As a general rule, that the question of "Why do you want to join [insert organization]?" or "Why do you want to do [insert activity here]?" is best answered by a response that is unique to that organization or activity.
"I want to join a sorority so that I can participate in philanthropic activities and hold leadership positions," would therefore be not be the best answer. At any campus, there are plenty of organizations that would allow someone to hold leadership positions and/or participate in meaningful service. What sets being in a sorority apart from those other organizations to you? That's an unasked question that a good answer would allude to.
Don't try to answer it directly because that would be highly awkward. What would you think of someone who said something along the lines of, "Unlike Philanthropic Club X, being in a sorority would allow me to..."? It'd be very awkward. Don't do that.
Try and bring some finesse to your responses and to bring up unique aspects on both sides (unique aspects of the organization that appeal to you as well as things that stand out about you in a good way).
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Originally Posted by 33girl
Along these lines, I would probably be turned off by a pnm who talked incessantly about "leadership" - that would make me feel like she's just trying to pad her resume. That's my personal opinion, however.
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I agree with you. There's nothing wrong with talking about leadership or having a desire to hold leadership positions, but I don't think this should be the primary stated reason that someone wants to join an organization. And I also don't think it should be that prevalent in recruitment conversation. Leadership aspirations are something that I think are to be kept more personal until someone joins an organization and those opportunities present themselves. Entering an organization by saying, "I want to be a leader here" is just a bad way to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 33girl
And yes, it would be equally annoying if the PNM wanted to start a scrapbooking hour or something within the chapter. You have NO idea if the chapter has tried something or not and if it's succeeded or not, and you have no idea what the chapter needs in general.
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Yes. As a PNM, one is attempting to gain membership into the organization. One is not running for an executive board position at that point. It's presumptuous and rude to attempt to unveil plans of how one would try to improve an organization s/he is not even a member of.
That is basically saying, "I think your organization has faults and this is what you should do." Elizey7, would you like to hear that type of sentiment about an organization that is dear to your heart from a complete stranger? My guess is no. And then that stranger wants to join your organization to "fix" things as s/he sees fit? I'm sure that most people would not take kindly to this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 33girl
Focus on conveying YOUR special talents, let the chapter decide if they're an asset.
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Yes. Your job is to sell yourself. Not your ideas about what improvements the sorority needs. Your future plans for this organization are not applicable in this case. Keep a focus on what you have actually done that makes you an asset to the organization. And if you haven't done enough, get started now. You have a whole two months to get involved in things you can talk about that
show instead of tell.
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