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I've always been told that your reasoning for wanting a job should be something like "I want to work for your company because it offers X opportunity and will allow me to grow professionally". What's the best way of explaining the things below when applying for new jobs without coming right out and saying it?
- I currently commute over an hour to work. Your company is significantly closer to my home.
- I live far from family. Your company is closer to family.
- I live in Northern Minnesota. Your company is in a warm climate in Florida.
- I live in a small town and want to move to a big city. Your company is in a big city
I generally research the company and find specific things I like about the company to bring up first, then describe what I find interesting about the position, and finally talk about how I think I’d be a good fit for it. The points you brought up aren’t something I would personally say to answer about why I want the job. Generally, companies asked me my thoughts on relocating and the location of the place.
If it's a reputable company I say because I want to work for the biggest and best. Then I also am honest and say it's also about the people and the position and point out what you like. If you really want to sound good act like you are evaluating them at the interview. Convey how you want to make sure their people and culture are right for you, and that you like what you see so far. That type of confidence and honesty will make you shine.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lepoisson
I've always been told that your reasoning for wanting a job should be something like "I want to work for your company because it offers X opportunity and will allow me to grow professionally". What's the best way of explaining the things below when applying for new jobs without coming right out and saying it?
- I currently commute over an hour to work. Your company is significantly closer to my home.
- I live far from family. Your company is closer to family.
- I live in Northern Minnesota. Your company is in a warm climate in Florida.
- I live in a small town and want to move to a big city. Your company is in a big city
None of these would provide any motivation for a manager to hire you. While they are all positives to you as the applicant, to the employer it says "you happen to be in a convenient location." When applying from another city/state, you do need to assure them that you are serious about moving there, but you want the job because you want to work there. Even saying that it "offers X opportunity and will allow me to grow professionally" by itself is not enough. As a representative of the company the hiring manager is looking for someone that will work hard and stay there. I would suggest stating that once you decided to move to XXXXX you spent a lot of time researching companies that did your kind of work, then expand in detail on the reasons that their company came out as your first choice. Giving actual data and specifics of their history, financial status, growth etc. shows that you really did do the homework and have good reasons for wanting to work there, not just get any job in that new city.
These questions drive me nuts because very few people have a burning desire for the very specific position they are applying for. They like the pay, location, hours, or something, but rarely the exact job or company. Having to come up with some BS about how we like doing data analysis or how we like their vision statement is tiring and downright obnoxious.
These questions drive me nuts because very few people have a burning desire for the very specific position they are applying for. They like the pay, location, hours, or something, but rarely the exact job or company. Having to come up with some BS about how we like doing data analysis or how we like their vision statement is tiring and downright obnoxious.
Interviewing as a whole is just a giant BS contest.
I've always been told that your reasoning for wanting a job should be something like "I want to work for your company because it offers X opportunity and will allow me to grow professionally".
I would never tell an employer how it benefits me. You should be telling the employer how it will benefit THEM.
"I have the skills you need to help you manage your current accounts and bring in new business."
I would never tell an employer how it benefits me. You should be telling the employer how it will benefit THEM.
"I have the skills you need to help you manage your current accounts and bring in new business."
That's not really answering the question of why you want the job, but is still a good point.
Last edited by Berteau; 10-12-2017 at 12:19 PM..
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