‘I'm desperate? I'm unemployed, broke, and trying to pay rent’: Job seeker rejected for sounding too eager, with the interviewer saying desperation is a turnoff

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Jan 23, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Being rejected for coming across as too desperate sounds harsh, even if we were talking about a dating situation. But a job?! C'mon! That's just straight up the stuff twilight zones are made of.

Hiring process shenanigans are all over the place nowadays, but this one really gets me worked up. Because now, getting yourself hired tips are not only about not saying you're a perfectionist when being asked about flaws, or any other clear, very reasonable, down-to-earth behavior. Oh no. Now it's about abstract ideas like balancing enthusiasm, confidence, honesty, and desperation. What's next? You just need to live a more virtuous life to get the job?! Just count me out, will ya?

The job market has a funny way of punishing honesty, especially when someone admits they actually want to work. The technical interview went well, the skills were solid, but the real crime was saying out loud that starting soon and really wanting the job made the candidate sound desperate. The feedback was polite, but the message was clear. Enthusiasm is fine, but showing you need the job is a dealbreaker.

Advertisement
  • Woman staring at her phone with a worried expression while sitting on her bed
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Rejected from a job today because I “came across as desperate”

    Just wrapped up a technical interview and got the classic, Youre a strong candidate, but were going to pass.
    via xproforeverx

  • It’s a strange world where being unemployed and broke means you’re expected to act like you don’t care whether you can pay rent or afford groceries. The idea that pretending to be casual about needing work is more appealing than being honest is both ridiculous and exhausting. The candidate isn’t asking for sympathy, just a chance to use their skills and experience. The irony is thick, but the real story is about how the system values detachment over need.

  • Cool, love that for me. I asked what the actual reason was, and the interviewer goes, Not to be rude, but when you said last week, Hey, just so you know, Im ready to start and I really want to work for you guys, it sounded a bit desperate, and that can put some people off.
    via xproforeverx
  • Like... yeah, of course Im desperate? Im unemployed, broke, and trying to pay rent. Am I supposed to act casual about it and pretend I dont care whether I can afford groceries next month?
    via xproforeverx
  • Im literally at the point where Im grinding dumb mobile games on Mistplay to scrape together points for the occasional Amazon gift card.
    via xproforeverx

  • The job hunt is full of these moments, where the rules seem designed to keep people guessing. Admit you want to work, and you’re too eager. Act like you don’t care, and you’re not committed. The truth is, most people would rather be honest about their situation than play games. The best part is watching the feedback loop, candidates get rejected for being too desperate, then told to show more enthusiasm, all while scraping together points from mobile games just to buy groceries.

  • Young woman checking her phone while holding a mug in a bright kitchen
    via Andrej Lišakov

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • If anyone out there is looking for a software engineer with 5+ years of experience, my DMs are open.
    via xproforeverx

  • Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the skills or the experience, it’s navigating the unspoken rules of the job market. The real win is finding a place that values honesty over detachment, and actually wants someone who’s ready to work.

  • I genuinely want to work.
    via xproforeverx
  • supsidekick I'm surprised they gave you an actual reason. Companies are so careful these days. But I would appreciate the transparency and remember: you might be eager to work, but you still need to play cool. It's like dating.
    via xproforeverx
  • AnE1Home I thought these places wanted people to be "passionate" about working for them. You didn't deserve that disrespect.
    via xproforeverx
  • CapucchinoTyler That's such a BS reason, honestly. Wanting the job and being available isn't "desperate," it's just... real life. A lot of interviewers want enthusiasm but only in this weird, polished, fake way, too much honesty makes them uncomfortable.
    via xproforeverx
  • Samurai6991 Hiring people who are NOT desperate? In this economy?
    via xproforeverx
  • Ok_Dot9061 You probably dodged a bullet. Sounds very arrogant and weird on their part. They'll end up hiring someone who doesn't really want to work there and won't last long by his logic. Keep going, you'll land one soon!
    via xproforeverx
  • Ordinary-Anything601 Wow.. honestly? that's crazy. I'm shocked a company would say that. I would take it as they were unprofessional and move along.
    via xproforeverx
  • New_Sherbert2361 It's sad but companies say they don't like arrogant engineers, but the fact is they do.
    via xproforeverx
  • GloomyBake9300 The sad fact of the matter is that people are less likely to help someone who needs help than someone who doesn't seem to need help.
    via xproforeverx
  • EdisynAl Unfortunately job interviews became a stage for acting. Although everybody is aware of this the game still continues to be the same. I am sorry to hear that you got this response. I have been training my ai tool to help people in the interviews. I can give you the free version to give it a try and hopefully get the next one!
    via xproforeverx
  • Proud_Celebration208 This probably won't take away your anger, but I just have to say this place doesn't sound like the best if that's how they treat people. That was way out of line for them to say something like that. So what do they want? They want somebody who isn't. motivated? Absolutely ridiculous. It might be hard to believe now, but somewhere else will really value your enthusiasm. Keep going!
    via xproforeverx

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

employment issues boss workplace-stories hr hiring job interview job application
Scroll Down For The Next Article