career fairs because they’re looking to hire candidates. So, although not ideal, it’s still better to go than to stay home and just apply through their site.

 

I know it’s definitely frustrating to go to a career fair and not be able to submit your resume to a recruiter but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Just realize that you’re going primarily to 1) have a chance to interact with someone from the company (a great way to assess fit) and to 2) make a personal connection with a recruiter that could help you down the road.