Varun's response was positive and conveyed his willingness to proceed with the interview. However, it could have been more enthusiastic and specific, similar to the benchmark response. A stronger response would emphasize his eagerness to discuss the opportunity, which would better align with the expectations for an IT Director role. For example, he could have said, "Absolutely, this is a great time for me! I'm looking forward to our conversation and eager to explore how my experience aligns with the role."