No, no you can't.
If you want your job interview to go south in a hurry, try to be funny.
There’s nothing worse than a candidate who tries to make a joke that falls flat on its face. It’s awkward for the interviewer, and more importantly, it makes the interviewee look like a chump.
Naturally funny people understand that humor is all about timing and opportunity. They stalk their jokes like prey. When the moment is right, they’ll crack a one-liner that kills the room.
If you see an opportunity to make a witty observation during your interview, go for it. Say what you have to say without ego, pretense, or a shred of neediness in your voice. Deliver your observation with confidence and poise. Just make sure that whatever you have to say is as witty as you think it is. Don’t gaze at the interviewer with your big, eager eyes at wait for the laugh, either. It’s not coming.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Although I agree with you in principle (some people just aren’t funny at all–) I’ve always used humor in interviews– to great results– it can be the best “tension easer” on the planet! Just don’t laugh at your own jokes– and don’t mention anything on the interviewers desk– don’t make racial jokes– don’t say anything related to bodily functions– no old people jokes — no marriage jokes—-don’t mention political humor — absolutely NO religious humor,,,,,,,,,, hmmmmm……
yea…. you’re right. Just don’t do it— better to be safe than sorry.
Also avoid: “That’s what she said.” (Though I admit, I have thought this in my head during interviews before…) : )
This is so on point – it’s not a stand-up audition, it’s a job interview.
Wit works. It’s the Twitter of humor – quick, light, then gone.
But making an HR pro or recruiter sit hostage through my personal version of the Super Bowl halftime show? Umm, no, not so much. Ultimately, it wouldn’t do anything to support my candidacy.
Laurie, you’re SOOOO right. Unless you use this joke:
Hey, how do you make a Kleenex dance?
Put a little boogie in it!
It’ll leave ‘em rolling off their chairs.
A little joke can’t hurt as long as it’s not forced or off topic. Just don’t overdo it. You’re there for a serious reason.
And if you do crack a joke, don’t laugh at your own joke if no one else is laughing. That can give off a bad impression, possibly sending a message that you’re nervous or not confident in your ability to land the job.
I was in an interview once for an event organizer position, but the event was an “alternative” kind of thing. When I got there, there were like seven interviewers on the panel instead of the three they’d originally said there would be. One of them said “I hope the larger panel isn’t making you nervous…” and I said “THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!”* and the entire room cracked up. I got the job. Thank god they were all nerds.
A year later I ran into one of the guys who sat on that panel, and he said that he used the same joke in HIS interview, and got the job on the spot. Again, though, I suspect a careful assessment of the nerdiness of the crowd was KEY.
* Star Trek: Next Generation joke. This was awhile ago.
Wow what about the interviewers making jokes? I did that once, and luckily, it went over well but it was just one of those things that slips off the tongue without any control. It was an internal candidate so we all knew each other. The interview committee consisted of my boss, my previous team manager and me. The person who was being interviewed apologized for not being able to look anyone in the eye because she stated that her eyes watered when she looked people in the eye and she didn’t want us to think she was crying. I looked at her and said “Are you an alien? Of course, as soon as I said that, I wished I hadn’t. Luckily, everyone burst out laughing but then I quickly added that I didn’t mean an illegal alien (which really would have got me in trouble) but the outer space kind. Then, still not knowing when to shut up, I told them all about the instances that make my eyes water. Surprisingly, everyone seemed much more at ease after my little outburst of nerdy goofiness. Heck, I always find internal interviews tougher then the kind when you don’t know anyone.
@MattyMat Maybe the lesson is don’t joke around with HR because we have no sense of humor??
@Alex OMG, the Michael Scott approach is a big fail.
@Marsha You’re right. Wit and humor are different. That’s a good way of writing that. Shoot, wish I said it like that. So good!
@Jason Who told you that joke? Elle?
@Rick Most people laugh at their own jokes — including me — and it’s totally awkward for everyone else.
@Renee Weird — but good example and proves that I’m not always right.
I totally didn’t get that joke, though.
@HR Hooligan Hilarious. Also, agreed. When you speak with people you know in a formal way, it can be weird.
@Laurie Dude– Hr people are THE most hardcore, un-funny people in interviews! I think HR thinks it’s their job to make people nervous to see if and when they fuck up— and I’m telling you this from experience. Oh— the notepad!! THE DREADED NOTEPAD!!!!
Hiring managers are half and half— business owners will get the bad jokes rollin’–and are usually more easy going— but if you don’t laugh??— you ain’t gettin’ the job, son!
Love this post – totally agree with the difference between wit and humor and how they can impact an interview very differently from one another. Rock on!
I kill in interviews. Have them rolling in the aisles. I don’t mean to, I try not to, it just happens. I can’t stop being funny. *shrug* And no, it doesn’t work. Almost a year unemployed. I wish I could stop.
Many, many years ago, I was told to relax by an interviewer. So I leant back in my chair, put my hands behind my head and my feet up on his desk. The two guys interviewing me looked at me for a couple of seconds and then burst out laughing.
I got the job, stayed with the company for 13 years, and only left when it got taken over by humourless robots from Planet G. I see my old boss from time to time and he still says it was my blatant chutzspah that got me the nod on the day. That and being a technical whiz as well, of course (not).
Don’t think it would work these days, somehow. Modern HR would NEVER allow the employment of anyone who looked like they might have a sense of humour…
If you have to TRY, it’s probably not funny. And if it is, it’s unlikely spontaneous. And contrived humor in an interview is as awkward and easy to spot as, well….
http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/movies/images/bringdownhouse.JPG
What’s even worse–when a hiring manager tries to make a joke to the candidate and it bombs. We may lose the candidate but I guess the upside is we do get to razz the manager for the rest of their working days. Hmmm on second thought….that may not be so bad.
Not only is should we be aware of the distinction between humour and jokes but the distinction between a “light” and heavy organizational culture. If you can enjoy the interview and have a little fun it may tell you a lot about the organization or at least the people in the hiring process. Sometimes how I respond gives me valuable information about it I want the contract (I am self employed) or not. I have a very “British” type of wit so I am careful when and how I deploy it.