The virtues of humor are widely recognized, including in the workplace, even if it’s rarely utilized in the hiring process. Still, job seekers might do well to be tactful to hiring managers.
Researchers from Imperial College London and Stanford University and the University of Virginia in the US found in a recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin that working people should “show off their humor” during job interviews. Reporting.
The word is a contraction of the American spellings of “humor” and “bragging” and refers to the art of talking about one’s skills or professional accomplishments in a playful or witty manner.
According to the authors, humorous boasting allows job seekers to stand out by talking about their accomplishments without seeming arrogant. “This approach allows you to highlight your abilities and achievements in a way that is perceived as more likable and less threatening,” Jieun Pai, assistant professor at Imperial College Business School, told SciPost. .
The experts reached this conclusion after conducting four experiments. The experiment involved putting volunteers in the shoes of a restaurant owner looking for a new pastry chef. Participants were then asked to rate a transcript of a mock interview with a candidate interested in the position.
One of the questions focused on your proudest moment in your career. Researchers he developed two possible answers. One is very factual and the other incorporates some humorous braggadocio.
As it turned out, the volunteers were more convinced of the latter. In their paper, the researchers explain that boasting humor increases perceived warmth and ability, “two fundamental mechanisms of employer hiring intentions.”
If you’re thinking of trying your hand at boasting humor at your next job interview, keep in mind that this technique can be a double-edged sword. The interviewer will also view your attempts at humor as unprofessional and could work against you.
As a general rule, humor that is harmful to others should be avoided. Forget the racist, misogynist, LGBT-hating “jokes.” Try to use subtle, gentle humor that doesn’t offend anyone.
And above all, be prepared. Humor is an art that can be learned, even if it comes more naturally to some people than others. Don’t be afraid to try it on someone close to you. If they don’t laugh at your witty remark, the hiring manager is unlikely to smile.
Be careful on the big day and pay attention to your interviewer’s nonverbal behavior. If they respond well to your attempt at humorous braggadocio, keep up the good work. If not, it’s best to talk about your skills and professional accomplishments in a more formal tone.