When you interview with an organization, your number-one goal is to receive an offer of employment. It doesn’t matter if you ultimately accept the offer or you turn it down. The goal is to receive an offer, and that’s one of the reasons why showing passion and enthusiasm is important during the face-to-face interview.
There are also a couple of others reasons. The first reason is that you might interview with the organization again for another position. Employers typically fill multiple positions every year. There might be an opening in the future that you really want. But if you showed no passion or enthusiasm the first time you interviewed with the organization, the hiring manager is less likely to interview you for this new position.
The second reason is that you might interview with that same hiring manager at another employer. People change jobs more frequently these days, and that includes hiring managers. If you interview poorly with an organization, the hiring manager who interviewed you could move to another employer. Then, if you apply for a job with that employer, the hiring manager might remember your poor interview. Once again, they’ll be less likely to interview you for this new position.
The interview is all about personal branding. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make sure that your first impression is the best one you can make. Showing passion and enthusiasm should definitely be part of that impression. It’s a great way to gain an edge in the hiring process, in this current market, and in your career overall.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!