Does emotional restraint or exuberance get you the job? How and when enthusiasm intensity is related to perceived job suitability

Scholars have identified that interviewers prefer applicants who are both emotionally restrained and exuberant. To reconcile these inconsistent results, we investigated how the magnitude of applicants' expressed enthusiasm influences interviewer perceptions job suitability. In two experimental studies with recruiters in China, show expressing intense as opposed to mild reduces chances be perceived suitable for (Study 1). We further demonstrate expressions do not always undermine their suitability but can also lead a positive interview outcome. find negative consequences explained by decreased appropriateness, whereas driven applicant's attraction organization (PAAO; Study 2). report trait information processing motivation (IPM) way evaluated. Only low IPM interpret less appropriate. propose incorporate social signaling character emotions future theorizing research on nonverbal communication interviews.