Why showing enthusiasm isn’t desperate — It’s smart
Let’s talk about a common piece of advice that needs some serious rethinking:
Hi there,
Let’s talk about a common piece of advice that needs some serious rethinking:
“If you show too much excitement during interviews, it’ll make you look desperate.”
False.
Showing real enthusiasm for a job gives you more power in negotiations, not less.
Why being excited isn’t desperate—it’s strategic
In reality, genuine enthusiasm in interviews and negotiations helps your chances. Excitement doesn’t weaken your leverage; it strengthens it. Here’s why:
It shows you’ll be an asset to the team: Employers aren’t just looking for skills—they want someone ready to crush it in their job. Enthusiasm shows you'll be pleasant to work with and thus a good team fit.
Will boost your chances of receiving the offer: We've been on the hiring end of interviews and would almost always score higher the almost-perfect, excited candidates over the perfect (on paper), lukewarm candidates. The former demonstrated that they could be coachable and motivated to improve themselves in the job.
Will boost your chances of getting better offers: If employers see that you're all-in on the role, they’re more likely to go the extra mile to make it work for you. From a recruiter's perspective, why not give concessions and sweeten the pot for a candidate who seems likely to accept?
How to show excitement the right way:
Get specific:
Instead of a vague “I’m excited for this role,” explain why.
Try something like, “The company's focus on innovation really resonates with me because of my background in [your expertise/past experience where you leveraged innovation to accomplish a work project].”Stay professional:
Enthusiasm ≠ over-the-top gushing. Keep it warm but polished.Connect it to your value:
Pair your excitement with confidence in what you bring: “I’m excited to use my skills in [X] to help you achieve [Y].”
Companies want people who want them.
Enthusiasm isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that makes employers want to say yes—because, at the end of the day, hiring managers want someone who’s excited to come on board.
And most importantly, the team is more likely to advocate for a higher compensation package if they know you're genuinely excited to join if the compensation were better.
Still worried about striking the perfect tone?
We’ve got you. Book a free call with us or hit reply here, and let’s talk about how you can ace your next negotiation.
Here’s to turning enthusiasm into opportunity in 2025!
Best,
Gerta & Alex
Co-founders of YourNegotiations.com