How to Demonstrate Enthusiasm for the Job During an Interview
In this article, nine experts, ranging from career coaches to company founders, share their insights on how to demonstrate enthusiasm for the job and company during an interview. From demonstrating enthusiasm through mindful engagement to conveying passion with body language, these professionals provide a variety of strategies to help you stand out in your next job interview.
- Demonstrate Enthusiasm through Mindful Engagement
- Prepare Thoughtful Questions about the Company
- Take Notes and React Positively
- Showcase Knowledge of Company Culture
- Align with the Company’s Mission and Growth
- Express Eagerness to Contribute and Grow
- Research and Express Enthusiasm About the Company
- Remember and Use Everyone’s Names
- Convey Passion with Body Language
Demonstrate Enthusiasm through Mindful Engagement
I believe one powerful way to demonstrate enthusiasm during a job interview is through mindful engagement. This involves active listening, responding thoughtfully to questions, and maintaining a sincere interest in the conversation. The trick is to truly be present and engaged, rather than preoccupied with scripted responses.
For example, I’ve worked with a client to channel his nervous energy into focused curiosity. When he asked insightful questions about the company’s culture, goals, and even challenges, it showed his genuine interest and emotional investment in the role.
However, your enthusiasm isn’t solely communicated through what you say, but how you say it. So, your tone, body language, and engagement level are also important. The way you light up when discussing a particular project, or lean in to learn more about the team, are clear signs of enthusiasm. And interviewers don’t just hear it, they feel it. It’s all about creating a connection that leaves a lasting impression.
Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
Prepare Thoughtful Questions about the Company
Prepare a list of thoughtful questions about the company, its culture, future goals, or any recent developments. Also, be sure to ask questions specifically related to the role, the team, and the person interviewing you. Asking intelligent questions not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also shows that you have a genuine interest in the company, the position, and its success.
Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed
Take Notes and React Positively
The interviewer will first consider you a prospective candidate based on the level of enthusiasm you demonstrate during the interview. Nevertheless, you may expect to be questioned further to determine whether or not your abilities and training are commensurate with the level of enthusiasm you exhibit.
While your interviewer is describing the various departments involved in their organization, you should take notes. Keeping notes demonstrates either that you are thoughtful or that you are able to jot down thoughts on paper or on your gadget.
Look on the bright side of the clever things that catch you off guard or entertain you. People are more able to unwind and enjoy themselves as a result of that move, and the manager would be wise to hire you.
Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv
Showcase Knowledge of Company Culture
One of the best ways to demonstrate enthusiasm for the job during an interview is by showcasing your knowledge of the company culture. It not only proves that you are proactive and serious about the recruiting process, but it also highlights an actual interest in your potential future employer.
Being able to talk about the company values and explain how they align with your own means that you understand that knowing an organization doesn’t only entail having a grasp on the business side of things.
It shows that you did the research on the actual core of the company—the people who work there and what drives them. Having examples of how their values are similar to your own gives the added opportunity of showing the interviewer that you’re a perfect fit for the team.
Maja Kowalska, Community Manager, Zety
Align with the Company’s Mission and Growth
Use examples to align yourself with the company’s mission statement, values, and culture. Go one step further with your research by listening to podcasts, reading articles, and looking at the business and its employees on LinkedIn. Try to find a real connection to the company. This is hard to fake, and you shouldn’t be interviewing for a role at a company whose mission you don’t believe in.
Showcase genuine interest in the growth trajectory of the business. Research recent developments (funding, partnerships, etc.) and inquire about expansion plans. Highlight how you can be an asset to their plans in a genuinely enthusiastic way. This should be genuinely exciting to you!
Ask well-thought-out questions that showcase your interest. It is easy to Google “questions to ask in an interview,” but it comes across as scripted and insincere every time. Take time to digest your research, put yourself in the position of a new employee, and come up with unique and personal questions.
Sadie Sirlin, Head of EC1 Partners Miami, EC1 Partners
Express Eagerness to Contribute and Grow
During the interview, it’s crucial to express your enthusiasm for the job, and an effective way to do that is by demonstrating your proactive and open approach. Do this by asking thoughtful questions about the company’s future plans, projects, and how your role can make a difference.
Let your eagerness to contribute and grow within the organization shine, as it’s sure to leave a lasting impression. To further cement this, share examples of how you’ve gone the extra mile in previous roles or pursued additional learning relevant to the job. A proactive attitude reveals your commitment to personal and professional development and your excitement about becoming an essential part of their team.
When you can emphasize your genuine interest this way, you’re more likely to stand out as a passionate and motivated candidate.
Harry Morton, Founder, Lower Street
Research and Express Enthusiasm About the Company
One way to demonstrate enthusiasm is through thorough research about the company and the role you’re applying for. Understanding the company’s mission, culture, and values, and articulating how these resonate with you, can indicate a genuine interest in the company. Based on your research, you may also express your enthusiasm about any of the company’s products, recent campaigns, or initiatives that particularly impressed you.
Tom McCarron, Co-Founder, Algebra Digital
Remember and Use Everyone’s Names
Learning and saying everyone’s names is one excellent way to demonstrate enthusiasm. The moment you arrive at the interview, learn, remember, and address everyone by their first name.
When you remember names, it demonstrates not just respect and professionalism, but a genuine interest in the business beyond the brief interview. Names matter a lot to people, so this small gesture will go a very, very long way.
Raja Subramanian, GM, Power Wizard
Convey Passion with Body Language
In my opinion, using your body language to convey passion during an interview is a great way to stand out from the competition.
Keep your posture straight, make direct eye contact with the interviewer, and close with a solid handshake. Show genuine interest in the interviewer and their questions by maintaining eye contact and a pleasant demeanor.
Don’t give off the impression that you aren’t interested in crossing your arms or seeming uneasy. Lean slightly forward in your seat to express desire and interest. Communicate your excitement and interest in the position and the organization in a manner similar to that of the interviewer.
Use your body language to communicate your excitement and interest in the position and the organization.
Cindi Keller, Communications Coordinator, The Criminal Defense Firm
