Think twice before you ask a graduate recruiter, ‘Why should I work for you?’

If you’re ever tempted to ask a potential employer, ‘Why should I work for you?’, hold back and consider if there’s another way of getting the information you want. Graduate recruiters don’t like it when job-hunting students behave like consumers, as if employers are offering a service which might or might not be up to scratch. They tend to think it’s down to you to sell yourself for the job.

There are more tactful ways to find out about the benefits of working for a particular company. For example, you could ask your interviewer, ‘What do you like about working here?’ Make the most of any opportunity to network with employees who are recent graduates.

Find other ways to get the information you want

Make the most of the resources on an employer’s website, too. If you set out to find the information you need for yourself, rather than asking a recruiter to hand it to you on a plate, it’ll come across in your application and interviews.

Recruiters may also take umbrage if you ask if they can beat a salary you’ve been offered elsewhere, so approach with caution. It’s much better to ask about the work of the company or the training on offer.

• Find out more about how to research a graduate employer
• Advice on interview techniques for job-hunting graduates
   

Posted by Alison_TARGETjobs on 1 June 2010

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