Because employers prefer candidates with "passion" over ones without, all else being equal. Which makes sense, given their incentives. So, given that reality,

Because employers prefer candidates with "passion" over ones without, all else being equal. Which makes sense, given their incentives. So, given that reality, employees learn that demonstrating "passion" gets them more job offers than not doing so, so they do what they can to appear "passionate". Which also makes sense, given their incentives. So you end up with a system that looks ridiculous, but it's just groups of people following their respective incentives. It's not that a sensible work ethic isn't enough, it's just that when the next guy is promising more than "enough", you're less likely to get picked.