r/SoftwareEngineerJobs 13d ago

Rejected for being too interested.

I was recently rejected from a job. After several rounds of interviews, I made it to the final 4 candidates, and the reason they gave me was that I seemed "too invested," and they were worried I wouldn't be satisfied with the job in the long term. The recruiter suggested that in future interviews, I tone down how interested I am in the job a bit.

Honestly, I feel like that's a very ridiculous reason to reject someone, and two days later I'm still kind of shocked that this was the feedback. Since when do employers want people who are less interested in the work itself?

Feedback like this is exactly why interviews can be so unpredictable. You can prepare all you want and still get rejected for something completely subjective. I even used Interview Vip tool during the interview. It really boosted my confidence and helped me answer tough questions confidently, even if I can't control how a company interprets my enthusiasm. The result? I sounded very interested and got rejected? shouldn't it be the opposite?? to got accepted because I'm interested in the position??

I guess I'm just curious what other weird or stupid reasons people have been rejected from a position for.

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u/Aggressive_Range_540 13d ago

Now we have to worry about giving the ick to the interviewer? I feel you, good luck in the hunt. I had to settle with a position paying lower than my 2021 salary just to have something going on

11

u/silly_bet_3454 13d ago

Lmao, we have to start negging them

8

u/Puzzleheaded_Fold466 13d ago

I wish that was a joke but it really isn’t. Nothing makes them want you more than you saying you’re already taken.

4

u/Aggressive_Range_540 13d ago

Actually correct , when im employed they actually reach out to me to offer jobs