The very mention of a job interview can cause your hands to sweat and thoughts to run. As you’re being questioned about your five-year strategy, you will attempt to appear capable, confident, and charming. But humour is a handy weapon you might be ignoring.
Of course, you do not have to make your interview a stand-up performance. Appropriate, light humour can break the ice, help everyone relax, and leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
Here are three reasons why humour works:
1. It humanises you
Humour shows your character. A well-placed joke or self-aware remark might help you seem genuine and relatable, even while most applicants try to appear polished and professional (read: robotic).
Connecting personally transforms you from being another resumé to someone people will want to work with. Humour says: “I am comfortable in my skin, and hopefully, you will be comfortable around me too.”
2. It relieves pressure – on both sides
Frankly, interviews can be uncomfortable for all. A gentle laugh can lighten the atmosphere and promote a more conversational tone by diffusing stress. Laughter makes people more open, after which the actual discussion can start.
3. It makes you memorable
Interviewers see a dozen applicants or more a day. But who will they likely recall – the one who ends every response with a buzzword, or the one who offers a clever one-liner that makes them smile?
Used correctly, humour helps you stand out from, well, the humourless.
When to inject a little humour
- While engaging in small talk: low-stakes humour works well in icebreakers, introductions, and weather-related remarks.
- When discussing difficulties: a little self-deprecating humour can display humility and tenacity. For example: “Well, that campaign may have been a flop, but I learnt exactly what NOT to do again.”
- When your interviewer looks open: in other words, read the room. If your recruiters are relaxed and telling a few jokes themselves, it is a sure sign you can loosen up a little.
When to pass on a joke
- When addressing critical issues: discussing past wars, corporate ideals, or sensitive circumstances requires seriousness, so avoid the funny.
- When you doubt its relevance and ask yourself, “Will this be OK to say?” – don’t.
- When you want to cover your insecurity: humour should complement your natural flair, not a replacement for solid and thoughtful responses.
Finally, don’t go overboard
Humour in interviews should never be offensive, political, or too sarcastic. Consider eliciting a gentle chuckle rather than going for laugh-out-loud edgy.
The best humour comes naturally. You need not Google “interview jokes” or practise punchlines. Simply let your personality show: be genuine, stay calm, and smile.
Sometimes, all it takes to turn a so-so interview into a terrific one – and perhaps even land you the job – is one shared chuckle.
This article was originally written by Anisa Aznan for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.
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