As many of you aim your college experience and accomplishments at getting a job, we often forget to answer the title’s question: Why should you get the job? It’s an important question that you should answer from your perspective and expect from the employer’s. Perhaps some of you know exactly why you should get it and have been pursuing the job for sometime. Others may still be exploring various paths. Of course many of you will be happy to get any job out of college, and understandably so. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to feel enthusiastic about the position and the company before applying. So ask yourself why you feel you should get the job, and if you do not have a good answer then you may need to do some soul searching. The following are some tips on how to do just that.
To begin with, you should consider the position. What are its functions? Consider how those functions relate to who you are as a person, to what you are good at. Are you detail oriented? Good with people? More talkative than others? Analytical or more of a poet? Consider your strengths, your personality, and what you enjoy doing in relation to the job. In doing so, you will build more confidence throughout the application process.
Next, you should know why you are applying to work with that company. Whether it is local startup company or a multinational corporation, you should be able to tell yourself why you chose that particular company beyond just money and security. What is it about that company you respect and think is important, is it their history, present, and/or future? It better be more than just their wealth and power. You should show agreement on a deeper level. Do you agree with the company, with its mission?
In summary, research the company, the position, and others like it. But most importantly, research yourself. Who are you? What are you talented at more so than your friends and family members? The only person that knows these talents most in depth is you! Be proactive in as deep a way as possible. Avoid being completely reactionary to the employment process because as the famous American football coach Vince Lombardi told his team, “If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”